Examples
- long-lived females are common in Aphonopelma
- Grammostola females can be very long lived
- Brachypelma females are long-term animals
- males are normally much shorter-lived
Compare the husbandry
Look past colour or ranking and compare the traits that change husbandry: adult size, lifestyle, growth, speed, temperament, defensive tools, visibility and female lifespan.
Plan for the adult
Plan for adult husbandry rather than the size on the current stock list. Work out the final enclosure, substrate depth, watering and safe rehousing route.
UK availability
Treat UK rarity as a moving guide, not a guarantee. Specialist stock, show weekends and small captive batches can change what is easy to find.
Mistakes to avoid
Treating lifespan as guaranteed, assuming size predicts age and ignoring male/female differences.