How and When to Feed a Tarantula

Tarantulas are fascinating creatures, but they can also be a bit intimidating, especially when it comes to feeding them. If you're new to tarantula keeping, you may be wondering how and when to feed your new pet.

What to feed a tarantula

Tarantulas are carnivores, so their diet should consist of live insects. Some good feeder insects for tarantulas include crickets, roaches, mealworms, and superworms. Avoid feeding your tarantula wild insects, as they may carry parasites or diseases.

How often to feed a tarantula

The frequency of feeding will depend on the age and size of your tarantula. Juvenile tarantulas should be fed every 2-3 days, while adult tarantulas can be fed every 7-10 days. It's important not to overfeed your tarantula, as this can lead to obesity and other health problems.

How to feed a tarantula

There are two main ways to feed a tarantula:

• Hand-feeding: This involves dropping a feeder insect into your tarantula's enclosure. This is the most common way to feed tarantulas, but it can be a bit dangerous, especially if you have a large or aggressive tarantula.

• Tongs: This involves using tongs to pick up the feeder insect and drop it into your tarantula's enclosure. This is a safer way to feed tarantulas, but it can be more difficult, especially if you have a small or shy tarantula.

Once you've chosen a feeding method, simply drop the feeder insect into your tarantula's enclosure. Your tarantula will likely kill and eat the insect immediately. If your tarantula doesn't eat the insect right away, remove it from the enclosure after a few hours.

Tips for feeding a tarantula

Here are a few tips for feeding a tarantula:

• Make sure the feeder insect is the appropriate size for your tarantula. The feeder insect should be no larger than the tarantula's abdomen.

• Avoid feeding your tarantula injured or diseased insects.

• Do not feed your tarantula after it has molted. Tarantulas are vulnerable after molting and need time to harden their new exoskeleton.

• If your tarantula refuses to eat, don't worry. Tarantulas can go for long periods of time without eating. Simply try feeding them again in a few days.

If you have any questions or concerns about feeding your tarantula, be sure to consult with a veterinarian or experienced tarantula keeper.

Thank you for reading,

Chris