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Tarantulas often refuse food It could be pre-molt, it could be the type of prey item, or it could just be that they aren't hungry. The " 2 times a week" feeding schedule for slings is just a general guideline, not a rule. I usually feed once a week, but I use superworms, which seem to fatten them up really well. Tarantulas care very little for our rules, or our worries Slings are usually good eaters and molt much more often than juvies and adults, so expect constantly changing behavior as they grow. I think it's great that you're paying close attention to their behavior, you'll learn fast, but it's going to cause you some worry at the start. It did me, anyway Ok, I'll stop using the faces now, lol...anyway, with a sling, I wouldn't start worrying until it's been a month or so. If it's not showing signs of pre-molt, and doesn't eat for a month, I would probably be a little concerned. I've raised Brachy slings and Grammastolas, both slow growers, but I don't believe any of mine ever took a month to molt once in pre-molt, or refused food for a month, not at the size you stated. They refused for a week on many occasions. Anytime a sling is not eating like it usually does, I suspect pre-molt, but I'm not always right..either way I make sure they always have a water source, even if it's just a small bottle cap that I have to refresh every day because it evaporates. I think it's helpful in two ways: If the T is in pre-molt, it will need the water, molting takes a lot out of them and they are usually very thirsty after they molt. And if they're just not hungry, it gives them a source of water that they would usually get from eating prey. If any of my slings is in very obvious pre-molt I'll mist a bit as well, just to give them that extra humidity as a helping hand. Anyway,I don't think you have anything to worry about, since it's only been a week. Hope this helped.

<blockquote data-quote="MassExodus" data-source="post: 52057" data-attributes="member: 4086"><p>Tarantulas often refuse food <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink&nbsp; &nbsp; ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> It could be pre-molt, it could be the type of prey item, or it could just be that they aren't hungry. The &quot; 2 times a week&quot; feeding schedule for slings is just a general guideline, not a rule. I usually feed once a week, but I use superworms, which seem to fatten them up really well. Tarantulas care very little for our rules, or our worries <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> Slings are usually good eaters and molt much more often than juvies and adults, so expect constantly changing behavior as they grow. I think it's great that you're paying close attention to their behavior, you'll learn fast, but it's going to cause you some worry at the start. It did me, anyway<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek!&nbsp; &nbsp; :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" /> Ok, I'll stop using the faces now, lol...anyway, with a sling, I wouldn't start worrying until it's been a month or so. If it's not showing signs of pre-molt, and doesn't eat for a month, I would probably be a little concerned. I've raised Brachy slings and Grammastolas, both slow growers, but I don't believe any of mine ever took a month to molt once in pre-molt, or refused food for a month, not at the size you stated. They refused for a week on many occasions. Anytime a sling is not eating like it usually does, I suspect pre-molt, but I'm not always right..either way I make sure they always have a water source, even if it's just a small bottle cap that I have to refresh every day because it evaporates. I think it's helpful in two ways: If the T is in pre-molt, it will need the water, molting takes a lot out of them and they are usually very thirsty after they molt. And if they're just not hungry, it gives them a source of water that they would usually get from eating prey. If any of my slings is in very obvious pre-molt I'll mist a bit as well, just to give them that extra humidity as a helping hand. Anyway,I don't think you have anything to worry about, since it's only been a week. Hope this helped.</p></blockquote><p></p>

[QUOTE="MassExodus, post: 52057, member: 4086"] Tarantulas often refuse food ;) It could be pre-molt, it could be the type of prey item, or it could just be that they aren't hungry. The " 2 times a week" feeding schedule for slings is just a general guideline, not a rule. I usually feed once a week, but I use superworms, which seem to fatten them up really well. Tarantulas care very little for our rules, or our worries :) Slings are usually good eaters and molt much more often than juvies and adults, so expect constantly changing behavior as they grow. I think it's great that you're paying close attention to their behavior, you'll learn fast, but it's going to cause you some worry at the start. It did me, anyway:eek: Ok, I'll stop using the faces now, lol...anyway, with a sling, I wouldn't start worrying until it's been a month or so. If it's not showing signs of pre-molt, and doesn't eat for a month, I would probably be a little concerned. I've raised Brachy slings and Grammastolas, both slow growers, but I don't believe any of mine ever took a month to molt once in pre-molt, or refused food for a month, not at the size you stated. They refused for a week on many occasions. Anytime a sling is not eating like it usually does, I suspect pre-molt, but I'm not always right..either way I make sure they always have a water source, even if it's just a small bottle cap that I have to refresh every day because it evaporates. I think it's helpful in two ways: If the T is in pre-molt, it will need the water, molting takes a lot out of them and they are usually very thirsty after they molt. And if they're just not hungry, it gives them a source of water that they would usually get from eating prey. If any of my slings is in very obvious pre-molt I'll mist a bit as well, just to give them that extra humidity as a helping hand. Anyway,I don't think you have anything to worry about, since it's only been a week. Hope this helped. [/QUOTE]

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