General Tarantula CAre, what to know BEFORE you buy

Great thread shadowspider. I've heard that mice shouldn't be offered frequently because they don't provide the proper nutritional content for a T. Is that false?

I'm not getting any tarantulas and I still thought this was a very informative and interesting read. Actually it almost makes me want to get one. :P Great job!

thank you, great read...

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Originally Posted by raptorslovepuns

Great thread shadowspider. I've heard that mice shouldn't be offered frequently because they don't provide the proper nutritional content for a T. Is that false?

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That is true. Vertebrate prey as a staple diet provides a tarantula with too much calcium content and not enough vitimans and minerals of other types to ensure a proper, well balanced diet. The acculmination of calcium can, especially in the larger tarantula species, such as Theraphosa and Lasidora just to name two, can cause molting difficulties.
Feeding vertebrate prey occasionally however, is fine, but the primary, staple diet should be invertebrate prey.
I feed my Theraphosa blondi (Goliath bird eater) a pinky mouse about once every month or two but aside from that, she gets roaches, crickets, grasshoppers and large moths on a regular basis.

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~Jay_Bunny
~I'm not getting any tarantulas and I still thought this was a very informative and interesting read. Actually it almost makes me want to get one. Great job!

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Well thank you. :D
Thanks all for the comments, I really appreciate it.

Thanks so much for posting this! I'm looking to get a T in a couple weeks at the Phoenix Reptile Expo, and this care guide answered most, if not all, of my questions! Definitely very informative and helpful :gj:

This is a great read.

I absolutely HATE spiders but after reading this I think it's time to overcome my fear and get one. :D And like you said, they're to be seen and not touched, (and trust me, I won't be touching it;)) I don't think venom and aggressiveness really matters just hardiness and beauty. Correct?

Very useful information. Thank you!