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1 August 2006 ACTIVITY OF JUVENILE TARANTULAS IN AND AROUND THE MATERNAL BURROW
Cara Shillington, Brian McEwen
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Abstract

Despite their notoriety, little is known about tarantulas in their natural environment. Here we describe activity of juvenile tarantulas (Brachypelma vagans) in and around the maternal burrow as well as emergence and dispersal behavior. Juveniles remain within the natal burrow for several weeks and undergo at least one molt after emerging from the egg sac. Small numbers of juveniles are active at night and emerge along with the adult female where they remain close to the entrance of the burrow. Most juvenile activity outside the burrowed occurred in the early morning shortly after sunrise when the female was no longer active or visible at the burrow entrance. We also observed juveniles dispersing en masse from the maternal burrow. Spiderlings moved away from the burrow in lines, following one behind each other.

Cara Shillington and Brian McEwen "ACTIVITY OF JUVENILE TARANTULAS IN AND AROUND THE MATERNAL BURROW," The Journal of Arachnology 34(1), 261-265, (1 August 2006). https://doi.org/10.1636/S05-18.1
Received: 27 January 2005; Published: 1 August 2006
KEYWORDS
juvenile dispersal
natal burrow
tarantulas
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