DIET
There are various types of prey that are suitable for feeding tarantulas. Vary the prey to ensure a balanced diet. Choose live and healthy insects that have been fed high-quality food. The prey should never be larger than your tarantula's abdomen.
Frequency and quantity
To know whether you should feed your tarantula, pay attention to its abdomen: its size should correspond to that of its cephalothorax (ratio 1:1). Too much abdominal volume (ratio 2:1) indicates obesity and is dangerous.
The frequency of feeding depends on the age, size, and species of your tarantulas.
Baby tarantula (sling)
One prey once or twice a week is usually sufficient.
Juvenile
One prey once a week is usually sufficient.
Adult
The frequency can be reduced to one prey once every two weeks or, for larger species, even once a month.
Important note
If your tarantula does not hunt its prey within 24 hours, withdraw its food. It may be in the process of molting. Resume feeding a few weeks after molting, when your tarantula is back to its normal activity and its chelicerae are black again. Never leave live prey with your tarantula during molting (except silverfish).
Feeding technique
Simply place the prey in the terrarium, for example using tongs. Spiders hunt from ambush. They will get their food.
It is important not to throw the prey directly at the spider.
Purchasing prey items
You can breed your own prey animals to have a regular and inexpensive source of food. You can buy them in pet shops, from breeders, or at exchanges.
Cricket
Available in various sizes to accommodate the growth of your tarantula.
Mealworm
Crush their heads so they don't bite your tarantula.
Zophobas (Superworm)
Same precautions as for mealworms.
Roaches
Available in various sizes, they are an excellent source of protein.
Silverfish
Perfect for small tarantulas, as they do not bite. They can be left in the terrarium permanently.