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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Eighth Eye Blind" data-source="post: 240820" data-attributes="member: 49683">Here's an interesting theory that I've heard - and I personally don't believe a word of it but take it as you will.I've been told that feeding Brachypelma sp. and other types that have red markings on crickets loaded with foods like carrots and sweet potatoes significantly strengthens the red coloration of the spider. I know one person who tried it with a T. vagans and swore that it brought out the red in their spider's butt almost immediately.In theory, at least, this does make a little bit of sense. Carrots and sweet potatoes are both loaded with β-carotene which does turn things, including people who take too much of it, bright orange or yellow. I can certainly see how adding it to spider's diet via a carrot-loaded cricket or worm could enhance a T's coloration.On the other hand, bristle and cuticle are pretty much static features. They don't constantly grow and replace themselves like hair and skin do. Their color shouldn't change in between molts. I can believe that β-carotene might have an impact over time, but I call BS on anyone who says they see a change in their T's coloration over a few days or weeks after starting carrot-loaded crickets. That's just not how invert biology works.So do what you will with that info. I personally feed my crickets carrots because my wife loves them and always has them in the fridge. I hate them so the more the crickets eat the fewer there are for my wife to try and shove on me. It's a win-win for me and the crickets no matter what effect it has my T's. Your mileage and skin color may vary.</blockquote>

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