What Do Tarantulas Eat?

What Do Tarantulas Eat? Tarantulas primarily eat insects, such as crickets and roaches, but their diet can also include small vertebrates like lizards and mice, depending on the species.

These arachnids are carnivorous predators that rely on stealth and ambush techniques to capture their prey.

Understanding a tarantula’s diet is key to keeping them healthy, especially when they are kept as pets.

The Natural Diet of Tarantulas

In the wild, tarantulas are opportunistic hunters, primarily consuming a diet of insects and other small animals that they can overpower. Their diet may vary depending on the size and species of the tarantula, as well as the habitat they live in. Most tarantulas are nocturnal, using the cover of darkness to stalk and catch their prey.

Insect Prey

Insects make up the majority of a tarantula’s diet. Common prey includes crickets, locusts, roaches, and mealworms. These insects are easy for tarantulas to catch and provide the nutrients they need for growth and health.

• Crickets: One of the most common food sources for tarantulas in captivity and the wild.

• Roaches: Tarantulas can eat various types of roaches, such as dubia and hissing cockroaches, which offer a good source of protein.

Learn more about tarantula species on Wikipedia.

Small Vertebrates

Larger tarantula species, such as the Goliath bird-eating tarantula, can consume small vertebrates, including mice, frogs, and even small birds. However, this is more common in wild tarantulas and is not recommended for pet tarantulas unless supervised by an experienced handler.

• Mice: Live pinky mice are occasionally fed to large tarantulas, though many pet owners prefer to avoid this due to the risk of injury to the tarantula and ethical concerns.

• Lizards: Some tarantulas may also catch small reptiles, depending on their size and environment.

Feeding Schedule for Tarantulas

Tarantulas have a less frequent feeding schedule compared to many other pets, with their requirements varying based on age, species, and size.

Adult tarantulas can often go days or even weeks without food, while younger tarantulas, or spiderlings, need more regular meals to support their rapid growth.

It is recommended to feed spiderlings every 3 to 5 days, juveniles once every 4 to 7 days, and adults approximately once every 7 to 10 days.

Larger species may require even less frequent feeding based on their size and activity levels.

Always remember to remove any uneaten prey from the enclosure within 24 hours to prevent stress or potential harm to your tarantula.

Learn more about proper tarantula feeding schedules on Wikipedia.

What Not to Feed Your Tarantula

While tarantulas can eat a variety of prey items, there are certain foods that should never be part of their diet. Feeding inappropriate prey can lead to health issues or even death in some cases. Foods to avoid:

• Wild-Caught Insects: These can carry pesticides or parasites that may harm your tarantula. It’s always best to source food from trusted suppliers.

• Processed or Dead Food: Tarantulas rely on movement to hunt, and they will rarely eat dead prey unless it was freshly killed. Avoid offering processed or pre-killed food unless absolutely necessary.

• Large Prey for Small Tarantulas: Overfeeding a tarantula large prey can cause unnecessary stress and may lead to injury or illness. Stick to appropriately sized prey based on your tarantula’s size

Nutritional Requirements for Tarantulas

Tarantulas have high protein requirements, and it’s essential that their prey is nutrient-rich to support proper growth and molting, particularly for younger tarantulas during their developmental stages.

One effective way to enhance the nutritional value of the prey is through gut-loading, which involves feeding the insects a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and grains before offering them to your tarantula.

This practice ensures that the tarantula receives vital vitamins and minerals from its food.

Additionally, while tarantulas primarily obtain hydration from their prey, providing a shallow dish of clean water in their enclosure is important for maintaining their hydration, especially after meals.

According to tarantula expert and enthusiast Tom Moran, maintaining a balanced diet for tarantulas is crucial to their health. In his blog, Tom’s Big Spiders, he explains that while crickets and roaches are ideal staple foods, variety in their diet can be beneficial. Rotating different types of insects, such as mealworms or hornworms, provides additional nutrients and mimics their natural hunting conditions.

Common Feeding Mistakes

When caring for tarantulas, it’s crucial to avoid common feeding mistakes that can lead to health issues or stress.

One significant mistake is overfeeding, which can result in obesity, placing strain on the tarantula’s exoskeleton and complicating the molting process.

It’s important to keep an eye on the size of your tarantula’s abdomen and adjust the feeding regimen as needed.

Another mistake is leaving uneaten prey in the enclosure for too long; it’s best to remove any leftover insects after 24 hours to prevent stress.

Live prey, such as crickets, can be particularly harmful, as they may bite or injure a tarantula that is in the delicate process of molting.

Tarantulas do not chew their food as mammals do. Instead, they rely on venom and digestive enzymes to break down their prey’s tissues into a liquid form. Once the prey is liquefied, the tarantula uses its straw-like mouthparts to suck up the nutrients.

Read more about tarantula anatomy on Wikipedia.

Hunting and Feeding Behavior in the Wild

In the wild, tarantulas are opportunistic hunters. They usually rely on stealth, waiting for prey to come close before launching an ambush.

Tarantulas do not spin webs to catch prey, but instead, they rely on their speed and venom to subdue their meals.

Their fangs deliver venom that immobilizes their prey, allowing the tarantula to begin its feeding process.

According to a detailed article from the Smithsonian Institution, wild tarantulas feed on a variety of insects, small mammals, and even amphibians, depending on their habitat. Larger species like the Goliath birdeater have been known to catch and eat birds, showcasing the tarantula’s versatility as a hunter.

Conclusion

Tarantulas primarily eat insects, including crickets, roaches, and mealworms, though larger species may occasionally consume small vertebrates.

In captivity, providing a varied, high-protein diet of appropriately sized insects is key to ensuring their health and well-being.

Whether you’re caring for a pet tarantula or simply fascinated by these arachnids, understanding their dietary needs is essential for their long-term health.

FAQs

Here are some common questions regarding tarantula care.

First, can tarantulas consume fruits or vegetables? The answer is no; tarantulas are exclusively carnivorous and only eat meat-based prey like insects and small animals.

Next, how often should a tarantula be fed? Juvenile tarantulas require feeding every 3 to 5 days, whereas adults typically need to be fed every 7 to 10 days.

Finally, is it okay to offer live mice to my tarantula? Although some larger tarantula species may eat small vertebrates like pinky mice, it’s generally not recommended to feed live prey due to the potential risk of injury to the tarantula.