C. cyaneopubescens - When do they get their adult color?

At about 4", according to the Canadian penny


Egg


Post embryo/EWLs


First instar


First instar, late stages, ready to molt


Second instar


Third instar


Fourth instar


Fifth instar


Sixth instar


Seventh instar


Eighth instar


Ninth instar


Tenth instar


I've been keeping track of the same individual from about 5[SUP]th[/SUP] instar (previous instars were from other individuals) from a bunch I hatched out back in 2011. My intention was to document their color change as they grew.
At 10[SUP]th[/SUP] instar, she looks pretty much like her mum, though her carapace could darken a bit. I don't foresee any more drastic changes so I think this may be the it, though I may still continue to see that penny get even smaller
This was previously part of this thread, but I thought it deserved it's own thread.

Fun fact: The majority of her siblings that are with me are still barely out of their sling clothes at 2".

Very nice size/coloration comparison. Looks like it decided to take a break from all that growing between the 5th and the 6th instars. :sarcasm:

I had no idea a penny went through so many life stages! A bit strange to use a spider as a size comparison though.

(Gorgeous girl. How'd she grow so much faster than her siblings?)

2 things... 1) i THOUGHT this sounded familiar with ur name attatched XD

2) ugh just ordered 2 gbb and your making me want them here quicker! and they wont be here till wed :'(

This is amazing to see all the color changes! Judging by this I'd say mine is a 7th or 8th instar.

Cavedweller said:

I had no idea a penny went through so many life stages! A bit strange to use a spider as a size comparison though.

Click to expand...

...:laugh:...

That's why I promote the GBB when someone asks "what should I get next"?

Good work Hobo.

I wish there were chronological pictures like this for all species. I should have started something similar when I first got my slings.

Cavedweller said:

I had no idea a penny went through so many life stages! A bit strange to use a spider as a size comparison though.

(Gorgeous girl. How'd she grow so much faster than her siblings?)

Click to expand...

Originally she was the biggest of her siblings, at least one molt ahead of the rest. After I decided to document her growth, I started to feed her more than the others (they get fed sparingly).

Hobo said:

Originally she was the biggest of her siblings, at least one molt ahead of the rest. After I decided to document her growth, I started to feed her more than the others (they get fed sparingly).

Click to expand...

With the sparse feedings does that encourage them to take bigger meals than you'd normally give if you fed them every week?

Jones0911 said:

With the sparse feedings does that encourage them to take bigger meals than you'd normally give if you fed them every week?

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Most tarantulas (GBBs especially) will take as large a prey item as they think they can handle safely, regardless of feeding frequency or amount. They are wired to do so, and cannot afford to be picky. If they can subdue it, it's lunch!

That said, I do not typically feed them larger than normal meals.

This is amazing Hobo, thanks for sharing. I'm waiting for a sac on my GBB girl as we speak so it's good to know what I have to look forward to should everything go well.

Ha! Thanks Hobo - that kinda leads me to believe that most species will in fact start gaining adult color (not full, but changing into) at 9th instar! I've witnessed this with all my Avicularia species and haven't payed too much attention to the others.

Question to you guys out there: Would you say this is true? Can you confirm / give examples where it's not the case?