How do I know if a Tarantula is hungry

frogfish

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I got a Caribena versicolor on Friday, I’m pretty sure it molted somewhat recently and I’m not sure if it has eaten since it’s molt, and it has been hiding behind a piece of cork bark and has come out but not eating the worm I’ve been trying to give it. I don’t know if I should give it more time to settle or keep trying to feed it?
It is looking pretty skinny right now.
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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I got a Caribena versicolor on Friday, I’m pretty sure it molted somewhat recently and I’m not sure if it has eaten since it’s molt, and it has been hiding behind a piece of cork bark and has come out but not eating the worm I’ve been trying to give it. I don’t know if I should give it more time to settle or keep trying to feed it?
It is looking pretty skinny right now.
Try and get a pic and how big is it ? Don’t feed it unless the fangs are black but you didn’t say how long since it molted .
 

frogfish

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Try and get a pic and how big is it ? Don’t feed it unless the fangs are black but you didn’t say how long since it molted .
I will get a picture, tbh I’m not sure how long ago it molted, there was a molt in their with it and they said it molted recently
 

lindale450

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What size is it? If it’s a sling or juvenile I found crickets worked better for my versicolour when younger now that she’s 4’’+ she is a lot more bold and will take super worms off the tongs no problem. Also if this is your first t don’t get too worried if it doesn’t eat, most people over feed at the beginning and later learn that the t will let you know when it’s ready to eat
 

frogfish

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What size is it? If it’s a sling or juvenile I found crickets worked better for my versicolour when younger now that she’s 4’’+ she is a lot more bold and will take super worms off the tongs no problem. Also if this is your first t don’t get too worried if it doesn’t eat, most people over feed at the beginning and later learn that the t will let you know when it’s ready to eat
Thanks for the help I’ll get some cricket’s tomorrow it might be scared of the tongs rn
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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Thanks for the help I’ll get some cricket’s tomorrow it might be scared of the tongs rn
It can be hard to feed aboreals worms , but male Dubias or anything that runs around .. gets crushed instantly by these hunters. I had one once lost it to a wet molt. :sad: Crazy the speed they-grow.
 

viper69

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I got a Caribena versicolor on Friday, I’m pretty sure it molted somewhat recently and I’m not sure if it has eaten since it’s molt, and it has been hiding behind a piece of cork bark and has come out but not eating the worm I’ve been trying to give it. I don’t know if I should give it more time to settle or keep trying to feed it?
It is looking pretty skinny right now.
Your questions are basic T 101. What has your research on AB told you?

How do you own an animal and NOT know when to feed it??🙄
 

frogfish

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Your questions are basic T 101. What has your research on AB told you?

How do you own an animal and NOT know when to feed it??🙄
Bro what? I was wondering when I should because it looks hungry and hasn’t settled yet
 

IntermittentSygnal

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I generally give a week to settle in...completely leave it alone other than water checks. Time post molt depends on size. A smaller T will harden faster than a larger one. As we don't know the size, nor the molt date, timing will vary. As said above, make sure the fangs are solid black before attempting. I even wait a few more days after I think they are solid black just to be safe. My versi's "I'm hungry" pose is face down with toes or more sticking out of the web tunnel. He prefers live crickets that are roughly the size of his abdomen or a wee bit longer. I don't tong feed, I let the T hunt and crickets climb. We'll need a pic to see it's abdomen size if you're concerned its too skinny.
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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I generally give a week to settle in...completely leave it alone other than water checks. Time post molt depends on size. A smaller T will harden faster than a larger one. As we don't know the size, nor the molt date, timing will vary. As said above, make sure the fangs are solid black before attempting. I even wait a few more days after I think they are solid black just to be safe. My versi's "I'm hungry" pose is face down with toes or more sticking out of the web tunnel. He prefers live crickets that are roughly the size of his abdomen or a wee bit longer. I don't tong feed, I let the T hunt and crickets climb. We'll need a pic to see it's abdomen size if you're concerned its too skinny.
Yeah once they are settled down they choose a spot and sit there most the time . my l klugi was wandering or climbing but it was just hunting with a few legs on the glass and exploring it’s new tank . Never leaves that spot often now but first week it kept pacing . Until op posts pictures we can’t tell much . :pics:
 
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frogfish

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Yeah once they are settled down they choose a spot and sit there most the time . my l klugi was wandering or climbing but it was just hunting with a few legs on the glass and exploring it’s new tank . Never leaves that spot often now but first week it kept pacing . Until op posts pictures we can’t tell much . :pics:
BD23FC66-8B1F-42BA-917A-8025AE7BD2E7.jpeg

AEC88689-1064-4ADA-B5BC-5D04A43458D2.jpeg

Yeah once they are settled down they choose a spot and sit there most the time . my l klugi was wandering or climbing but it was just hunting with a few legs on the glass and exploring it’s new tank . Never leaves that spot often now but first week it kept pacing . Until op posts pictures we can’t tell much . :pics:
It’s done minimal webbing, did some on the side of the enclosure to one of the leaves but that’s it
 

IntermittentSygnal

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It’s only been a few days, so I’d just give him/her some time to settle in. Kind of like you moving apartments on Friday and me asking on Monday why everything isn’t put away, organized and decorated yet. My versi (now juvie) didn’t make a lot of web at first move in and almost a year later, the enclosure is full of webbing.
 
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Hi
just zoomed one one of your pictures.
I think you may have mature male if Im not mistaken as pic is a bit blurry.
If thats the case he will not eat much or live long unfortunately as he has other things in his mind.
Try to get clear pic of his pedipalps if you can.
Also with them pink toes visible thats not Caribena versicolor but Avicularia species.
Regards Konstantin
 

IntermittentSygnal

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Wasn’t even paying attention to that, lol. Totally looks like Avic avic. OP, could you provide a clearer close up of his palps and 1st legs, please? I didn’t see hooks though?
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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Wasn’t even paying attention to that, lol. Totally looks like Avic avic. OP, could you provide a clearer close up of his palps and 1st legs, please? I didn’t see hooks though?
Yeah looks like it but more pics needed to if it most likely Avic avic mm. Explains the wandering behavior..
View attachment 447990


Hard to get a good pic because of where he is, and my phones being a potato rn
yeah no rush . It’s not easy getting photos of roaming spiders. :rofl:
 

MariaLewisia

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View attachment 447990


Hard to get a good pic because of where he is, and my phones being a potato rn
I'm very sorry to say but I have to agree with Konstantin's assessment - I'm pretty sure that is indeed a mature male, looking at the pictures. He will wander around looking for a female, won't eat much or perhaps not at all, and as mentioned previously, likely won't live very long either.

Try to make his life as enjoyable as possible by offering a meal now and again (don't be surprised or worried if he doesn't eat though). Keep a dish of clean water in there as well so he can drink. Mature males are often very jumpy and bolty so try not to stress him out too much. That's about all you can do for him now. I hope you didn't purchase him as a sexed female.
 

Ultum4Spiderz

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I'm very sorry to say but I have to agree with Konstantin's assessment - I'm pretty sure that is indeed a mature male, looking at the pictures. He will wander around looking for a female, won't eat much or perhaps not at all, and as mentioned previously, likely won't live very long either.

Try to make his life as enjoyable as possible by offering a meal now and again (don't be surprised or worried if he doesn't eat though). Keep a dish of clean water in there as well so he can drink. Mature males are often very jumpy and bolty so try not to stress him out too much. That's about all you can do for him now. I hope you didn't purchase him as a sexed female.
Yeah go figure , maybe the pet store said it was a female they usually don’t got a clue 🕵️‍♀️ ? Hmm 🤔.. I’ve had mature, males live 3+ years of some species usually 1-2.5 though .
 

frogfish

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I'm very sorry to say but I have to agree with Konstantin's assessment - I'm pretty sure that is indeed a mature male, looking at the pictures. He will wander around looking for a female, won't eat much or perhaps not at all, and as mentioned previously, likely won't live very long either.

Try to make his life as enjoyable as possible by offering a meal now and again (don't be surprised or worried if he doesn't eat though). Keep a dish of clean water in there as well so he can drink. Mature males are often very jumpy and bolty so try not to stress him out too much. That's about all you can do for him now. I hope you didn't purchase him as a sexed female.
Yeah lol, he’s just been wandering i keep a cricket in there for a day then take it out. Hopefully he will eat something soon
 
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