Quote:
Originally Posted by tandy4000
Allright, i've got a freind who purchased a tarantula from a biological supply company. He's had her for about 3 months now adn she just layed eggs today. Could she have stored male gametes and fertilized the eggs just a few days ago? Do they need to be fertilized by a male now or does internal fertilization occur? Is there a chance that the eggs are fertile and will develop? If they do develope how should we prepare for spiderlings?
I have no clue on the breeding habits of tarantulas so any and all help will be gladly accepted.
Thanks
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Here's the short version.
If she was recently collected, its very possible the eggs are viable. Male tarantulas inseminate the female via a small opening located between her book lungs on her underside. She stores this sperm in her spermathica.
When she droppes the eggs into the webbing that makes the sac she combines the sperm with the eggs. I've had viable eggs from a female that had been bred 13 months before.
The eggs could be infertile. Generally, a female will care for an eggsac for about three/four weeks before discarding it if it not good. If it is a good sac, the female will continue to care for it. Babies are usually ready to emerge in 60-70 days.
Most keepers of tarantulas will pull the eggsac after 30 days and set it up in a delicup.
There is a large community of tarantula and scorpion keepers at
http://www.arachnopets.com/ Do a search for eggsacs, read through the archives, join, then post your situation. Lots of good folks there to help. Good luck. You have some time. John