🕷 What Do Tarantulas Eat?
Complete Feeding Guide for Healthy, Long-Lived Tarantulas
If you're searching for what tarantulas eat, how often to feed them, or which feeder insects are best, this complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Tarantulas are opportunistic ambush predators. In the wild, they consume a variety of invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates depending on species, size, and habitat.
Understanding proper feeding is one of the most important parts of long-term tarantula care.
What Do Tarantulas Eat in the Wild?
Tarantulas primarily feed on:
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Insects
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Roaches
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Beetles
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Crickets
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Grasshoppers
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Caterpillars
Larger species may occasionally take:
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Small lizards
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Amphibians
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Pinky mice (rare in nature)
However, in captivity, vertebrate prey is not necessary and often discouraged.
Tarantulas are designed to subdue prey using:
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Venom
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Strong chelicerae (fangs)
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External digestion
They inject digestive enzymes into prey and liquefy tissue before consuming it.
What Should You Feed a Pet Tarantula?
The safest and most practical feeder insects include:
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Crickets
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Dubia roaches
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Red runner roaches
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Mealworms
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Superworms
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Hornworms (occasionally)
For spiderlings (slings):
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Pre-killed or small pinhead crickets
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Small roach nymphs
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Cut mealworms
Prey size should never exceed the spider’s abdomen.
Overly large prey can cause stress or injury.
How Often Should You Feed a Tarantula?
Feeding frequency depends on age and growth stage.
Spiderlings (Slings)
Feed 1–2 times per week.
Young tarantulas grow quickly and require consistent nutrition.
Juveniles
Feed every 5–7 days.
Growth begins slowing, but metabolism remains active.
Adults
Feed every 7–14 days.
Many adult tarantulas can comfortably go weeks without food.
Do not panic if your tarantula refuses food for extended periods — especially before a molt.
Signs Your Tarantula Is Overfed
Overfeeding is more common than underfeeding.
Warning signs include:
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Abdomen significantly larger than carapace
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Sluggish movement
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Increased fall risk (for arboreal species)
A slightly plump abdomen is healthy.
A swollen abdomen increases rupture risk if the spider falls.
Should You Remove Uneaten Food?
Yes.
Remove live feeder insects after 24 hours if not eaten.
During pre-molt, uneaten insects can injure a vulnerable tarantula.
Never leave prey in the enclosure during molting.
Feeding During Pre-Molt
When a tarantula prepares to molt, it may:
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Refuse food
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Stay inside its hide
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Web heavily
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Become lethargic
Stop offering food once pre-molt begins.
After molting:
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Wait 5–14 days before feeding
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Larger species require longer fang-hardening time
Feeding too soon can damage soft fangs.
Do Tarantulas Need Supplements?
No.
If feeder insects are properly gut-loaded, additional supplementation is unnecessary.
Unlike reptiles, tarantulas do not require dusted calcium.
Focus on healthy feeder insects.
Do Tarantulas Drink Water?
Yes.
Always provide:
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A shallow water dish
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Clean water refreshed regularly
Do not rely on misting alone.
Proper hydration is critical — especially for tropical species.
Live Feeding vs Pre-Killed
Most tarantulas prefer live prey.
However, spiderlings and shy species may accept pre-killed insects.
If feeding pre-killed prey:
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Remove leftovers promptly
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Avoid mold growth
Feeding Based on Species Type
Arboreal Tarantulas
Often respond quickly to moving prey.
May prefer elevated feeding positions.
Terrestrial Tarantulas
Ambush from burrow entrances or hides.
Fossorial Tarantulas
Often drag prey underground immediately.
Understanding species behavior improves feeding success.
Common Feeding Mistakes
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Overfeeding
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Feeding during pre-molt
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Leaving prey unattended
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Using prey that is too large
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Poor feeder hygiene
Feeding is simple — but precision matters.
Final Thoughts on Tarantula Feeding
Tarantulas are incredibly efficient predators.
They do not require daily feeding.
They do not require complex diets.
They require consistency and restraint.
When properly fed and hydrated, tarantulas can live decades — especially females.
If you’re selecting your first spider or expanding your collection, explore our available Tarantulas for Sale and pair your specimen with proper enclosure setup and feeding discipline.
For full care instructions, read our Complete Tarantula Care Guide.
