I'm worried about my tarantula! Help??

Question

first time tarantula owner here.

He's been eating like normal for the past few weeks I've had him, but suddenly he stopped eating.

He has plenty of water and doesn't appear sick...

He IS less active though.

And whenever crickets get close to him, he stands there and kinda pulls his legs away from them, as if he was scared of them.

o_______O

I 'unno what's up with him.

Any one good with spider care out there?

D:

Answer 1

Answer depends on the species, but either way you don't have anything to worry about.

Active spiders eat once a week, at most.  I am assuming you have a chilean rose, because they are the most common and easiest in the trade.  Chilean Roses are known to fast for no apparent reason, and these periods of not eating can last up to A YEAR.  I believe the record is 2 and a half years with no food, just water.  Other reasons for not eating include premolt and stress.  Stress can be caused by several factors, like being disturbed often, or being too hot or cold, having crickets walk over it, or even too much light.  Tarantulas like dark, quiet areas.  If the spider doesn't eat the crickets within a couple of days, remove them.  They will stress it out.  

Premolt is the phase in the tarantula's life when it starts to get ready to shed it's exoskeleton.  During this time, the tarantula won't eat, and won't eat for atleast a week after molt, allowing time for the exoskeleton to harden.  You can tell it is entering molt when the exoskeleton starts turning a dark brown or black color, most noticable on the abdomen.  This is the new exoskeleton forming beneath the existing one.

About activity, tarantulas are known to be very inactive.  Mine will stay in one position for a day, move to another spot, and stay there for a few days.  This is normal.  Some species of burrowers will stay in one spot for months.

You should start worrying when your tarantula's abdomen shrivels up, like a rasin, or when it is in a "death curl".  Death curls are when the tarantula tucks it's legs underneath it's body, and usualy means it's near death.

For more information, I strongly recommend the book "Tarantulas and Other Arachnids" by Samuel D. Marshall.

http://www.amazon.com/Tarantulas-Other-A...

Amazon has a deal to get "The Tarantula Keeper's Guide" with it, for a total price of 20$.  I strongly recommend this book too, as it goes into much more detail about the trade, but doesn't have as much on the individual species as the other book has.

Welcome to the exciting world of tarantula keeping.

Answer 2

he's just not hungry, he can go a long time without food, don't worry for at least another 6 weeks

Answer 3

ewwwwww

i hope it dies

Answer 4

well seing that ir is a spider(which is cold blooded)

i think that it doesnt have to eat alot coz it dsnt need much energy

but it does seem odd that it ate alot before....

maybe just wait a few days and see how things go

good luck

sorry i coulc not be anymore help