What do pet tarantulas eat? A guide to feeding your pet tarantula

Gut-loaded insects

One of the main food sources for pet tarantulas is gut-loaded insects. These are insects that have been fed a nutritious diet before being offered to the tarantula. The most common gut-loaded insects for tarantulas include crickets, mealworms, king worms, silkworms, dubia roaches, and horn worms.

When feeding your pet tarantula gut-loaded insects, it is important to ensure that the insects themselves are healthy and well-fed. This is because the nutritional value of the insects will directly impact the health of your tarantula. Gut-loading involves feeding the insects a nutritious diet for a few days before offering them to your tarantula. This can be done by providing them with fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality commercial insect food.

Tarantulas are opportunistic feeders and will typically eat any insect that is small enough for them to overpower. However, it is important to note that not all insects are suitable for tarantula consumption. Some insects, such as fireflies and ladybugs, can be toxic to tarantulas and should be avoided.

Young vertebrate prey

In addition to gut-loaded insects, some tarantulas also consume young vertebrate prey. This includes small animals such as pinky mice. Pinky mice are newborn mice that have not yet developed fur and are often used as food for reptiles and other carnivorous pets.

Feeding your tarantula pinky mice should be done with caution and only if it is necessary for the specific species of tarantula you own. Not all tarantulas require vertebrate prey, and some may even refuse to eat it. It is important to research the dietary needs of your specific tarantula species before introducing vertebrate prey into their diet.

If you do decide to feed your tarantula pinky mice, it is crucial to ensure that the mice are of high quality and free from any diseases or parasites. Frozen pinky mice are often preferred over live ones, as they are safer and more convenient to store. It is recommended to thaw the frozen mice before offering them to your tarantula.

Live food sources

Tarantulas are known for their preference for live prey. In the wild, they hunt and capture live insects and other small animals. Therefore, it is often recommended to offer live food sources to pet tarantulas to stimulate their natural hunting instincts.

Live food sources for tarantulas can include various insects such as crickets, mealworms, and roaches. These insects can be purchased from pet stores or bred at home. Breeding your own live food sources ensures that they are healthy and free from any potential diseases or parasites.

When offering live food to your tarantula, it is important to ensure that the prey is an appropriate size. The prey should be small enough for the tarantula to overpower and consume without any difficulties. Offering prey that is too large can potentially harm or stress your tarantula.

Carnivorous diet

Tarantulas are carnivorous creatures, meaning that their diet primarily consists of meat. In the wild, they feed on a variety of insects, small animals, and even other spiders. As pet tarantulas, it is important to replicate their natural diet as closely as possible.

In addition to gut-loaded insects, young vertebrate prey, and live food sources, tarantulas can also consume other carnivorous food items. This can include small lizards, frogs, and even other small tarantulas. However, it is important to note that these food items should only be offered to larger tarantula species that are capable of overpowering and consuming them.

It is crucial to provide a balanced and varied diet for your pet tarantula to ensure their overall health and well-being. Feeding them a variety of gut-loaded insects, live food sources, and occasionally incorporating young vertebrate prey can help meet their nutritional needs and stimulate their natural hunting instincts.

In conclusion, pet tarantulas have a diverse diet that primarily consists of gut-loaded insects. However, some tarantulas may also consume young vertebrate prey and other carnivorous food items. It is important to research the specific dietary needs of your tarantula species and provide them with a balanced and varied diet to ensure their optimal health and longevity.