Most nutritionally balanced feeders for tarantulas?

[Happydance88]

Hey guys just wondering what is believed to be the best feeders for tarantulas as far as nutritionally balanced? I can’t use roaches unfortunately so I use Flightless fruit flies for small slings, mealworms for large slings/ juveniles, and super worms for sub adults/ adults. I don’t like crickets because they stink and die off super fast. What do you guys use?

 

[Tarantuland]

It doesn’t seem to make a difference but fruit flies are often regarded to have less nutritional value than everything else. I use dubia, hornworms, mealworms, superworms, black soldier fly larvae

 

[DomGom TheFather]

I don't know of any data.
I feed almost entirely roaches. Mainly red runners but I've been known to keep a cup of mealworms in the fridge by the butter.

 

[greeneyedelle]

I don’t like crickets because they stink and die off super fast

Preach!

In order of primary use: Red runners (easy, cheap, preferred amongst my speciments), mealworms (easy, practically free, and maintaining your own colony is super easy too), superworms (not as cheap, too big for smaller specimens, it's annoying to constantly crush heads, kinda smelly, and there are claims that these are high in fat content, and not as nutritious as other options, but I don't know what that means. Equally as loved as red runners for the bigger t's), dubias (easy, cheap, BUT their exoskeletons are tough and my t's don't seem to go for them as much as they do other options, and there's usually a lot more bolus leftover because of the tough exo. My g. porteri won't even acknowledge them). Crickets are my "when I have no choice" because, as has been said, they stink and they die, far more so than any of the other feeders above.

 

[rock]

I used to use roaches a lot but have been getting crickets lately. There’s a pet shop close to my house so I just get what I need for one feeding to avoid keeping them. Super worms are more of a treat in my opinion, but I’ve never tried to use them as the main diet so maybe they’re fine. Variety is probably good, tarantulas eat all kinds of stuff in nature. Some of my biggest will take pinkies

 

[viper69]

Waxworms are very nutritious. I read a report decades ago which analyzed the various feeders. Crickets are like lettuce. Waxies- 8 course meal.

 

[Jonathan6303]

I used to use roaches a lot but have been getting crickets lately. There’s a pet shop close to my house so I just get what I need for one feeding to avoid keeping them. Super worms are more of a treat in my opinion, but I’ve never tried to use them as the main diet so maybe they’re fine. Variety is probably good, tarantulas eat all kinds of stuff in nature. Some of my biggest will take pinkies

Mouse?

 

[rock]

Human...

 

[BoyFromLA]

Below link page has ‘Chart of Feeder Insect Nutrition Facts’.

Feeder Insect Nutrition Facts for Reptile Keepers

Feeder insects contain protein, fat, fiber, and ash. What do these nutrients mean for your reptile? View ReptiFiles' table of feeder insect nutrition stats.

reptifiles.com

How they came to that number I do not know though.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Waxworms are very nutritious. I read a report decades ago which analyzed the various feeders. Crickets are like lettuce. Waxies- 8 course meal.

Do you know where the report is? Id like to see it, as I did not think waxworms were very nutritious.

 

[viper69]

Do you know where the report is? Id like to see it, as I did not think waxworms were very nutritious.

I know the source, but it predates the internet. However, since then I've seen similar profiles done every so often. You won't find it for Ts because the majority aren't concerned about nutrition, in part because no one knows their dietary needs, ie ions, vitamins etc.

You will find such information in the reptile hobby among insectivorous exotics. I've been a reptile/amphibian owner much longer than T owner.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

I know the source, but it predates the internet. However, since then I've seen similar profiles done every so often. You won't find it for Ts because the majority aren't concerned about nutrition, in part because no one knows their dietary needs, ie ions, vitamins etc.

You will find such information in the reptile hobby among insectivorous exotics

I was wondering if we actually knew what they needed more nutrition wise. Interesting thought regardless.

 

[ReleaseTheQuacken]

Below link page has ‘Chart of Feeder Insect Nutrition Facts’.

Feeder Insect Nutrition Facts for Reptile Keepers

Feeder insects contain protein, fat, fiber, and ash. What do these nutrients mean for your reptile? View ReptiFiles' table of feeder insect nutrition stats.

reptifiles.com

How they came to that number I do not know though.

Reptifiles is a very reputable site. The lady curating it I believe works with reptiles for a living.

 

[ReleaseTheQuacken]

I was wondering if we actually knew what they needed more nutrition wise. Interesting thought regardless.

Honestly, I think for nutrition of most animals, variety is key.