Overfeeding

[gdansey]

I have a 2" GBB that I have had for a few weeks, and I am worried that it is too fat. I gave it a cricket today, and when it came out of its burrow, I was surprised at how large its abdomen was. Is this t overfed? How often do you feed slings? Also, does it look like it is about to molt? Thanks in advance.

Glenn

 

[jen650s]

Yes, you can definitely over feed. In the wild Ts are opportunistic eaters, they eat everything they can when it comes along because it might be a long while before something else comes along. So, in our homes they tend to eat everything that comes along. Unfortunately, that means that we often have fat Ts (and dogs and cats and kids ) in our zeal to give them the best care possible without truly assessing their needs. I vary my feeding schedule by the season (temperature) , size of the T, how fast it grows (if it is young) appearance, and how often it seems to be looking for food (with some Ts it is obvious when they want to eat), and appearance if it looks fat it skips a meal.

 

[G. pulchra]

They can be fed too much, and in my experience it results in a difficult moult.

 

[K1j1m]

These things get fat quick. I wouldnt worry to much, my GBB was the same size or bigger and it molted totaly fine. My dealer told me to feed it ever day and he has had experiance for nearly 20 years. Dont worry so much about it

 

[MizM]

IME, I've never had a T overeat. They eat until they are full, then simply ignore crix. I'm always jealous of the big fat butts I see! But then, every sling I buy turns to a male, maybe the testosterone overload affects butt size!

 

[ChondroGirl]

We usually feed our slings 2 to 3 times/week, as much as they will eat within a few hours. They usually get pretty large abdomens right before they molt, but have never had trouble molting. If the humidity is right, she shouldn't have a problem.

 

[jen650s]

Here are a couple of pics of my C. cyanopubescens. It is about the same size as yours. It has been about 3 weeks since it has eaten which is not unusual for me in winter as my T/computer room is about 60* right now. I usually offer food to my adult and sub-adult Ts every 2 weeks during winter and they on average eat every other time I offer.

MizM, I agree that some Ts will not over eat, they seem to be like any other animal in that respect. However, I have a couple including one of my GBBs that would eat until they burst if I let them (at least in the summer when it is warm enough for them to be interested in food).

 

[MizM]

I like big butts and I cannot lie.....

 

[gdansey]

I like big butts and I cannot lie.....

I don't want to hear about anyone getting "sprung"

 

[gdansey]

Here are a couple of pics of my C. cyanopubescens. It is about the same size as yours. It has been about 3 weeks since it has eaten which is not unusual for me in winter as my T/computer room is about 60* right now. I usually offer food to my adult and sub-adult Ts every 2 weeks during winter and they on average eat every other time I offer.

MizM, I agree that some Ts will not over eat, they seem to be like any other animal in that respect. However, I have a couple including one of my GBBs that would eat until they burst if I let them (at least in the summer when it is warm enough for them to be interested in food).

Wow what a beauty! Am I correct to assume, with the color difference, yours is a molt or two ahead of mine?

 

[jen650s]

I don't know. I do know that this one is pre-molt it's sibling molted last week and they have molted about 2 weeks apart consistently since I got them about a year ago and this will be their 4th molt. They have gained just over an inch in the time that I have had them starting at around 1" each. I have been amazed at the color shown by both of them since day one. I have 4 others right at the 1" mark now without anywhere near the the color of these two.

However, back on topic. You can see that this T also falls a little in the big butt range, but the other one who is hiding in her hide since her molt is the one that will eat and eat and eat. I once got a little over zealous with the crickets and she had scooped up 5 large ones in a ball before I could even get my tweezers to get the extras out and then she ate them all. I didn't offer food again for a month and she still looked like a marble when molt time came around.

 

[gdansey]

Thats good info. I'm going on vacation in a week for a week and was worried I needed to feed it often. Maybe I'll wait till I get back to feed it again. Telling my buddy he only has to fill the water dishes will put his mind at ease. Thanks all!

I don't know. I do know that this one is pre-molt it's sibling molted last week and they have molted about 2 weeks apart consistently since I got them about a year ago and this will be their 4th molt. They have gained just over an inch in the time that I have had them starting at around 1" each. I have been amazed at the color shown by both of them since day one. I have 4 others right at the 1" mark now without anywhere near the the color of these two.

However, back on topic. You can see that this T also falls a little in the big butt range, but the other one who is hiding in her hide since her molt is the one that will eat and eat and eat. I once got a little over zealous with the crickets and she had scooped up 5 large ones in a ball before I could even get my tweezers to get the extras out and then she ate them all. I didn't offer food again for a month and she still looked like a marble when molt time came around.

 

[Mushroom Spore]

With a butt that big, you can probably just stop feeding until it molts. If it noticeably loses weight, go back to feeding, but I've never had that happen.

 

[Mattyb]

When i had slings, i fed them a cricket once every three days. My adults are one every other day depending on how well they are eating, and if they are in premolt.


-Matty

 

[Cirith Ungol]

These things get fat quick. I wouldnt worry to much, my GBB was the same size or bigger and it molted totaly fine. My dealer told me to feed it ever day and he has had experiance for nearly 20 years. Dont worry so much about it

I'd be interested to know if the dealer you're referring to is someone on this board. I don't want a name or anything, just a yes or no. Because concensus on this board seems to be a strong "DON'T feed every day" ...unless the prey is like a fruit fly per day for a sling or juvie. Because it's just not nessessary as can be seen on the pictures in this thread.

 

[Mattyb]

I'd be interested to know if the dealer you're referring to is someone on this board. I don't want a name or anything, just a yes or no. Because concensus on this board seems to be a strong "DON'T feed every day" ...unless the prey is like a fruit fly per day for a sling or juvie. Because it's just not nessessary as can be seen on the pictures in this thread.

I agree. I have been away from the board awhile, but i know that the "dont feed everyday" is true.


-Matty

 

[xhexdx]

I'm getting in on this a little late, but a simple search on 'overfeeding' would have probably answered all your questions to begin with:

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/search.php?searchid=1121257

 

[gdansey]

I'm getting in on this a little late, but a simple search on 'overfeeding' would have probably answered all your questions to begin with:

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/search.php?searchid=1121257

Wow your right, except none of the threads in my search told me if the GBB in the picture was going to molt soon.

 

[xhexdx]

Wow your right, except none of the threads in my search told me if the GBB in the picture was going to molt soon.

Wow, it also seems nobody has answered that portion of your question because they were all focusing on the stuff that you could have answered on your own!

Maybe a post only asking that question would have yielded better results.

How big is this spider? When was the last time it molted? I see no premolt symptoms but its abdomen doesn't have a big bald spot to gauge it with.

If you're going on vacation, don't worry about feeding it, have your friend make sure there is water in there all the time, and don't worry about it.

I would definitely stop feeding until after it molts unless it goes a month or so and still doesn't molt. Then I'd try offering food again.

 

[Moltar]

I don't get all the fuss about whether a t is being overfed or not. It's real simple; If it looks really fat, don't feed it for a while. If it's starting to get a little skinny, feed it.

A t's abdomen is a direct gauge to whether or not it needs to be fed. I try to keep my big-butted terrestrials' (GBB falls in that category IMO) abdomens about 1.5x the width of their carapace. That's on the chunky side for some OW species though. If they get skinny they'll survive just fine. If they get too fat however it becomes a risk with molts and falls.

Sometimes we tend to overthink things. This one to me is as simple as can be.


I can't tell if a molt looks imminent on the OP's pic. If it won't eat then it's probably gonna molt.