Butterworms!

I just arrived home from the pet shop with some juicy butterworms for the Ts. I fed Mustapha the last cricket last night but it was just a small one. I figured I'd feed them both butterworms right away. They have never had before and I was giddy with excitement to see if they would enjoy them.

I fed Smithy the biggest one since she did not eat last night and it was so cute. The worms are these yellow and orange fat things and they just kind of wiggle around. Being the lazy spider that she is, she most likely appreciated not having to chase the thing around the terrarium. She simply walked up, tapped it, and sunk her fangs in. I was surprised that the worm gave quite the struggle. There was venom dripping all over it by the end and it's thrashing caused a hole in the substrate.

Mustapha's smaller worm gave him no trouble and he is happily feasting right now too! Yay, feeding success.

I feel good about offering them variety. They are too big now for the moth larvae I was feeding them last summer and unfortunately their diet over the course of the past six months has been strictly crickets.

Now I have to figure out how to keep the third, smallest butterworm alive for a few days until they are hungry again. I also have a brand new tub of crickets but I suspect many of them will be freed. The tarantulas should be almost ready for another fast and molt.

The pet store today was busy but I always get the same guy to get me bugs. He has tarantulas too and has helped me in the past to pick out cork bark and way long ago, pinhead crickets. I actually look forward to my visits now to discuss our Ts and to get recommendations on bugs and accessories.

There was a girl picking up some fish with her Dad and she was fascinated by the butterworms and wanted to check them out. When I told her they were for tarantulas she covered her mouth and gasped. Then she had a bunch of questions for me. She asked me if I'd eat a butterworm for $1000 and I said no, I'm a vegetarian. She said she would and she's vegan, slapped me on the shoulder and left the store..Lol.

Live with tarantulas is grand : )

Spiders are FUN! + FAQs

Both have been out of their hides, active and VISIBLE for the past couple of weeks. They're making tarantula keeping a lot of fun.

I never know if I should pick up more bugs when they're almost out. I don't want crickets stinking up my kitchen while they fast, molt and recover for a month. I mean, sure I can free them outside but even going to the pet store for them is a hassle. I guess I'll have to see how it goes!

Having my ts for 8 months now has prompted a lot of questions. Granted, friends and family are curious so even though the questions seem kind of silly to a tarantula enthusiast,
they're common amongst the majority of the population, who are usually just a little weirded out!

Tarantula FAQs

Q. When do tarantulas get their venom?
F. They always have it.

Q. Can't you get them devemonized?

F. No, and we wouldn't want to! Don't want a pet with claws, don't get a cat. Don't want a smelly pet, don't get a dog or ferret. don't want a venomous bug, don't get a tarantula!

Q. When do you put them together?
F. Never. I have two different species.

Q. Don't they get lonely?
F. Lol, no. They live like that in the wild.

Q. Aren't you afraid they will escape?
F. Yes. More afraid for their safety and the other pets rather than my own though.

I hope that clears things up!