Tarantulas are large, often hairy spiders belonging to the Theraphosidae family, found in diverse environments across the globe. As formidable carnivores, these arachnids play a specialized role as predators. They are highly adapted hunters whose survival depends entirely on capturing and consuming other living organisms. This specialized lifestyle dictates their diet, hunting methods, and care requirements in captivity.
Primary Prey and Opportunistic Feeding
The diet of a wild tarantula is composed primarily of insects and other arthropods, making them specialized insectivores. Common food sources include crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, beetles, and even other spiders. Terrestrial species often prey on ground-dwelling arthropods that pass near their burrows, while arboreal tarantulas may focus on flying insects or those found in the tree canopy.
Tarantulas are also highly opportunistic feeders, consuming nearly anything they can overpower. Larger species, such as the Goliath bird-eating spider, have been documented occasionally preying on small vertebrates. This includes lizards, frogs, small snakes, and nestling birds. However, these items are not a staple of their diet, as their feeding is ultimately governed by the availability of prey and the spider’s ability to subdue it.
The Mechanics of Tarantula Hunting
Tarantulas do not build intricate snare webs; instead, they are ambush predators that rely on stealth and vibration detection. Sensitive hairs covering their legs and body allow them to perceive minute ground vibrations caused by passing prey. They wait patiently at the entrance of their burrow or a sheltered location until a meal comes within striking distance.
Once the prey is detected, the tarantula lunges forward with speed to secure it using its powerful legs. The spider then delivers a bite through its chelicerae, which are tipped with long, hollow fangs. This bite injects venom, which quickly paralyzes or kills the captured animal.
Following the injection of venom, the tarantula initiates external digestion. Digestive enzymes are secreted through the mouthparts and pumped into the prey’s body, dissolving the internal tissues. The spider then uses strong muscles in its foregut to create a vacuum effect, sucking the nutrient-rich, liquefied matter into its digestive tract. The indigestible outer shell or bones are later discarded as a small, compact pellet.
Managing the Diet of a Captive Tarantula
For tarantulas kept as pets, a diet consisting of commercially available feeder insects is the standard for proper care. These insects should be “gut-loaded,” meaning they are fed a nutritious diet shortly before being offered to the spider, ensuring adequate nutrition. Common food items include:
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Superworms
- Various species of feeder roaches, such as Dubia roaches
A crucial rule for feeding is ensuring the prey item is no larger than the tarantula’s abdomen, as oversized prey risks injury to the spider. Adult tarantulas generally require feeding only once a week or less frequently, depending on their species and body condition.
Juvenile spiders require more frequent feeding, often every few days, to support their rapid growth rate. A shallow, sturdy water dish containing fresh water must always be present, as tarantulas require access to water.
A tarantula will often stop eating when preparing to molt. During this pre-molt and molting phase, any uneaten live prey must be removed immediately. Live insects can fatally injure a tarantula while it is soft and vulnerable. Feeding should only resume once the tarantula’s new fangs have fully hardened, which can take up to two weeks for larger individuals.