I’ve kept a mini horde of Mexican Red Knee tarantulas (Brachypelma hamorii) for over 5 years now.  I currently have two adults, Scarlet and Tito, and two slings/juveniles that are still unnamed because I haven’t been able to determine their sexes yet.

I don’t know why, but Tito has always been my favorite of the bunch.  He’s spicy and basically hates me.  This is only my third post on this site but this will eventually come out as a theme.  The more my animals hate me, the more I seem to love them.  I don’t know what that says about me, I’m sure something.  But I suppose this isn’t the place to analyze that…

I’ve gone back and forth a bit about whether or not I ever wanted to attempt breeding any of my inverts.  Part of me wanted to only keep them as pets.  Then, recently, Tito (my favorite tarantula, remember) molted and matured.  For those who don’t already know, often once a male tarantula reaches full maturity his days are numbered.  Mature males usually only have one thing on their mind and, unfortunately, it’s not food.  Although I continue to offer Tito food regularly, he has not accepted a single meal since his final molt.  Sadly that probably means my favorite spicy little 8 legged friend is most likely nearing the end of his life.

It sucks.  But that’s tarantula biology for you.  I’ll continue offering Tito food, just in case.

Faced with what is most likely the imminent demise of my favorite spider in the world (doesn’t everyone have a favorite spider?) I decided to attempt to let Tito fulfill his ultimate destiny.  To do the one thing left that he wanted to do.  To hopefully make more little Titos for the world to enjoy.

Luckily I also have a large, healthy mature female Mexican red knee – the lovely Miss Scarlet, who is pictured at the top of this post.

Last week Tito and Scarlet met for the first time and by all appearances things went well.  Way to go Tito!  He didn’t even get eaten!  It’s always a good day when your girlfriend decides not to eat you for dinner am I right!?

So now we wait.  Hopefully Scarlet will bless us with an egg sack full of little Scarlet-Tito babies.

I’m sad thinking about potentially losing Tito soon.  I know, but I’ve had him for over 5 years now, after all!  I’m hoping that, in the very least, this breeding works out so I can hold back a couple of little Tito Jrs/Titas.  May the legacy of Tito live on!  I’ll post updates if anything comes of Tito and Scarlet’s rendezvous!