Tarantulas are obligate carnivores and ambush predators — they strike prey that wanders within range rather than pursuing it. Their metabolism runs far slower than a reptile's, so they eat far less often, and they need no calcium or UVB supplementation at all — unlike reptiles, they have no bones or shell to support with either.
What to Feed
Mealworms are a reliable staple — soft-bodied and appropriately sized for most tarantulas. Superworms offer more substance per feeder, but their hard mandibles can bite back; crush the head before offering, or size down for smaller spiders. Dubia roaches suit larger, more established tarantulas — they're calm and don't jump, though an uneaten roach can burrow and stress an inactive spider. Prey should never exceed the size of the tarantula's abdomen; oversized feeders are harder to subdue and more likely to fight back.
Feeding Schedule
- Slings: Small prey every 3–5 days — they molt often and handle frequent small meals well.
- Juveniles: One to two appropriately sized feeders per week.
- Adults: Once every 1–2 weeks is typical for most species; some large, fast-growing species eat more often.
- Around a molt: Tarantulas stop eating days to weeks beforehand and won't take food until the new exoskeleton hardens — a few days for slings, up to two weeks for adults. This fasting is normal, not a sign of illness.
Gut-Loading, Not Dusting
Tarantulas don't need calcium or D3 dusting — excess calcium can actually harm them, since they have no bony skeleton to build. Nutrition instead passes through the feeder itself: gut-load mealworms, superworms, and roaches with nutritious food for a day or two before offering them, so the tarantula gets those nutrients secondhand. See our gut-loading guide for schedules and food options.
Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
Never leave live prey unattended — an uneaten cricket, roach, or superworm can bite or stress a resting tarantula, and a molting spider can't defend itself at all. Remove uneaten feeders within a few hours. Overfeeding is a real risk too: fat is stored in the abdomen, and a persistently swollen abdomen means it's time to feed less, not more. When in doubt, underfeed.