Do tarantulas sometimes feed like vipers?

[arachbiodude]

I have seen my flame leg pounce on a big cockroach. envenomate it and then let it go to find it eating it later. Rattlesnakes envenomate mice and then track them down. The tarantula could do this with big prey.

 

[WolfSpider]

I believe National Geographic has a YouTube out of a previously evenomated, dead possum baby being dragged off into the night by a T. Stirmi filmed in Brazil.....so, you may be on to something.

 

[Arachnoclown]

When I was much younger and didn't know any better I fed my Theraphosa stimi full grown rats. They never let go...rolled around with them till they were dead. Don't ever try this though...it eventually caused great harm to my spider.

I have however seen a couple small adult Ts attack a hissing cockroach and let go to find it eating it later. I too think your correct. Maybe it's because it's in a small enclosure and knows it will find it later.