Crossbreeding, hybridization, or breeding two different tarantulas is the heated and controversial topic in the tarantula hobby, and causes many debates and reactions. In this post, you will read about tarantula hybridization, if you can crossbreed tarantulas, if you can breed two different tarantulas, and if you can breed tarantulas from the same sac. This post is a discussion and my personal view on the matter, so doesn’t represent everyone else’s opinion.
Can you breed two different types of tarantulas?
A simple answer is no. You should not try to breed two tarantulas of different species and genera (pl. of genus) in order to get some sort of a new tarantula type with interesting colors or other features.
Crossbreeding tarantulas is a wrong practice because it ruins bloodlines of each species. This means that if you mix tarantulas with completely different genetics, you contribute to causing pollution in species’ DNA.
What is more, if you try to breed tarantulas of different species or genera, they might simply not mate. Tarantulas might not recognize each other as potential mates, thus not mate at all as a result. Breeding tarantulas to begin with is not easy, especially being difficult with some species.
Opinions on crossbreeding tarantulas
While some people believe it is morally, philosophically and ethically wrong to crossbreed tarantulas, some believe it might be a good thing. These people believe that it can help us learn more about tarantula genetics, as scientific knowledge in this area is limited.
They also believe that we could achieve tarantula hybrids that have better physical features, such low to non-irritating bristles. Or simply, achieve desired tarantula body sizes, legspan and color patterns. Of course, that is provided that tarantula hybrids stay fertile and healthy.
In science, crossbreeding various animals has produced both positive (generally for people’s own needs and domestication), and negative results. Many hybrid animals become infertile, weak or develop health issues (with breathing, bones etc.).
However, if we consider that hybridization occurs naturally in the wild, we can say that it doesn’t always lead to tragic events. Hybridization occurs between animals and plants, especially when same species are not available for mating. In this case, it can be that animals breed to save their bloodlines no matter what, and survival of the fittest comes into play. But does this justify hybridization in captivity?
Breeding two different tarantulas – implications
But do we have to crossbreed tarantulas in captivity intentionally, where we do have a choice? And what benefits does it bring us? While by doing it in a regulated manner, tracked by scientists to produce important information, we could learn important information on arachnid genetics. However, crossbreeding and selective breeding by tarantula enthusiasts is often done for a sheer interest in developing new characteristics and for profits.
If you think about it, even one tarantula female might lay hundreds to thousands of eggs per egg sac (such as in a salmon pink/LP), creating a big negative impact if offspring is crossbred. And the effect is already felt – sometimes buying a tarantula might mean that you will find out it’s a hybrid of completely different species. That’s why pure breeding, note keeping, correct labeling are important practices in tarantula breeding.
Also, make sure not to mistake breeding tarantulas same as breeding reptiles, for example. While there is a lot of selective breeding in reptiles, such as leopard geckos or ball pythons, they are the same species. Crossbreeding tarantulas would mean that you mix tarantulas of different species.
Unintentional crossing is also a big problem – new keepers sometimes advertise their tarantula species for breeding, but note wrong species. So, it’s important that new keepers get advice from experienced keepers and breeders on identifying their tarantula species and breeding in general.
What you also have to remember is that hybrids are not welcome in the tarantula hobby by those that love and respect these animals. If they see someone selling hybrids, they are not likely to buy or even further breed these tarantulas.
Unfortunately, people who are new to hobby or don’t want to listen will buy these tarantulas. This way, they further contribute to pollution of their genetics. And then, this can cause a rise in a demand of wild-caught specimens that are ‘pure’/’wild type’. This puts further stress on animals in the wild. And, on top of that, increases numbers of people who will catch and collect these tarantulas from the wild.
Another thing to remember that some tarantula species that have been crossbred, have produced offspring that were fertile. So do not think that hybrid tarantulas won’t produce offspring. They might, and that will only further pollute the gene pool.
Can you breed two tarantulas from the same sac?
While inbreeding is done by some tarantula keepers, it needs to be avoided. Inbreeding, or crossing sibling tarantulas might lead to offspring that carry mutations. Plus, they might have much weaker fertility and health issues down the line (issues with growth, molting and more).
Having said that, male and female tarantulas from the same egg sac often can’t breed anyways. That’s because males often mature much faster than females. And then they die before a female tarantula reaches sexual maturity or is ready to mate at all.
You should avoid breeding tarantulas from the same egg sac – only second, third cousins and further can be bred. However, it is best to only bred unrelated tarantulas. That’s why every keeper that thinks of breeding should keep pedigree records.
Conclusion – why tarantula hybridization is not good
To conclude and reiterate – crossbreeding should not be done in tarantulas. Not only many species of wild tarantulas are already hybrids, but crossbreeding them brings no value at all. Most hybrid tarantulas do not possess better looks or features of their parents, and not all are infertile.
Fertile hybrids mean that even more gene pollution will happen. On top of that, it is bad for taxonomy, as there are already lots of problems with naming tarantulas and ensuring they are what they are. If you ever get hybrids intentionally or by mistake, do not breed them further. Tarantula hybridization remains a problem, and we don’t know where it will lead.