B. albiceps won't eat live insects

[RoseyPink01]

So I have a beautiful B. albiceps sling (about an inch long DLS. He's the size of a water bottle lid) and he won't eat live prey. I try to give him a live cricket or a live mealworm or superworm and he never eats it. I've put it right in front of him before and just tried letting it run around wherever, but he never takes it. I usually take that prey out pretty quickly but one time I came in after 3 days and he still hadn't eaten it. During this time, and currently, I've just been killing the crickets and worms beforehand and when I set them in there, he will take them almost immediately but only if they're dead. He never eats them if they're alive and moving. Is he just weird or is there something wrong with him? Thanks

 

[rock]

There’s nothing wrong with him. Try giving him live prey items that are smaller than his abdomen, the worms are probably intimidating

 

[RoseyPink01]

Yah been giving him pinhead and small sized crickets..never eats them unless they're dead. I only use the baby worms that are small but maybe they're still too big. Thank you!

There’s nothing wrong with him. Try giving him live prey items that are smaller than his abdomen, the worms are probably intimidating

 

[rock]

Yah been giving him pinhead and small sized crickets..never eats them unless they're dead. I only use the baby worms that are small but maybe they're still too big. Thank you!

As long as he’s eating something, they scavenge in the wild so it’s not really an issue. How often do you feed? Maybe hold off a little and you’ll get a better feeding response

 

[birdonfire]

Moving prey always intimidated my Lp sling when it was small.

 

[kingshockey]

you just have a t with low prey drive(lazy t) is all. actually it makes things alot easier to know when a premolt fast has begun since no need to worry about finding uneaten live prey and then having to catch/remove it etc.things will probably change though as it gains more size

 

[viper69]

Prey is prob too large

 

[cold blood]

I have raised a bunch of these from slings....they are without question the worst eating slings EVER.....really long periods of time between meals, and few of them and glacial growth.

The good news is that once they get a little size, like over an inch and a half, they become great eaters....larger juvies and adults are typically very good eaters...but slings aren't. Slings can be frustrating.

 

[joossa]

My eight B. albiceps slings are pretty timid and most are at or over 1.5in DLS. They always, always eat prekilled unless in heavy premolt. I wouldn't worry. I also recommend you don't give them a lot of sub to burrow into and keeping them real, real warm for faster growth.

I have raised a bunch of these from slings....they are without question the worst eating slings EVER.....really long periods of time between meals, and few of them and glacial growth.

The good news is that once they get a little size, like over an inch and a half, they become great eaters....larger juvies and adults are typically very good eaters...but slings aren't. Slings can be frustrating.

Temps really make a huge difference. I got mine from 0.33in DLS to 1.5+in DLS in about 7 months by keeping them very warm almost every single day (minimum 10hrs/day at 85F and never lower than 72F at night). Mine have been great, consistent eaters from the start given the temps I keep them at.

More here:

New and Long Adventure: Brachy Slings!

The Brachypelma genus is my favorite tarantula genus. After getting into the hobby, my goal was to get my 3 favorite species: B. hamorii, B. boehmei, and B. albiceps. Earlier this year, I got my first T: A 4.5in B. hamorii. Then got a 5in B. boehmei. I had been looking for juvenile B. albiceps...

arachnoboards.com

 

[cold blood]

Temps really make a huge difference. I got mine from 0.33in DLS to 1.5+in DLS in about 7 months by keeping them very warm almost every single day (minimum 10hrs/day at 85F and never lower than 72F at night). Mine have been great, consistent eaters from the start given the temps I keep them at.

Not for me...lol, my room is pretty much 80 degrees 24/7...it did nothing for my albiceps slings when they were small....I have had 1/2" slings fast for 6 months and regularly only eat once or twice per molt cycle. And they wouldnt eat larger meals. JME

 

[DustyD]

I had G. pulchra and G. pulchripes that were not interested in live food, although the breeder had fed them live crickets. Eventually they came around, although I do leave disabled/ dying food sometimes when they are hiding.

 

[Cully]

I have three of these and one of them will take a live cricket, the other two run from crickets or dubias. I have been feeding them cut in half meal worms, they eat. FYI mine are almost 2 years old, about 1 in dls and still live in 5 oz deli cups

 

[viper69]

I have raised a bunch of these from slings....they are without question the worst eating slings EVER.....really long periods of time between meals, and few of them and glacial growth.

The good news is that once they get a little size, like over an inch and a half, they become great eaters....larger juvies and adults are typically very good eaters...but slings aren't. Slings can be frustrating.

LIES Blasphemy 2 words >>Augacephalus ezendami

 

[Smotzer]

There really nothing to worry about if it’s eating, regardless of it’s live or pre-killed. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

 

[Smotzer]

LIES Blasphemy 2 words >>Augacephalus ezendami

I have to add to this list so far the new Harpactirella magna is the WORST eater I’ve ever had. Nothing entices it to eat.

 

[cold blood]

LIES Blasphemy 2 words >>Augacephalus ezendami

way way better eater than albiceps IME....But very similar in that the juvies and adults are top notch eaters.

I have a Thrixopelma sp. "black"....this t rivals anything in the slow growing category and not a big eater either....3 years in on that one and still no adult colors.

 

[viper69]

way way better eater than albiceps IME....But very similar in that the juvies and adults are top notch eaters.

I have a Thrixopelma sp. "black"....this t rivals anything in the slow growing category and not a big eater either....3 years in on that one and still no adult colors.

3 years jeez. I believe you on the other 2

 

[RoseyPink01]

As long as he’s eating something, they scavenge in the wild so it’s not really an issue. How often do you feed? Maybe hold off a little and you’ll get a better feeding response

Oh apologies! I haven't been active! I feed him every week

 

[RoseyPink01]

Thank you all for your help! I wasn't that worried but I had a friend who was haha

 

[RoseyPink01]

you just have a t with low prey drive(lazy t) is all. actually it makes things alot easier to know when a premolt fast has begun since no need to worry about finding uneaten live prey and then having to catch/remove it etc.things will probably change though as it gains more size

Thank you so much!