Mastigoproctus giganteus growth rate?

[static416]

I just got a Mastigoproctus giganteus and its quite small. The guy that bought it from said that it had not molted yet. So I'm wondering, how fast do these things grow? Am I looking at it being full size in a month? Or like 2 years? Anyone know?

Thanks
Eric

[Bob]

They grow very slow and probably molt once a year. They hibernate in the winter and molt at that time. I think the females will lay eggs at this time too.
Make sure you give it deep substraight. It will burrow under this time of year if it hasn't already ! They eat like pigs :D

[Steven]

They grow very slow and probably molt once a year. They hibernate in the winter and molt at that time. I think the females will lay eggs at this time too.
Make sure you give it deep substraight. It will burrow under this time of year if it hasn't already ! They eat like pigs :D

just how long do they stay underground ?
i haven't seen mine for 2 months orso :?
and i don't wanna dig them out,... but i'm getting worried :o

[Wade]

I've had them stay underground for 4 or 5 months at a stretch, especially the young ones. They molt in sealed burrows, so it's best not to disturb them if you can help it! I keep mine on 2-3" of slightly moist substrate (a sand/peat mix) with a flat rock on top. Under this rock, there are smaller rocks burried in stratigic positions to prevent the big rock from collapsing if the 'roon undermines it completely. Using this system, I am usually able to peek under the rock to see them without messing up the burrow. I used to use deeper substrate, but then they're completely inaccassable.

Steven, have you tried to hold the rearing container over your head and look at them from the bottom? mine will ususally construct a chamber on the very bottom and clear away all the soil and be plainly visible from that angle. A small flashlight might help.

If the time to maturity is less than five years i'd be very surprised. I'm rearing some young ones myself I collected in '02 that were about an inch long and now they're maybe 1.5 - 2" long with at least two molts to go to maturity.

Wade