My Mexican red knee is running away from its food.

[Akirathet]

I got a Brachypelma Hamorii (Mexican red knee) about 3 weeks ago. It had molted two weeks before that. When I fed it the first time it ate two crickets right away which of course was because it had been starving from molting. A week later I fed it again and no problem it pounced down as soon as the cricket hit the ground, and the next day I fed it another one and same thing. A week has passed and now nothing. I have been trying to feed it for the past 3 days and now when the cricket touches ground and walks near my T my T runs away and hides in its burrow or climbs on the glass to get away. I'm wondering if this is simply because it's still full from its last feeding or if my spider is malfunctioning lol. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Dman]

It's not hungry. Leave the cricket in for 24 hours and take it out if it is still there. Try again in one week. Rinse and repeat.

 

[Akirathet]

It's not hungry. Leave the cricket in for 24 hours and take it out if it is still there. Try again in one week. Rinse and repeat.

Thanks for the tip! It is a healthy T it's abdomen isn't shribbled like the poor Ts I'm accustomed to seeing in big box pet stores. I just kinda started to wonder because I dont want it to end up like that.

 

[Dman]

That tip by the way is true for the majority of T's. Is this your first one? Sometimes they fast and will not eat. They can be picky sometimes too.

 

[Akirathet]

That tip by the way is true for the majority of T's. Is this your first one? Sometimes they fast and will not eat. They can be picky sometimes too.

Yeah first one. Everything has been going good so far, this is the first issue that has me without an answer.

 

[Dman]

Nice T to start with. Easy to care for and a good display T. Be careful it can become an addiction. Easiest pets to care for. Your are in the right place for anything you want to know. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Akirathet]

Nice T to start with. Easy to care for and a good display T. Be careful it can become an addiction. Easiest pets to care for. Your are in the right place for anything you want to know. Good luck and have fun.

Thanks. It has already become an addiction. I attended a reptiles and exotic pet convention this weekend and I almost left with another T. Had I been prepared with an extra enclosure I sure as hell would have had another right now. I already have a small list of other Ts I want to get sometime in the near future.

 

[Dman]

Conventions are fun but too busy for me. Hobby Lobby will be your best friend for cheap nice looking enclosures. What is on your list of future T's?

 

[Akirathet]

Conventions are fun but too busy for me. Hobby Lobby will be your best friend for cheap nice looking enclosures. What is on your list of future T's?

I want to start of with the most docile Ts. I got 3 on my list so far.
1. Aphonopelma Seemani (Costa Rican zebra tarantula)
2. Brachypelma Albopilosum (Curly hair tarantula)
And
3. Avicularia Avicularia (Pink toe tarantula)
Those 3 for sure.

 

[Dman]

I have an A. Seemani and an A. avicularia. Surprisingly I have never had a Brachypelma. The A. seemanni can be moody and at other times gentle. Mine can be skittish but has never threat posed or kicked hairs. The Avic's are wonderful but can be fragile as slings. Best to get a juvenile to start with IMO. Do some research on the different Avic morphs and species as some of them are very colorful and strikingly gorgeous. Get one that you want to display. They are usually out and seen. I would also recommend a Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (GBB) they are very hardy, a great looking sling and beautiful juveniles and adults. Always out in the open and not defensive in my experience. A great beginner T.

 

[Akirathet]

Update! I threw a cricket in today after it had not eaten in over a week and voila! it pounced on it as soon as the unlucky cricket wandered into its "strike zone". Being a first time T owner, things like My T not eating when its scheduled to or running away from its prey can make you wonder if something is wrong. What I learned from this is that Tarantulas kinda don't really have an eating schedule, some can eat every week, and sometimes can go weeks, months, maybe even years (I heard) without eating. As long as it has an accessible water dish in it's enclosure it can survive without eating much.

 

[Dman]

Glad to hear it ate for you. I have heard that Brachypelma's are infamous for fasting for months at a time. Tarantulas can be frustrating to a newbie as they are different than any other pet to keep. There really is no set feeding schedule and the habits and behaviors are in some regards different by the individual. You will get used to it. They really thrive on being left alone as much as possible. Just mimic their natural environment as much as possible and they will do great.