Small tarantula not eating for weeks after molt

[Ogut]

Hello,
As always I have a question about my va. 5.5cm T. vagans.
She molted about 2 weeks ago but since then she refused food and just runs away from it.
I am offering her dubia roches that are a bit smaller then her abdomen.
What I also observed is that she goes to her water dish regularly, takes a sip and then returns to her burrow.
She is also webbing up her burrow entrance just to break it again when going drinking.
Should I continue trying a feeding attempt every day or should I wait for some kind of signal from the T?

 

[Nightstalker47]

Have you tried pre killed?

 

[Ogut]

Have you tried pre killed?

No I have not. Might she be terrified of live food, and if so, why is that?

 

[Poonjab]

No I have not. Might she be terrified of live food, and if so, why is that?

Another option is try a different feeder. I’ve had T’s avoid one type and take another. But if it’s drinking like you say, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. More important that they hydrate after a molt than eat.

 

[Ogut]

Another option is try a different feeder. I’ve had T’s avoid one type and take another. But if it’s drinking like you say, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. More important that they hydrate after a molt than eat.

I think I will try different feeders and pre killing. I hope I can get them somewhere in times like this.
But just to be sure, if she was potentially starving would she still run from the dubias due to her not liking this type of feeder?

 

[Poonjab]

I think I will try different feeders and pre killing. I hope I can get them somewhere in times like this.
But just to be sure, if she was potentially starving would she still run from the dubias due to her not liking this type of feeder?

I can’t say for certain, just from personal experience. My T.albo will run from Dubias or throw a threat pose. It’s 50/50 with super worms. But drop in a cricket... takes it every time. T’s can be weird.

 

[Ogut]

I can’t say for certain, just from personal experience. My T.albo will run from Dubias or throw a threat pose. It’s 50/50 with super worms. But drop in a cricket... takes it every time. T’s can be weird.

Alright then. I'll try crickets. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Nightstalker47]

I think I will try different feeders and pre killing. I hope I can get them somewhere in times like this.
But just to be sure, if she was potentially starving would she still run from the dubias due to her not liking this type of feeder?

At two weeks post molt, starvation should be your last concern...and no, a famished T would pounce for sure. Sometimes they just take longer to pick up on eating again.

 

[Poonjab]

Alright then. I'll try crickets. Thanks for your advice.

No worries. It’s just an option. I’m positive your T is fine, especially if it’s drinking. Let us know how it goes.

 

[viper69]

She molted about 2 weeks ago but since then she refused food and just runs away from it.

She's not to ready to eat by what you wrote. I've had Ts drink a lot, but not ready to eat. Which is fine by me, that keeps up their hydration!!!!

Might she be terrified of live food, and if so, why is that?

Maybe...prey could be wrong size, "wrong" time of day, had Ts refuse during the day (not surprise), and eat towards dusk, some don't care.