Tarantula Feeding Guide
How to Properly Feed Your Tarantula for Optimal Health
Introduction
Feeding your tarantula correctly is one of the most important aspects of keeping a healthy pet. Tarantulas are carnivorous predators that thrive on live prey, but understanding their dietary needs, feeding frequency, and safe feeding practices is key to their wellbeing.
This Tarantula Feeding Guide covers everything from prey types and portion sizes to feeding schedules and tips to keep your spider healthy and happy.
What Do Tarantulas Eat?
Tarantulas are obligate carnivores, meaning they exclusively eat other animals, primarily insects and other small invertebrates. Common food items include:
- Crickets — The staple diet for most tarantulas.
- Roaches — Dubia roaches are nutritious and popular.
- Mealworms — Good occasional treats but can be fatty.
- Waxworms — High in fat; feed sparingly.
- Superworms — Larger prey for adult tarantulas.
- Other Invertebrates — Such as locusts or small grasshoppers.
Note: Avoid wild-caught insects due to pesticides and parasites.
How Often Should You Feed Your Tarantula?
Feeding frequency depends on the tarantula’s age, size, and species:
| Tarantula Life Stage | Feeding Frequency |
|---|---|
| Spiderlings | Every 2–4 days |
| Juveniles | Every 4–7 days |
| Adults | Once every 7–14 days |
| Pre-molt | May stop eating for several weeks |
Important: Observe your tarantula’s appetite and adjust feeding accordingly.
How Much Should You Feed?
- Offer prey items roughly 1/3 to 1/2 the size of your tarantula’s body length.
- Avoid prey larger than your tarantula’s body to prevent injury or stress.
- For spiderlings, provide small prey like pinhead crickets or fruit flies.
Feeding Techniques & Tips
1. Live Prey Only
Tarantulas rely on movement to detect food, so live prey is essential.
2. Remove Uneaten Prey
Remove any uneaten insects within 24 hours to avoid stressing or injuring your tarantula.
3. Avoid Overfeeding
Excess food can lead to obesity and dirty enclosures.
4. Offer Water
Always keep a shallow water dish with fresh water in the enclosure.
5. Handling Prey Safely
Use feeding tongs or tweezers to place prey in the enclosure, especially with defensive or skittish tarantulas.
Special Considerations
Pre-Molt and Post-Molt Feeding
Tarantulas often refuse food before molting and for a few days after. Never force-feed during this vulnerable time.
Feeding Defensive or Old World Species
Use tools and caution, as these species can be quick and more likely to bite.
Supplementing Diets
While tarantulas don’t require supplements, some keepers offer occasional calcium dusting on prey for growing spiderlings.
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
- Feeding wild-caught insects that may carry parasites or pesticides.
- Leaving prey in the enclosure too long.
- Feeding prey too large or aggressive.
- Overfeeding, leading to obesity or health issues.
Signs of a Healthy Appetite
- Regular hunting or stalking of prey.
- Eating prey within minutes to a few hours.
- Maintaining good body condition (not too thin or obese).
- Active and alert behavior.
Conclusion
Feeding your tarantula appropriately ensures it grows strong, molts properly, and stays healthy. By providing a balanced diet of live prey in the right amounts and frequency, you’ll enjoy watching your spider thrive.
For more detailed species-specific feeding information, check out our Species Care Guides.
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