This statement is based on theory. But having said that I agree if you speed a T though its 3 year slinghood in 8 months you will have shortened its slinghood by 2 years and 2 months. After that if you drop the temps and feed less its adult life will be as long as a T that took 3 yrs to mature. According to the TTKG the power fed T will also be larger as an adult. This again is theory.Windchaser said:This however will shorten the overall lifespan of the tarantula as well.
From what I have read, an arthropod's life span is determined by the total number of instars. Therefore, increasing the frequency of molts will shorten the total life span. In a tarantula that has a life span of 30+ years, is this an appreciable decrease, probably not. In a shorter lived tarantula it make a significant difference. I have heard the theory that power feeding does result in a larger adult speciman, but I have not seen any hard evidence to back this up. Whereas there are many studies that do show a calorie restricted diet does result in an increased life span.David Burns said:This statement is based on theory. But having said that I agree if you speed a T though its 3 year slinghood in 8 months you will have shortened its slinghood by 2 years and 2 months. After that if you drop the temps and feed less its adult life will be as long as a T that took 3 yrs to mature. According to the TTKG the power fed T will also be larger as an adult. This again is theory.
All excellent reasons to get spiderlings.David Burns said:I buy slings because;
1- there is a wider variety of species availiable as slings.
2- the prices are much lower.
3- You can buy multiples ( the prices go down the more you buy).
4- It is fun watching them molt every 3-4 weeks.
5- Captive bred probably don't have parasites.
6- when buying an adult you don't know its age, so it could die of old age in a year or a week.
We agree there. After you slow the feeding and temps the molting will slow and the remaining lifespan will be normal.Windchaser said:From what I have read, an arthropod's life span is determined by the total number of instars. Therefore, increasing the frequency of molts will shorten the total life span. In a tarantula that has a life span of 30+ years, is this an appreciable decrease, probably not. In a shorter lived tarantula it make a significant difference.
I was quoting a respected source. I did state it was a theory.Windchaser said:I have heard the theory that power feeding does result in a larger adult speciman, but I have not seen any hard evidence to back this up.
These studies were done on mammals and is still in the theory stage.Windchaser said:Whereas there are many studies that do show a calorie restricted diet does result in an increased life span.
Many have been done on arthropods as well, including spiders. I am not aware of any that used tarantulas, but several have used spiders.David Burns said:I was quoting a respected source. I did state it was a theory.
These studies were done on mammals and is still in the theory stage.
Actually varying temperatures are a good thing because it provides a season for the tarantula. The increased temperatures will speed up its metabolism, but as long as it is not extreme temperatures (85+), then you should have nothing to worry about.Snipes said:what about high temps but a restricted diet? summer is coming up and it is impossible to keep my room cool. i feed an appropriately sized cricket or mealworm to my t's every week.
I wonder how valid this theory is. TTKG also states that underfed tarantulas will be smaller. Granted, they don't quite specify exactly what underfed is, but based on their recommendation that 6 to 8 crickets a month is sufficient, I would imagine they are talking about a very restrictive diet.David Burns said:These studies were done on mammals and is still in the theory stage.Windchaser said:I have heard the theory that power feeding does result in a larger adult speciman, but I have not seen any hard evidence to back this up.
I was quoting a respected source. I did state it was a theory.
If it hasn't moulted, it won't have grown. Spiders can only grow by moulting, this is how an exoskeleton works.Andy said:I have had a rose for 4-4 months and it hasnt grown noticably. It is still arround 1cm.
Windchaser said:. Whereas there are many studies that do show a calorie restricted diet does result in an increased life span.QUOTE]
Please, for our benefit, cite these studies. Especially the ones regarding arthropods. I am only familiar with a passing story on CNN. Thanks.
Here are a few references that I have:David Burns said:Please, for our benefit, cite these studies. Especially the ones regarding arthropods. I am only familiar with a passing story on CNN. Thanks.Windchaser said:. Whereas there are many studies that do show a calorie restricted diet does result in an increased life span.
Check out the charts at the end of the last link. There they have actual data from experiments as well as additional links.David Burns said:Very interesting. But they are stating what they are trying to prove not that they have proved it. Thanks for providing the info on these particular theories though.