I introduced a mature male to one of my big girls a couple of nights ago. Thought some of you would like to see how they get together.
This photo shows them just meeting. They will tap their legs on the ground and vibrate to let each other know they are there and interested in mating. When the male matures the only thing he has on his mind is spreading his genes around.
Another one of the ways a female will show she's interested is baring her fangs. The males of this species have little hooks about a third of the way down their leg, from their toes, that can get under and hook the fangs. This is how the male lifts the female up to get to her "sweet spot". The opening on the female is called a gonopore and is located between the carapace and abdomen.
Here you can see the male has the female lifted up and is holding her with the hooks on his first pair of legs. Now he'll start stroking her abdomen with his pedipalps, the first pair of small appendages in the very front of the spider. Her reaction to the stroking sets the tone for what happens next. If she's into it she'll allow him to continue and insert his palpal emboli, his sexual organ located on the end of the pedipalp into her gonopore where he will deposit his sperm.
Here's a view from the side. Right after this shot was taken the male ended their relationship--for now. If the act was successful and sperm was transferred to the female then she'll hold her pose for a few minutes while the male makes a run for it.
I'm happy to say the male will be back. Hope you all enjoyed this. Please feel free to ask any questions.
These are Grammostola pulchra's, Brazilian Black tarantulas. They are the only all black T's and are known for being very docile. A hobby favorite. Thanks.
This photo shows them just meeting. They will tap their legs on the ground and vibrate to let each other know they are there and interested in mating. When the male matures the only thing he has on his mind is spreading his genes around.
Another one of the ways a female will show she's interested is baring her fangs. The males of this species have little hooks about a third of the way down their leg, from their toes, that can get under and hook the fangs. This is how the male lifts the female up to get to her "sweet spot". The opening on the female is called a gonopore and is located between the carapace and abdomen.
Here you can see the male has the female lifted up and is holding her with the hooks on his first pair of legs. Now he'll start stroking her abdomen with his pedipalps, the first pair of small appendages in the very front of the spider. Her reaction to the stroking sets the tone for what happens next. If she's into it she'll allow him to continue and insert his palpal emboli, his sexual organ located on the end of the pedipalp into her gonopore where he will deposit his sperm.
Here's a view from the side. Right after this shot was taken the male ended their relationship--for now. If the act was successful and sperm was transferred to the female then she'll hold her pose for a few minutes while the male makes a run for it.
I'm happy to say the male will be back. Hope you all enjoyed this. Please feel free to ask any questions.
These are Grammostola pulchra's, Brazilian Black tarantulas. They are the only all black T's and are known for being very docile. A hobby favorite. Thanks.