Did you know that tarantulas can survive up to two years without food?
These fascinating creatures are some of nature’s most resilient pets, but that doesn’t mean we should test their limits! Whether you’re a new spider parent or a seasoned keeper, understanding the right feeding schedule is crucial for your tarantula’s health and happiness.
Let’s explore exactly how often these eight-legged friends need their meals.
Overfeeding a tarantula can lead to health problems, including difficulty molting. Find the perfect feeding schedule based on your spider’s life stage.
The Quick Scoop (Because Who Doesn’t Love a Spider Snack Schedule?)
Just like how you wouldn’t serve a toddler a whole pizza, different tarantulas need different-sized meals at different times:
- Baby tarantulas (the tiny tots): Every 2-3 days (they’re like teenagers – always hungry!)
- Young tarantulas (the middle schoolers): Every 4-5 days
- Adult tarantulas (the grown-ups): Every 7-10 days (they’re basically like my uncle on a diet – surprisingly disciplined)
As my friend Dr. Sarah Parker from the American Tarantula Society always says (usually while rolling her eyes at my spider dad jokes): “The biggest mistake new owners make is feeding their tarantulas too much.
A healthy tarantula can go weeks without food.” — Speaking of which, my Luna once went on a two-week “hunger strike” because I rearranged her enclosure. Talk about being dramatic!
The “How Much” Chart (Or as I Call It, The Spider Buffet Guide)
| Tarantula Size | Food Size | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny (under 1 inch) | Very small cricket | Every 2-3 days |
| Medium (1-3 inches) | Medium cricket | Every 4-5 days |
| Large (over 3 inches) | Large cricket | Every 7-10 days |
Is Your Spider Hungry? Here’s How to Tell!
Just like how I get cranky without my morning coffee, tarantulas show signs when they’re ready for a snack. Look for:
- Standing near their water dish (the spider equivalent of raiding the fridge)
- Moving around more than usual (spider zoomies are real!)
- Quickly catching food when offered (faster than me grabbing the last pizza slice)
- Web spinning at night (late-night home renovation, anyone?)
When to Skip Dinner (Yes, Sometimes Even Spiders Need a Break)
Don’t feed your eight-legged friend when:
- They’re about to molt (imagine trying to eat while taking off a full-body sweater)
- Just molted (give them a week – even spiders need recovery time)
- Refuses food (sometimes they’re just not in the mood, like my cat with expensive cat food)
- Has a very large abdomen (spider version of “I’m full, thanks!”)
Tom Wilson, who’s been breeding tarantulas longer than I’ve been alive (20 years!), shared this gem: “If your tarantula stops eating, don’t worry right away. It’s usually getting ready to molt.” — Just like when I say I’m not hungry because I secretly ordered takeout! 😉
Spider Menu (AKA What’s For Dinner?)
Safe foods include:
- Crickets (the spider equivalent of fast food)
- Dubia roaches (fancy dining)
- Mealworms (like spider spaghetti)
- Superworms (the ultimate spider comfort food)
Pro Tips from a Reformed Spider-Phobic
- Remove uneaten food after 24 hours (no one likes leftovers that run around)
- Use feeding tongs to stay safe (your fingers aren’t chopsticks!)
- Keep records of when you feed (I use my phone’s calendar – “Luna’s Lunch” is a regular reminder)
- Watch the abdomen size – it should be a bit bigger than the head part (think of it as spider portion control)
Special Occasions in Spider Life
Your tarantula might change their eating habits during:
- Hot weather (eats more – summer bodies are made in winter, right?)
- Cold weather (eats less – spider hibernation mode)
- Molting time (doesn’t eat – beauty sleep is important!)
- Breeding season (females eat more – eating for two… hundred?)
Want to dive deeper into the world of tarantula keeping? Check out the World Tarantula Society and this amazing beginner’s guide to tarantula keeping.
Remember: Every tarantula is unique, just like how my Luna refuses to eat on Mondays (I swear she can read calendars). A healthy tarantula will have:
- Clear eyes (all eight of them!)
- Good movement (spider parkour is a thing)
- Normal web making (spider interior decoration)
- Regular eating habits (unlike my stress eating)
And as Dr. Parker always reminds me (usually while watching Luna do her dinner dance): “It’s better to underfeed than overfeed. A fat tarantula is not a healthy tarantula.” — Words to live by, even for us humans!
