An Overview On Feeding Tarantulas
Tarantulas are one of the most fascinating arachnids in the whole animal kingdom. These chewy spiders include some of the largest and hairiest species (^?? ^) which typify the earthly arachnid form, their abundance and nocturnal activity provoking much scientific interest as well entertainment among scientists, hobbyists And pet owners for decades. The diet of a tarantula largely determines its health and efficiency both in the wild as well as captivity. Regardless of whether you are researching these spiders or keeping them as pets, learning about their diet and how they eat is necessary.
This in-depth guide will explain the eating habits of tarantulas as well as their specific dietary requirements, comparing what they eat in the wild to what you should be feeding your pet. We will also talk about the problems, unique dietary needs and some of the fascinating ways that tarantulas feed.
What Do Tarantulas Eat?
They belong to the eight-legged order that eats other living animals, hunting for them far and wide.(()=>{ [Read: How tarantulas replace pancreatic cells to make more venom] ⇒ recently reported on an interesting twist in how a type of spider can regrow specific tissues.] They eat mostly insects and small arthropods in the wild. Larger species, however, may eat small vertebrates such as birds and lizards. So, what do tarantulas eat in the wild and as pets? Let's examine this issue more closely.
Tarantulas' Diet in the Wild
When they are in the wild, tarantulas are also opportunistic eaters, that prey on different species of animal based on the size of tarantula and their living space. Here are some examples of the types of food sources that wild tarantulas eat.
Invertebrates and Arthropods: Insects
The most common type of food a tarantula eats is insects, such as crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, some varieties of spiders. The common, prevalent little critters of most tarantula abode doesn't give those pretty together a lot to go on, nutured and watered by this hair like sustance.
Small Vertebrates
Though quite rare, larger tarantula species such as the goliath birdeater and other theraphosids are capable of hunting small vertebrates as well, including frogs, lizards, and even small birds. Nevertheless, it must be repeated that these cases are exceptional and only take place in those specimens of tarantula which possess enough size to hunt for this type of prey.
Larger Prey
Tarantulas have been documented to consume small mammals or amphibians where available. Although these are exceptional cases they show the adaptable nature of tarantulas as hunters.
Pet Tarantulas' Diet
Because pet tarantulas are completely dependent on humans for food, it can be very different from hunting in the wild. Therefore, it is essential for pet owners to feed their tarantulas a varied diet that closely resembles what they would eat in the wild. The Top 11 Pet Tarantula Foods
Crickets
Crickets are by far the easiest and most frequently fed to pet tarantulas. They contain a great balance of protein, and are too small to make a threat to your tarantula.
Mealworms & Superworms
These worms are a great food choice. They can be fed in moderation, and although they just as high in protein care must taken to insure your pet does not get obese from the fat these helpings provide.
Dubia Roaches
A staple for many seasoned tarantula keepers because of their size, nutrative value and cheap to breed. Some insects are also less of a risk to the tarantulas because they do not harm them while feeding like some other prey.
Larger Food
Some tarantula owners will actually feed their pets prey that are much larger such as small mice or other insects. On the other hand, some stress or health issues can be encountered for a spider with practices on feeding vertebrates to tarantulas in captivity being not commonly recommended.
Why Diet Is Important To Pet Tarantulas
Diet — A balanced diet is very important for the health of a tarantula, especially if it happens to be in captivity. Providing the proper diet for you tarantula can have a big impact on its growth, lifespan and molting periods. Diet can mean life or death for your pet tarantulas Here are reasons why diet is so important for your pet tarantulas:
Dietary Needs
Tarantulas need a diet high in protein for energy consumption and to allow them to molt properly. If they are fed enough protein from their food, it will help them to grow strong exoskeletons and also aid in general health.
Adult Tarantula Molting
Adult tarantulas molt to grow by shedding their old exoskeleton. If your tarantula is about to molt, they may go for days or even weeks without eating. Good nutrition helps them to have the energy they need to molt properly.
Health Problems
Any tarantula that goes without food for a long stretch of time might be in bad health, either due to stress or an improper environment. Keeping a close eye on their feeding will also pick up issues sooner rather than later.
How Often To Feed Tarantulas
How long between feeds depends on new world or old world, age of slings age of A geniculata, also how big are they and if female. Set at about 300. Overfeeding results in obesity, and underfeeding results in malnutrition. What are some feeding guidelines for frequency to follow based on different life stages?
Spiderlings (Young Tarantulas)
Spiderlings eat pretty often, particularly for juvenile stages ils. They should be fed once every 2-3 days with small prey such as pinhead crickets or micro worms.
Mature Tarantulas
As an adult, tarantulas have the ability to fast for longer periods of time due to their slower metabolisms. For an adult tarantula, feeding once a week, or even only once every two to three weeks is usually sufficient.
Older Tarantulas
The metabolic rate of tarantulas slows with age. It's not unusual for an older tarantula to go a few weeks without eating, especially as they have less and less need of large amounts of food (and most will refuse food entirely during cooler months or when a molt is approaching).
Life Is Food Service: How Tarantulas Feed
One of the things that make them so unique is their way of eating, which unlike many animals (more about this later) they don't chew! Mammals mouth with lips, but tarantulas bite prey and inject venom to digest it externally.
Immobilizing Prey with Venom
Once they have a firm grasp on their prey, tarantulas will move in and use their fangs to inject venom into the animal, it paralyzes or kills them almost instantaneously. The venom even has the digestive enzymes which start to dissolve the tissues of the prey from on the inside. This makes it easier for the tarantula to ingest the liquid nutrients.
External Digestion
Tarantulas Molt – They Are Unable To Chew Their Food! In contrast, it release digestive fluids that dissolve the prey into liquid which they siphon. Having liquefied the meal, it wets its sucking stomach into the mouth and draws back up a sort of soup for the tarantula to ingest whilst leaving an empty exoskeleton behind.
Hydration for Tarantulas
Their food is a primary source of hydration, but tarantulas can and do drink water in captivity. A shallow water dish should be kept in the tarantula's enclosure as they can draw vital moisture from it, this is imperative especially when placed in drier environments. Just make sure the bowl is shallow or you run the risk of drowning.
Species-Specific Diets
Terrestrial Tarantulas
These ground dwellers, like Brachypelma species, generally catch crawling insects such as crickets, beetles and grasshoppers.
Arboreal Tarantulas
The Avicularia genus is the most popular genus for arboreal tarantulas; Avicularias are a tree-dwelling species that likes to snatch pests such as moths and flies from their high perches.
Unique Species Considerations
Other more exotic species like Poecilotheria can have metabolisms very quick as well and may need to be fed accordingly. For these animals, a diverse insect protein-heavy diet is crucial to their overall well-being.
Common Feeding Challenges
Sometimes, feeding your pet tarantula can be a little tricky; especially for beginner tarantula owners.
Not Eating
If your tarantula suddenly stops eating, it could be about to molt. Tarantulas typically go without eating for several days to as long as a few weeks before molting. If a tarantula remains uneaten for long periods, double-check the environment for correct temperature and humidity or check if it is stressed.
Feeding Too Much and Not Enough
A too-large serving can mean your tarantula will get fat, which can lead to obesity problems like difficulty moving or molting. On the flip side, underfeeding can lead to malnourishment and slow growth and development. You can monitor your tarantula's abdomen size to see if it is overfed (fat abdomen) or underfed (thin and shrunken abdomen).
When Prey is Not Entirely Eaten
If your tarantula doesn't eat the prey offered (particularly live insects such as crickets), remove them from the enclosure after 24 hours. In some cases, uneaten prey may stress or injure a molting tarantula, so it is critical to maintain the safety of your environment.
Tarantula Feeding and Diet FAQs
How Frequently Can I Feed My Tarantula?
Feed juvenile tarantulas every 2 to 3 days, while adults should be fed once a week or every two weeks.
What Can Tarantulas Eat? Can They Eat Mice?
While larger species may eat smaller vertebrates (e.g., mice), this practice is generally not recommended for pet tarantulas because of stress and health concerns.
Can I Feed My Tarantula Wild-Caught Insects?
Wild-caught insects could be infected with parasites from pesticides that your tarantula might ingest. Choose to feed commercially bred insects to keep them safe.
My Tarantula Won’t Eat!
Often tarantulas won't eat just before molting or if they are stressed. Ensure their habitat is well suited for them and check for signs of molting.
Conclusion
Tarantulas are intriguing creatures with an interesting feeding behaviour (because after all, these things evolved to be top predators in their environment). It is essential to provide proper nutrition to maintain them healthy and active whether in the wild or captivity. Knowing what tarantulas eat, how frequently they need to be fed, and common feeding obstacles can prepare you to successfully keep your pet tarantula properly nourished.
About Zafeer Wains
Zafeer Wains is the dedicated mind behind PetInsights. With five years of experience in pet care and animal behavior, Zafeer brings a fresh and insightful perspective to the blog. His passion for animals was ignited when he rescued his first kitten at the age of ten, a moment that deeply influenced his commitment to animal welfare.
Throughout his career, Zafeer has worked in various veterinary clinics and pet shelters, gaining extensive hands-on experience in caring for a wide range of animals. His background includes not only practical pet care but also significant time spent on understanding animal behavior and fostering healthy pet-owner relationships.