Tarantulas eat every 5-14 days, depending on age and species

Adult tarantulas typically eat once every 7-14 days, while juveniles and spiderlings require food every 3-5 days. Frequency depends on species, size, and molting cycles. Overfeeding can harm their health, so monitor their abdomen size and behavior to adjust feeding schedules.

Feeding Frequency by Life Stage

  • Spiderlings (0-1 inch): Eat 2-3 times per week (small prey like fruit flies or pinhead crickets).
  • Juveniles (1-3 inches): Eat every 5-7 days (small crickets or roaches).
  • Sub-adults/Adults (3+ inches): Eat every 7-14 days (larger prey like dubia roaches or small mice for big species).
  • Pre-molt (all ages): Stop feeding 1-2 weeks before molting (abdomen turns dark, reduced activity).

Factors Affecting Feeding Schedule

  • Species: Faster-metabolism species (e.g., arboreals) eat more often than slow-moving terrestrials.
  • Temperature: Warmer environments (75-85°F) increase appetite; cooler temps slow digestion.
  • Prey Size: Offer prey no larger than the tarantula's abdomen to prevent regurgitation.
  • Health: Sick or stressed tarantulas may refuse food-remove uneaten prey within 24 hours.

Feeding Schedule Comparison by Tarantula Type

Life Stage Terrestrial Species Arboreal Species Fossorial (Burrowing) Species
Spiderling Every 3-4 days Every 2-3 days Every 4-5 days
Juvenile Every 7 days Every 5-6 days Every 8-10 days
Adult Every 10-14 days Every 7-10 days Every 14-21 days

Signs Your Tarantula Is Hungry (or Overfed)

  • Hungry:
    • Actively prowls the enclosure.
    • Quickly attacks prey when offered.
    • Abdomen appears slightly sunken (not severely).
  • Overfed:
    • Abdomen is round and firm (risk of rupturing).
    • Refuses food for 3+ weeks (excluding pre-molt).
    • Lethargic or sluggish movements.

Step-by-Step Feeding Guide

  1. Choose prey: Crickets, roaches, or mealworms (avoid wild-caught insects).
  2. Prey size: Match prey to the tarantula's abdomen width.
  3. Offer food: Use tongs to place prey near the tarantula (avoid handling prey with bare hands).
  4. Monitor: Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent stress or bites.
  5. Hydration: Provide a shallow water dish (change weekly) to aid digestion.

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overfeeding: Leads to obesity, shortened lifespan, or molting issues.
  • Underfeeding: Causes weakness, slow growth, or cannibalism in communal setups.
  • Wrong prey: Avoid hard-shelled insects (e.g., superworms) for spiderlings-they can't penetrate the exoskeleton.
  • Feeding during molt: Prey can harm a vulnerable tarantula-wait 1-2 weeks post-molt before offering food.