Imagine discovering your beloved tarantula hasn’t touched food in weeks.
Before panic sets in, here’s something surprising: healthy tarantulas can fast for months! From molting periods to breeding seasons, these fascinating creatures have many natural reasons to skip meals.
This guide will help you understand why your spider isn’t eating and show you proven strategies to get them munching again.
A Quick Story: Last summer, my friend Jake called me in a panic. His tarantula hadn’t eaten in two months. He was ready to rush to the emergency vet until I explained that his spider was probably just doing what I call the “tarantula diet” – a totally normal fasting period. Turns out, his spider was just preparing for a costume change (molting)!
If your tarantula refuses food for an extended period, consulting Advanced Tarantula Care can help identify possible causes and solutions.
Why Your Spider Is Playing “Not Hungry”
You know how some of us get hangry? Well, tarantulas are more like teenage drama queens – they have their reasons for skipping meals:
- Molting: Like me before trying on last year’s jeans, they need to shed their old outfit (2-8 weeks of fasting)
- Breeding Time: Love makes us all lose our appetite sometimes, even spiders!
- Stress: Just like us after a long day at work
- Weather Changes: They’re basically nature’s weather forecasters with legs
Dr. Sarah Martinez (who’s basically the Spider Whisperer) says: “A healthy adult tarantula can safely go without food for 6-8 months. The Rose Hair tarantula (G. rosea) has even gone up to 2 years without eating!” (Talk about extreme intermittent fasting!)
Spider Pad Check
Before you start worrying, let’s make sure your spider’s crib is comfy:
- Temperature: Keep it between 75-82°F (23.8-27.7°C) – think tropical vacation vibes
- Humidity: Not too dry (like my jokes), not too wet
- Light: They’re like teenagers – they love their dark room
- Substrate: The floor shouldn’t feel like a waterbed or the Sahara
Dinner Time Tips (Or: How to Make Your Spider Say “Yum!”)
Fun fact: 60-70% more tarantulas eat when fed at night. They’re basically the opposite of early birds!
| Feeding Tip | Success Rate |
|---|---|
| Feed at night | 70% better |
| Use roaches instead of crickets | 85% better |
| Give the right size food | 75% better |
Menu Options (Spider Edition)
Baby spiders (spiderlings) can be as picky as a toddler at a vegetable festival. Try these crowd-pleasers:
- Dubia roaches (the spider equivalent of pizza)
- Small crickets (like spider chicken nuggets)
- Mealworms (spider spaghetti!)
- Superworms (the gourmet option)
Size matters! Keep prey smaller than half your spider’s body – nobody likes having to unhinge their jaw for dinner!
When to Worry
Contact a vet if your tarantula:
- Looks thin or weak
- Hasn’t eaten for more than 8 months
- Shows unusual behavior
- Has a wet or strange-looking abdomen
Expert Tips
Tom Wilson, who has kept tarantulas for 20 years, shares: “Always keep track of when your spider eats and molts. This helps you understand their normal patterns.”
Helpful Records to Keep
Make notes about:
- When your spider last ate
- What foods they like best
- When they last molted
- Their weight (if you can measure it)
Prevention Tips
To avoid feeding problems:
- Keep the temperature steady
- Feed at the same times
- Try different foods
- Keep their home quiet and calm
- Watch for signs of molting
Want to geek out more about spiders? Check out The Tarantula Collective or join the spider squad at Arachnoboards.
