Feeding Question

[BigTGirl93]

I just purchased a G. Rosea on the 6th, so about a couple of days ago. I really think it is a matured male, but don't hold it against me. But when I got him and transferred him to his permanent tank he was posing a lot of threat displays and he would tap my tongs. Its like he would literally come after my tongs. I have NEVER seen this before. I know your not suppose to feed them right away but I dropped two crickets in there and he took both of them out in no time, and proceeded to spin so silk on the sub floor. He even did a little happy dance. The next day, he did the same thing, just came after my tongs, so I once again dropped a meal worm this time and BAM he took it out too! Yesterday same thing, he ate another cricket!! He has consumed 4 meals in a couple of days. Is this healthy? Did the place my mom bought him from ever feed him? Should I give him a break of food? Or keep offering it? Just need a little help to make sure my T's are happy and healthy. Thank you all!

 

[Sabeth]

A tarantula's instinct is to grab whatever prey is nearby, since it has no way of knowing when its next meal will come along. This instinct will drive a T to eat and eat in captivity since the feast never ends! If it is fed enough, though, there will come a point where it just won't be able to eat anymore. A lot of pet Ts actually end up obese, which is probably not healthy! Tarantulas can thrive just fine on 6-8 crickets per month. This is the regimen I use for my B. smithi, although if I have a few extra crickets I don't want to see go to waste, I will just toss them in for her. I've also had her come after my paintbrush like a mad bull. Seriously, she collides with it and it actually makes a noise. She's moving too fast for me to see if her fangs are ever involved, but her freaky behavior is enough to keep me from ever touching her with a bare hand before first testing her with some object that will put some distance between us!

 

[BigTGirl93]

A tarantula's instinct is to grab whatever prey is nearby, since it has no way of knowing when its next meal will come along. This instinct will drive a T to eat and eat in captivity since the feast never ends! If it is fed enough, though, there will come a point where it just won't be able to eat anymore. A lot of pet Ts actually end up obese, which is probably not healthy! Tarantulas can thrive just fine on 6-8 crickets per month. This is the regimen I use for my B. smithi, although if I have a few extra crickets I don't want to see go to waste, I will just toss them in for her. I've also had her come after my paintbrush like a mad bull. Seriously, she collides with it and it actually makes a noise. She's moving too fast for me to see if her fangs are ever involved, but her freaky behavior is enough to keep me from ever touching her with a bare hand before first testing her with some object that will put some distance between us!

Thank you! I really appreciate it! I thought the same thing too, I don't want him to be obese, but then again I want him to be full and comfortable and not always pacing for food. I guess I have to get to know him more and he has to get to know me too. And I always test my T's out whenever I am in their territory, its just respect. Thank you again!