Question on feeding

Ungoliant

Malleus Aranearum
Staff member
Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Messages
4,095
You'll spend more time taking care of the beetles than your Ts. For now mealworms kept in the fridge is your best option, once your Ts grow you can switch to superworms, these won't pupate unless you separate them.
If you do decide to keep mealworms (out of the fridge), they're really not that much work if set up properly. I put mine on a bed of plain quick oatmeal and add diced carrots once a week or so, which they'll also eat as a source of food and moisture. (They eat other fruits and veggies too, but carrots last a while and don't smell bad.)

If it's warm, the mealworms (the larval state) will pupate and then turn into adult beetles. Both mealworms and pupae can be used as food. (Always crush the heads of both so they don't turn into adult beetles if not eaten.) I don't use the adult beetles as food (unless they're very freshly molted and soft); they just eat, mate, and lay eggs.

Once a year or so, I add more mealworms to increase genetic diversity. (I noticed when I never did this that I was seeing more bad molts.)

tl;dnr: A mealworm colony is overkill for 2 tarantulas, but it is pretty low-maintenance.
 

BlitzimX

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 19, 2019
Messages
4
Thanks for all the answers :)
Here are the pictures of the 2 girls (yeah i know bad quality ^^' )

https://i.imgur.com/CMSpX7B.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tzyD0nP.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xhc61GA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gOY7xzD.jpg

The CC has already molted once about 2 months ago. And yes, she's missing a leg, she lost it a few days after her molt for no real reason.
The worm on the BS's picture is a bit bigger compared to what she usualy eats, as i didn't have anything smaller on hand for now (should have maybe cut it in 2). It's also the 2nd meal she has refused to eat in a row.
 

Serpyderpy

Arachnosquire
Joined
Aug 16, 2017
Messages
129
Does the Brachypelma smithi have a hide? She might be refusing to eat because she feels somewhat insecure in her enclosure. She looks quite plump anyway so her refusing food won't be much detriment to her.
 

BlitzimX

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 19, 2019
Messages
4
Nope she doesn't have one. She has already eaten quite well before so maybe it's just a phase :)
 
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