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Breeding

   

Breeding tarantulas in captivity presents itself enough greater difficulty, and possible to say that only last 10 years they are bred in sufficient amounts, allowing spread them through zoo-trading.

At present time breeding of tarantulas is widespread in Germany, Chech, Great Britain and USA, to a lesser extent in Holland, Australia and Sweden, as well as last several years in countries former USSR (Russia, Ukraine).

Female of Phlogius stirlingi with cocoon (eggsac)Before late 80 years XX century there was known not a single fact of successful breeding of tarantula in captivity. This there was connected with insufficient knowledges of their biology and also not enough amount of speciments of suitable age of different sexes, since not there were good commercial channels of supplies of tarantulas from nature, and hobby of keeping tarantulas in captivity not there was wide-spread.

First tarantulas been born in captivity, there were bred by William Baerg (1938) from the pregnant females, recently caught in nature (wild-caught). And even at present all aspects, factors and conditions of tarantula breeding, defining its success, known far not all. So many discoveries in this area at present can be made directly by that people, which keep tarantulas in captivity and undertake attempts of their breeding.

1984 was sort of critical in breeding tarantulas in captivity and is signified by publishing the book by А.V. McKee, Washington, described technology of breeding of tarantulas, which author perfect and successfully used for a long time (second and third editions follow in the same 1984 and 1986. However, in connection with limiteded circulation, this book inaccessible to greater circle of tarantula amateurs but, however, has served as push to active attempts of breeding tarantulas by collectors.

Female tarantula Phlogius stirlingi with hatched spiderlings of first ageOne of the main problems in breeding tarantulas in captivity consists of that is necessary to have the greater group of the same species of tarantulas of different ages and sexes for possibility of constant breeding that introduces to be problematic because of long lifetime and differences upon the terms of maturations of different sexes (this is connected with particularities of their biology and developments). Since keeping of such a great group is connected with greater expenses, as well as significant expenseses of time uses for care, amateurs, not put before itself purposes of commercial breeding of spiders, start to unite in clubs and societies.

In worldwide computer network Internet many of such organizations created their own sites (look here), as well as are conducted conferences, dedicated to all aspects of keeping, breedings and other problems, connected with hobby of tarantulas. Separate collectors also have their own personal Internet web-pages.

So, You have adult specimens of male and females of certain species, and You were going to breed it at home. What is necessary for this? Are where any differences between the normal tarantula keeping conditions and conditions, which needed to breed them?

Many questions immediately appears beside enthusiast, which is decide to breed a tarantula, but, alas, its impossible to give the unambiguous answers, perfected scheme or clear instructions, which if following, any success will be guaranteed. As a whole, its only possible on the grounds of available experience of different collectors in hobby to establishing the minimum of averaged conditions and requirements, which will allow most approach to supplieded purpose.

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