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Is it Safe to Feed Her Yet?

Sonicookie

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My Rose Hair molted for the first time with me recently, I believe July 3rd. I know you have to wait after molting, but for how long? There's still a little left un-darkened on her carapace. She's been going after water when I pour it.

Her abdomen is pretty small now and I know Rose Hairs can go a long time without food, but it's only natural to worry.

A few minutes ago she was very still, with her legs a little sprawled. It's probably nothing to worry about, but again, it's only natural. I would've taken a picture, but it's dark.

How do you tell if a tarantula is starving?
 

MassExodus

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If it's starving the abdomen will be very small, tiny. If it is dehydrated the abdomen will be small and wrinkled. You can offer food after a few weeks with most tarantulas. Except slings. Five to seven days for them is fine. Always have fresh water in enclosures, most particularly during premolt, or after a molt. Have you tried offering food in the past two months? Usually striking at water is a feeding response. I always thought so, anyway..
 

Sonicookie

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Thank-you. I've heard attacking water is a feeding response too. I'd been meaning to ask if it was safe, I'll get crickets in the next few days. I refill the water dish daily.

I haven't offered food yet just in case it wasn't safe.
 

MassExodus

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Just to reinforce, never wait two months for any tarantula, even older giants that sometimes take a month to eat after a molt. Molting takes a heavy toll sometimes. A spider that might usually not eat for 3 weeks could need it after one week, due to a hard molting process.
 

Arachnoclown

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Just to reinforce, never wait two months for any tarantula, even older giants that sometimes take a month to eat after a molt. Molting takes a heavy toll sometimes. A spider that might usually not eat for 3 weeks could need it after one week, due to a hard molting process.
My 10.5" stirmi waits nearly a month after molting...drives me nuts waiting that long!!!:confused:
 

Whitelightning777

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They might eat a little bit earlier if the feeder is very soft, such as a horn worm or an earthworm. I always use an earthworm as the first post molt meal. Even though the fangs look black, it never hurts to be too careful.
 
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