river rust rump

[andyfrance]

Hi there,
My new sub-adult has been having one cricket per day!! Is this normal, gready guts!! Got her about two weeks ago and every time i throw a cricket in SIZE4 she grabs it and eats it up! At this rate she will be as big as her tank in a few months!!

[Ian Hall]

If in the right mood your tarantula will eat one cricket per day isn't really necessary tho. Try cutting it down to 3 - 4 a week I'd say 5 at the most every 7 days.

[Matt Ball]

+1 to what Ian said. I've got a new river rust rump too and usually feed 3 times a week, removing any uneaten crickets the next day.

At first fed her almost everyday and she ate it all no problem (it was my first T and I loved to see her hunt ). I reduced the amount to 3 per week after a while, but recently she stopped eating (for amolst 2 months now), which I think might be due to me overfeeding her early on and now she's simply not that hungry or perhaps she going to molt .

[James Box]

From my understanding, Aphonopelma of this and similar types end up fasting much of the time, and then gorge during periods of abundance, where they eat as much as they can (probably triggered by rainfall in their environment), and then they settle down to digest for a while.
because of this, i expect your New River will eat alot...and then go on a fast. most of my New Rivers and my very similar chalcodes are also eating quite well at the moment...but it won't last.
I expect that soon they will be full, and they'll be ready to go back to a life of quiet contemplation lol

[James Box]

+1 to what Ian said. I've got a new river rust rump too and usually feed 3 times a week, removing any uneaten crickets the next day.

At first fed her almost everyday and she ate it all no problem (it was my first T and I loved to see her hunt ). I reduced the amount to 3 per week after a while, but recently she stopped eating (for amolst 2 months now), which I think might be due to me overfeeding her early on and now she's simply not that hungry or perhaps she going to molt .

Gotta say to both you and the OP: excellent choice for first T! Aphonopelma are my favourite genus

[Claire Beckett]

Re: river rust rump

Interesting comments...mine is due to arrive tomorrow

[James Box]

good stuff, Claire! you need more proper spiders

[Daniel Richardson]

I have a A Bicoloratum which is a lovely little spid but has'nt eaten since i got her-about 4ish weeks ago, not worried tho because she's got a lovly plump bum!!!
I try not too over feed my spider's they all get one cricket a week (except my big Apophysis who has about 4) My sling's get fed bean weevil's more often tho maybe 2-3 a week.

[Claire Beckett]

good stuff, Claire! you need more proper spiders

Oh and I will have James...you just watch this space!

[James Box]

I have a A Bicoloratum which is a lovely little spid but has'nt eaten since i got her-about 4ish weeks ago, not worried tho because she's got a lovly plump bum!!!
I try not too over feed my spider's they all get one cricket a week (except my big Apophysis who has about 4) My sling's get fed bean weevil's more often tho maybe 2-3 a week.

the more northern species of Aphonopelma tend to have rather slow metabolisms, so yeah on average they won't eat all that often...

Claire, i will! be interesting to see what else you get