Versicolor sling feeding schedule?

[ARACHNO-SMACK48]

You aren't supposed to feed T's once a day... regularly. That is way too much unless you are feeding prior to breeding or bulking up a skinny T. Though I agree that the exact amount of food that a T should be getting really has no baseline since we have not really conducted any studies on T's natural feeding habits. However, based on their slow metabolisms I think it is safe so assume that they should not be being stuffed 24/7. Also to my knowledge it is proven that power feeding lowers the life expectancy of T's.

 

[ArachnoFreak666]

You aren't supposed to feed T's once a day... regularly. That is way too much unless you are feeding prior to breeding or bulking up a skinny T. Though I agree that the exact amount of food that a T should be getting really has no baseline since we have not really conducted any studies on T's natural feeding habits. However, based on their slow metabolisms I think it is safe so assume that they should not be being stuffed 24/7. Also to my knowledge it is proven that power feeding lowers the life expectancy of T's.

not totally sure about the truth behind it lowing the life expectancy of the T, but arachno-smack48 is right, you should only be "power feeding" like that if you are about to breed or your bulking up an underfed T.

 

[cold blood]

My little versi sling has a nice U shaped tube now I know to look for the feet or body hanging out to feed it. Is it normal for them to have multiple entrances to their tube?

Yes, very normal to have multiple entrances.

Powerfeeding will only have a significant shorting on the life effect on males, not so much with a female. I think the "dangers" of powerfeeding are GREATLY exaggerated, especially with regards to slings.

 

[viper69]

Yes, very normal to have multiple entrances.

Powerfeeding will only have a significant shorting on the life effect on males, not so much with a female. I think the "dangers" of powerfeeding are GREATLY exaggerated, especially with regards to slings.

All this power feeding crap comes from my original herp hobby. Slings> feed as often as they will eat! They will get full, they will stop eating on their own. SHEESH. Why do people insist upon promoting Nazi death camp feeding regimes!??????

Especially when there is absolutely ZERO studies on there predation habits in the wild!!

 

[ARACHNO-SMACK48]

You should know that feeding this often is a bad idea. Unless they are just tiny crickets. Do some research man.

 

[cold blood]

All this power feeding crap comes from my original herp hobby. Slings> feed as often as they will eat! They will get full, they will stop eating on their own. SHEESH. Why do people insist upon promoting Nazi death camp feeding regimes!??????

Especially when there is absolutely ZERO studies on there predation habits in the wild!!

You should know that feeding this often is a bad idea. Unless they are just tiny crickets. Do some research man.

Polar opposite posts...lol. I agree 100% viper. A fat sling is a happy healthy one.

Curious as to the "research" you have read 48...chances are that it was opinions or beliefs and not backed by actual science and data.

 

[BobGrill]

I don't have a feeding schedule. They get fed whenever I feel they need to be fed.

 

[Sana]

Would someone be willing to offer a link to the materials that they have read supporting the belief that power feeding is harmful to a T? I've read and heard a lot that goes to both opinions, but haven't found anything that seems more reliable scientifically than any of the others.

 

[viper69]

You should know that feeding this often is a bad idea. Unless they are just tiny crickets. Do some research man.

Show me the scientific research which supports your opinion.

I know slings need to eat often because they need to grow, or am I mistaken in that "assumption" hahah

Didn't know feeding an animal when it was hungry was a bad idea?!?! They do stop eating when they reach the proper satiety levels, or have people not noticed that?!

Next I'm going to read that Ts should undergo water rationing after molting!

 

[Poec54]

Would someone be willing to offer a link to the materials that they have read supporting the belief that power feeding is harmful to a T? I've read and heard a lot that goes to both opinions, but haven't found anything that seems more reliable scientifically than any of the others.

Spiderlings are in a race to grow. The bigger they get, the less vulnerable they are to predators, and the sooner they can reproduce. Their fat abdomens shrink with each shed as the reserves go into growth. The slow growers in a sac have the odds against them in making it to maturity. Once they're adults, they don't need to eat as much; their growth spurt is over, and they don't use as much of their stored resources when molting.

 

[Sana]

Spiderlings are in a race to grow. The bigger they get, the less vulnerable they are to predators, and the sooner they can reproduce. Their fat abdomens shrink with each shed as the reserves go into growth. The slow growers in a sac have the odds against them in making it to maturity. Once they're adults, they don't need to eat as much; their growth spurt is over, and they don't use as much of their stored resources when molting.

That was my understanding of the way things work. I also was under the impression that they won't eat if they aren't hungry, as in one can't feed a T to death. Is that accurate to your knowledge?

The only reasonable conclusion that I can draw from the statement that a T's lifespan is shortened by power feeding as a sling is that the T matures faster. They are mature for the same time span but got there sooner, thus the shortened life. I don't know if that is in any way valid, it was just common sense applied to the statement.

All of that said (in a possibly coherent way) I am always happy to keep an open mind and read and discuss materials offered that counter my viewpoint.

 

[cold blood]

That was my understanding of the way things work. I also was under the impression that they won't eat if they aren't hungry, as in one can't feed a T to death. Is that accurate to your knowledge?

The only reasonable conclusion that I can draw from the statement that a T's lifespan is shortened by power feeding as a sling is that the T matures faster. They are mature for the same time span but got there sooner, thus the shortened life. I don't know if that is in any way valid, it was just common sense applied to the statement.

Yes on both assumptions.

There are a few species, that as adults, are capable of eating themselves to death, but those are the exceptions. Slings are different than adults though, as previously mentioned, you can't over-feed a sling.

 

[viper69]

That was my understanding of the way things work. I also was under the impression that they won't eat if they aren't hungry, as in one can't feed a T to death. Is that accurate to your knowledge?

The only reasonable conclusion that I can draw from the statement that a T's lifespan is shortened by power feeding as a sling is that the T matures faster. They are mature for the same time span but got there sooner, thus the shortened life. I don't know if that is in any way valid, it was just common sense applied to the statement.

All of that said (in a possibly coherent way) I am always happy to keep an open mind and read and discuss materials offered that counter my viewpoint.

None of my Ts eat if they aren't hungry, they aren't people, hah

 

[Sana]

Yes on both assumptions.

There are a few species, that as adults, are capable of eating themselves to death, but those are the exceptions. Slings are different than adults though, as previously mentioned, you can't over-feed a sling.

Which species?

 

[ARACHNO-SMACK48]

What I am trying to say is that, slings should be fed quite a bit, but in my opinion they shouldn't be powerfed 24/7 until they pop. This is not based off of research but just my personal general understanding and common sense. I have no scientific research to back this up as it is purely my opinion. It may even change over time as I gain more experience with T's. When I said do some research, I was referring to care sheets available online, most of which I would venture do guess do not include feeding multiple crickets daily on top of roaches regularly. Either way, as long as the T is healthy, there I see no problem.

 

[Poec54]

Food available 24/7 is 'power feeding' and it's extreme. One of the problems with that is that crickets are always around annoying the spider 24/7 too, and could also be there when it sheds. I'm sure spiders like to have time to sleep everyday without insects constantly crawling around and waking it up.

A good feeding schedule for slings is 2 or 3 feedings a week.

 

[cold blood]

What I am trying to say is that, slings should be fed quite a bit. But they shouldn't be powerfed 24/7 until they pop. This is not based off of research but just my personal general understanding and common sense.

While I don't feed slings 24/7, I do feed the hungrier species every other day very often. I see only faster growth rates and shorter pre-molt periods. I do agree true constant 24/7 powerfeeding is a bit extreme, as like poec mentioned, the constant rustle in a small enclosure can be a bit much, especially for a sling. But I really don't think there are very many people out there that leave food in 24/7. I do think a higher percentage of people offer too little than those that offer too much.

Here's a couple excerpts written by an arachnologist with serious experience (Samuel Marshall) in his book "Tarantulas and other Arachnids":

"Young tarantulas of course will eat more than old tarantulas and you cannot overfeed a growing spider, in fact the more you feed a young tarantula, the faster and larger it will grow."

"As I mentioned above, you cannot feed a tarantula spiderling too much; they will eat far more often than they will when adult. A hatchling tarantula is busy growing and has an appetite that is hard to satisfy. Unlike adult spiders, very young tarantulas pause in their eating only to molt...Starved hatchlings have a slower initial growth rate...and a higher mortality rate....If you restrict their food when young, they will also not grow as large when they mature.:


My experiences mirror Mr. Samuel's.

Which species?

I have heard that it can happen with Pamphos, and with their appetite I could see it. But they are a relentlessly hungry genus group. Genics and lasiororas share that ridiculous appetite to a degree.

 

[Poec54]

Here's a couple excerpts written by an arachnologist with serious experience (Samuel Marshall) in his book "Tarantulas and other Arachnids":

"Young tarantulas of course will eat more than old tarantulas and you cannot overfeed a growing spider, in fact the more you feed a young tarantula, the faster and larger it will grow."

"As I mentioned above, you cannot feed a tarantula spiderling too much; they will eat far more often than they will when adult. A hatchling tarantula is busy growing and has an appetite that is hard to satisfy. Unlike adult spiders, very young tarantulas pause in their eating only to molt...Starved hatchlings have a slower initial growth rate...and a higher mortality rate....If you restrict their food when young, they will also not grow as large when they mature.

I used to know Sam when I was in the hobby before; he'd been to my place to see my collection a couple times. Sam knows his stuff. He isn't some hobbyist speculating on things.

---------- Post added 12-13-2014 at 11:32 PM ----------

I really don't think there are very many people out there that leave food in 24/7. I do think a higher percentage of people offer too little than those that offer too much.

Absolutely. Just about no one feeds their spiders 24/7. On the other hand there have been a number of posts here from people who think anything exceeding one feeding per week for slings is excessive and irresponsible. Of course, how long do their spiders take to mature?

 

[viper69]

While I don't feed slings 24/7, I do feed the hungrier species every other day very often. I see only faster growth rates and shorter pre-molt periods. I do agree true constant 24/7 powerfeeding is a bit extreme, as like poec mentioned, the constant rustle in a small enclosure can be a bit much, especially for a sling. But I really don't think there are very many people out there that leave food in 24/7. I do think a higher percentage of people offer too little than those that offer too much.

Here's a couple excerpts written by an arachnologist with serious experience (Samuel Marshall).

I'll take Dr. Sam Marshall's words over ANY hearsay from so-called "research" that ARACHNO-SMACK48, who was talking smack, or any other person can offer up. It's just common sense what Dr. Marshall wrorte. But hey, he's only a scientist specializing in arachnids, I'm sure he doesn't know much! Jeeez people.

 

[Sana]

I have heard that it can happen with Pamphos, and with their appetite I could see it. But they are a relentlessly hungry genus group. Genics and lasiororas share that ridiculous appetite to a degree.

Umm... stupid question... how do you know that a pampho is eating too much? I've got my first one now, a sling, so I'm not immediately concerned, but I would hate to explode the poor thing when it grows up.