Can I overfeed my tarantula?

[Graci]

I got an avic avic about 5 days ago that eats a lotttt. It's about an inch right now, so I gave it 5 crickets that were about 3/4 it's size the first day. I figured maybe it wasn't fed recently from where I got it. I presented some food the next day and it ate again and again. Every day it's just ready to take down as much as I give it. I'm just wondering if I can over do it? I've had a rosy before that ate maybe 5 crickets a week max.

 

[jackys]

I just go by abdomen size (1:1 ratio with carapace = probably a healthy size), as I've heard mixed advice on this myself. I've heard both that most T's will stop eating when they're full, and that they can take their "opportunistic eater" instincts to becoming obese. But your T is still pretty small at just an inch, so the more you feed might just make it grow faster... Whether that's good or bad is another story.

Hoping someone with more experience chimes in to give you a better answer.

 

[Venom2090]

Don't feed it as much as it will take.

I remember your spiders a sling. Correct me if I'm wrong.


Cut down feedings to a few times a week at most.

 

[octanejunkie]

Stupid noob question but our curly hair is about 5 molts into its lifespan and we only feed it one home raised, gut loaded adult female roach once a week at this point. Is that too little?

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[Entity]

@octanejunkie if that roach is about the size of the spider's abdomen, then that is a good amount. and if she looks nice and plump u r probably all good!

 

[octanejunkie]

@octanejunkie if that roach is about the size of the spider's abdomen, then that is a good amount. and if she looks nice and plump u r probably all good!

Cool, thanks. I would rather underfeed than overfeed, but yes, the roach is about the same length as the spider's abdomen, just not as fat!

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[Entity]

I think the only problem with having a really fat tarantula is that they would probably have trouble molting.

 

[octanejunkie]

We've not had any molt-related issues with this T

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[Whitelightning777]

I've heard that excessive weight makes them more vulnerable if they fall off of something.

More food and a slightly higher temp will get them out of the fragile sling stage however.