Tarantula General Advice
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Tarantulas have a very low metabolic rate, and at adult size, most species will be healthy when fed only 7-8 crickets a week. Younger tarantulas will often eat more than this. Livefood can include a mix of crickets, mealworms and locusts, of an appropriate size. As a general rule, food should be no larger than the abdomen. Many tarantulas have been know to fast for a long period of time, in this case, there is no need to panic, as long as the tarantula isn't losing weight excessively. It is important to always provide a dish of fresh water, large enough for the tarantula to immerse it's prosoma. NEVER place sponge, cotton wool or such like in the water dish Do not feed a tarantula in pre-moult, or moulting state, they are highly vulnerable at this stage, and feeding would cause too much stress, often leading to death. Try feeding around 5 days after moulting, if there is no interest in the food, remove it and try again a few days later. It is essential to remove any uneaten livefood and remains as soon as possible. If food sill remains uneaten after 24-48 hours, remove it straight away.
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This is a much debated topic. Generally, it is advised to 'look but don't touch!' However, handling of calmer species is often very possible. Simply letting the tarantula approach your hand, will avoid unneccessary stress, but be very slow when placing your hand in the tarantula's enclosure, to avoid the thought of you being a threat.. If you are simply wanting to handle the tarantula, this is the best method, but if you are wanting to 'move' the tarantula, for example, for cleaning of the enclosure, click HERE for more methods. Do not attempt to handle any tempremental or agressive tarantula.
Life expectancy is such a varied timescale for every individual species, depending on numerous factors, that it is only possible to estimate roughly. In basic terms, males mature before females. A 'maturing moult,' should the tarantula live long enough, for males, unfortunately indicates in most cases around only 6 or so months left. Read more about this by clicking HERE. In captivity, most male tarantulas will live only to a maximum of a few years, with females tending to live for alot longer. The size of a tarantula is also dependent on species and other factors. View a rough guide to species size by viewing the tarantula profiles.
A total clean-out of the enclosure is neccessary after a tarantula has moulted, but avoid cleaning the enclosure too much, to avoid stress. Uneaten food should be removed 24-48 hours after placing in the enclosure. Never use any detergents or bleach, simply use warm water to clean, and replace with fresh substrate when performing a complete clean-out.
Parasites:There are many variation of parasites, which can be transmitted to a tarantula in a variety of ways. However, captive bred tarantulas should, in theory, be free from parasites.
Phorid Flies:
This is the most common type of fly infestation. A few little brown/black flies will soon become a few hundred if left unseen to. When an infesation is first discovered, immediate action should be taken. If housing more than one tarantula in the same room, a close eye should be kept, incase the infestation spreads. In the case of a phorid fly infestation, a total clean out of the enclosure is neccessary. This can be done with warm water, but avoid using detergents, and may have to be done several times before the flies are eradicated.
Mites: often white or orangey-red. These can be highly irritating to a tarantula. The tarantula should be removed from it's enclosure, and either a completely new enclosure provided, or the infested one totally cleaned out, several times, and all decorations and other items should be thoroughly cleaned or replaced, and obviously new substrate provided.
