Goliath bird eater tarantula

[ValentinLiteratus]

Hello, I got a Goliath 3 days ago and I was told they eat a few large crickets, 2 times a week. So far, in 3 day, he, somewhat intensely, devoured 12 small and 10 large crickets. Is this normal, having come from a vendor's hut? What would you recommend when it comes to feeding a Goliath? (He is about 3 inches in leg span.) Thank you!!

 

[Scoolman]

They will eat what you give them. Be very careful not to over feed this species. They are known for bad molts, and overfeeding is currently thought to contribute to the problem Especially a wild caught specimen being fed to much too fast. You should not feed any more for about 3 weeks and let what it has digest. My big female T stirmi gets 3-4 adult B duiba, or one large hisser or E distanti each month. And she is still quite large.

 

[ValentinLiteratus]

They will eat what you give them. Be very careful not to over feed this species. They are known for bad molts, and overfeeding is currently thought to contribute to the problem Especially a wild caught specimen being fed to much too fast. You should not feed any more for about 3 weeks and let what it has digest. My big female T stirmi gets 3-4 adult B duiba, or one large hisser or E distanti each month. And she is still quite large.

Thank you!!

 

[ValentinLiteratus]

Hi, I have a question about keeping tarantulas warm. At the expo where I bought my Goliath (about 3 inches in leg span) the guy told me to attach a heating pad to one side of the terrarium only. In that case, when the spider wants to be warmer, he will position himself near the heated walls, and vice versa. Is this the case? Thank you!!

 

[Nada]

In most cases no additional heat is needed. If you are using a heat matt It should be on the wall(as opposed to under the tank) to prevent the T from burning itself. But that's only necessary if you're house is 70 or below.

 

[torstrum]

While we're kind of on the topic of feeding, atleast a month ago my T stopped eating and seems to be in premolt. How long exactly can they go like that without food?

 

[Scoolman]

While we're kind of on the topic of feeding, atleast a month ago my T stopped eating and seems to be in premolt. How long exactly can they go like that without food?

Depends on species and age/size.

 

[torstrum]

Depends on species and age/size.

B Emilia, bout 3 inches long

 

[Scoolman]

Could be a couple months.