Feeding my baby Mexican red knee

brettapuss

Arachnopeon
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Sep 4, 2019
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34FFE0B1-AD44-4F72-B8D8-CFD7BD1B94AB.png Hi so I bought this Mexican red knee the other day and I’m just wondering how often I should feed him/her. I bought the spider last Thursday and the store told me that it was fed the day before. I asked when should I next feed it they said once a week will be fine. So every Wednesday. I fed him/her today and it took the little cricket instantly (was so cool haha) so I’m just here to clarify with people who are a little more clued up with these animals and have better knowledge.

I’ll leave a couple picks of the spider in comparison to my hand so maybe that helps with how much I should be feeding him/her. Thank you ☺
 

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Brachyfan

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I feed my slings about once a week. I used to feed more often (maybe twice a week) but that leads to longer fasting periods.
 

EtienneN

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Once a week is fine. It looks pretty close to 2” long, so in my experience a good rule of thumb is to feed under 2” spiders twice a week and spiders 2” or over once weekly, twice a month, or even for the bigger ones once a month.
 

Vanessa

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At that size, I would be feeding one appropriately sized prey item once a week. Appropriately sized is either the same size as the abdomen, or a bit larger.
 

Vanisher

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Ones or twice per week. But i would feed a tarantula with better feeding responce twice a week. A B hamoori once a week is good!
 

brettapuss

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okay so im seeing a lot once a week responses. thank you for the help everyone i really appreciate it
 

cold blood

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okay so im seeing a lot once a week responses. thank you for the help everyone i really appreciate it
There is NO one set best feeding schedule...10 people could have 10 different schedules and all result in the same healthy ts in the end.

Do not get hung up on schedules.

General rules....smaller ts can eat more often, as they molt more often....the larger they grow, the longer the molt cycle. This means you have a long time to plump them, there's no hurry, you have time...lots of it......plump them quickly and it wont be harmful, but it will lead to excessively long periods of time with a lethargic, often hiding t that has no interest in food....and when plumped fast, these pre molt fasts can last a year or more.

if you feed small prey items, feed more often, if you feed large prey items, feed way less often. And as a t plumps, its food needs decrease significantly, your feeding schedule should reflect that....conversely, just after molting, ts are always at their thinnest and hungriest, and while plumping them quick shouldn't be a concern, its also not the time to skimp for at least a few feedings.
 

Teds ts and Inverts

Arachnobaron
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Nov 10, 2017
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Like @cold blood said, there is really no right or wrong feeding schedule, just feed it more frequently when it’s abdomen is in the smaller side, and when it starts to plump up, start to feed it less and less frequently. And as it molts and gets bigger, you don’t have to feed it as frequently as you will when it’s still relatively small.
 
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