Help - My brachypelma smithi hasn't eaten for 6 week

[Ruth b]

My brachypelma smithi hasn't eaten for 6 week, he used 2 eat twice a week but seems to have gone off food now, he dont seem to come out if his hide much anymore, any help would really b appreciated

 

[Smotzer]

How big is it? How big is the abdomen?

 

[Ruth b]

Hes around a year old,

 

[Baby T]

Handsome little guy what's the enclosure like? Doesn't look in pre molt just yet...

 

[Ruth b]

Hes gorgeous, im so worried about him

 

[Ruth b]

Hes gorgeous, im so worried about him

 

[Baby T]

Ok so way too much space between sub and lid of enclosure... They like dry, but every now and then overfill the water dish. Very important cos I can't see one in the pic! Also large for its size, but not the main issue.
All Ts need a water dish.
B. Smithi are typically fasting species, so if it's abdomen and husbandry are ok, no need to worry so much.
Try not to worry, Ts like to be left alone.
Keep us updated!

 

[Ruth b]

Thank u, the only time I go near his tank is to feed him, I will put more sub in with him, I worry cos its my 1st time with a tarantula

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Your specimen is a Brachypelma hamorii btw.

Looks like a juvenile, for a slow growing species at that size you only need to feed once every 2-3 weeks, so probably just refusing to eat because it's full.

In any case, a 6 week fast is nothing for a juvenile hamorii, I've had Brachypelma slings refuse to eat for up to 5 months. Just make sure it has water available and, as already mentioned, you want to add more substrate (fill it halfway).

 

[spideyspinneret78]

I wouldn't worry about it. He looks healthy and it's normal for slower-growing tarantulas (even juveniles) from genera like Brachypelma, Grammostola, etc. to sometimes fast for long periods of time. Winter is also approaching, and I've noticed that a lot of my spiders have been less hungry and some have been hanging out in their burrows more often. It's normal for them, even though it can be hard for us as humans not to worry about them. I currently have a G. pulchripes sling that's been in his burrow for almost 3 months! Their metabolisms are incredibly slow compared to ours. I would only be concerned if his abdomen was looking small or shriveled. He'll eat whenever he's hungry again, in the meantime just offer food periodically and try to be patient

 

[Phobiuh]

Completely normal, mine is a bit smaller than yours and she has only eaten twice since her last molt, which was back in early July.

 

[USNGunner]

You need way more substrate in there. They love to burrow.