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How to Determine the Sex of a Tarantula

Although there are over 900 species of tarantulas, they all share a few characteristics as they grow older. As younger tarantulas mature into adulthood, several observable differences appear between male and female tarantulas. Certain parts of the coloring scheme, body size and molt patterns offer gender clues. Whether you are attempting to breed a pair of tarantulas or just want to know whether a tarantula is a male or female, knowing where to look can help you determine the sex of any tarantula species.

Instructions

- 1
  Observe the size of the tarantula. Female tarantulas are larger than males and have larger abdomens for reproduction.
- 2
  Look for hooks on the front legs of the tarantula. Adult male tarantulas have hooks to suppress the female tarantula's's fangs during mating.
- 3
  Observe the molting process. Mature female tarantula will have molted skin, known as the exuvium, underneath the abdomen that covers her sperm storage glands. Mature males do not molt.
- 4
  Examine the color of the tarantula. Females have red or orange spots across their backs and abdomens to attract males during mating. Male tarantulas are dully colored, mostly grey, brown or black.

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