"Incompetent" feeder (?)

[Papaya]

I have a sub adult B Smithi Im fairly certain is male. I keep dropping crickets in front him and his response is instantaneous, pouncing, and "wrapping" the prey.. For the last couple of months Ive noticed that a few seconds after seemingly having the cricket secured Ill see it scurry away from the side or rear. This isnt a once or twice occurrence. Im not sure when the last time he actually ate is and his abdomen is pretty small now. He refuses "slower" pray such as super worms and even horn worms.

Any ideas?

 

[Ratmosphere]

Just might not be ready to eat. Are you sure he isn't mature?

If you are concerned, pre-kill a cricket and cut it until the juices come out. Take tongs and rub the juiced cricket near the mouthparts of the male tarantula. This is how I feed all of my MM's who won't eat and it has a high success rate.

 

[Papaya]

The way goes after the crickets, even "chasing" them around the enclosure it would seem to inicate that he's ready and willing to feed.

No sign of bulbs or hooks so I dont think hes MM.

Ill try the pre killed cricket idea...Thank you

 

[Ratmosphere]

Did he take to the pre-killed?

 

[Papaya]

No. He pounced on it as a response to it being dropped but walked away a few seconds later. Maybe he is in pre molt but sure seems small (abdomen)