Tarantula molts as isopod snack??

[ReaWithTheSmolArachnids]

This is a super random question, but has anyone ever given tarantula molts to their isopods as food? I ask, because I've been looking into setting up a crested gecko bioactive. Thought it might be an interesting way to get some use out of the old molts and provide a little something for the CUC. My only concern would be urticating hairs potentially irritating the gecko, but if it's something the isopods would actually eat, I could always bury the molt a little to avoid contact with the gecko or remove the abdomen portion.

 

[Wolf135]

It could work, Isopods will eat just about everything.

 

[Tarantulafeets]

There was a video on youtube from Antscanada I think, he fed a deceased NW tarantula to his ant colony, and a bunch of ants got tied up in a ball and died, because the u-hairs were sticking them together. Same might happen to the isopods, I wouldn't risk it. Even if underground, the isopods might get some on their exoskeleton and bring them up to the surface, which could get to the gecko.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

There was a video on youtube from Antscanada I think, he fed a deceased NW tarantula to his ant colony, and a bunch of ants got tied up in a ball and died, because the u-hairs were sticking them together. Same might happen to the isopods, I wouldn't risk it. Even if underground, the isopods might get some on their exoskeleton and bring them up to the surface, which could get to the gecko.

Very interesting, I definitely agree with the hairs getting to the gecko, No way to guarantee theyd be eaten.

 

[ReaWithTheSmolArachnids]

It could work, Isopods will eat just about everything.

Ok. I just wanted to make sure. Thx!

There was a video on youtube from Antscanada I think, he fed a deceased NW tarantula to his ant colony, and a bunch of ants got tied up in a ball and died, because the u-hairs were sticking them together. Same might happen to the isopods, I wouldn't risk it. Even if underground, the isopods might get some on their exoskeleton and bring them up to the surface, which could get to the gecko.

Oh yikes! That's really interesting. Thank you for this response! Just out of curiosity, do you think it would be safe if the abdomen section was removed? Or could the other hairs also be an issue? I honestly didn't even consider the fact that isopods move things