my Fireleg has a hollow leg...

[BigBadConrad]

Man, can this guy put it away. I'm used to scorps, but the appetite on my new 4.5" boehmei is amazing to me. Maybe it's cause it wasn't as well-fed at the pet shop, and that it molted the day I got it so it didn't eat for a week after that, but since it hardened from its molt last week, I have been giving it a cricket or two nearly every night and he hasn't turned one down yet. Ate a pinky two nights ago and another two crix last night, two more tonight. He's starting to look more like a she now that it's fattening up (I'll post some pics when I have time). I know that's probably too much to feed and I will scale it back, but man, what an appetite.

Is this species known to be a particularly big eater? CAN you overfeed, or will a T refuse food when full? If you have a boehmei or similar species, what is your feeding regimen?

Thanks,
John

 

[manville]

it is impossible to overfeed a tarantula they will refure food when they are full

 

[defour]

My B. boehmei tend to be agressive with food, too. It could be a misperception, but they seem somewhat more that way than the other brachys. They grow fast too; I bought a 1.3" female about two and a half years ago, and she's a good 5" now. As for food, my larger ones get a couple of big roaches per week, but they certainly don't need that much.

Steve

 

[da_illest]

just keep in mind that slings can't necessarily be "overfed" but if given all the food they'll take their butt's get HUGE which can lead to a rupture during a molt causing death to the t

 

[defour]

Originally posted by da_illest
just keep in mind that slings can't necessarily be "overfed" but if given all the food they'll take their butt's get HUGE which can lead to a rupture during a molt causing death to the t

I've heard that too, but it's pure conjecture. I've never had an abdomen rupture in a molt, big or not. Rupture from a fall is a different matter, but then that happens with small abdomens too. If the cage height is where it should be, the mass of the spider is immaterial.

Steve

 

[Dafne]

Originally posted by BigBadConrad
Is this species known to be a particularly big eater? If you have a boehmei or similar species, what is your feeding regimen?

Both T's of my B. boehmei species are great eaters. As far as I noticed they would eat as much as I can give them until they are full
But I decided to give them three or four big crickets a week. I think it is enough.

 

[OldHag]

Originally posted by defour
My B. boehmei tend to be agressive with food, too. It could be a misperception, but they seem somewhat more that way than the other brachys. They grow fast too; I bought a 1.3" female about two and a half years ago, and she's a good 5" now. As for food, my larger ones get a couple of big roaches per week, but they certainly don't need that much.

Steve

Dang....wonder whats wrong with my boehmei...its scared of live food. I have to kill everything it eats!!!! I have a whimp Tarantula

Michelle

 

[esmoot]

Originally posted by da_illest
just keep in mind that slings can't necessarily be "overfed" but if given all the food they'll take their butt's get HUGE which can lead to a rupture during a molt causing death to the t

I don’t believe a t can spontaneously rupture. A FALL could though. If you are following the basic care “rules” this type of fall can not happen.