R.I.P. John Bobbit

[softturtle]

Tarantulas, like most arthropods have an "automatic shutoff valve" located at the joints of most leg segments. When damaged the valve closes to prevent exsanguination (death from loss of blood [hemolymph]) The leg will grow back half size next molt, then full size on the subsequent molt. Adult males do not molt though!

How many molts did he go through before being mature? And do they start making a sperm web before or after the last molt?

 

[demandor]

Don't really know accurate count, but if fed well they can mature in about a year.
Sperm web is made after the terminal molt.