Best Foods for Feeding Your Goliath Birdeater Spider

The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is one of the largest and most impressive tarantulas in the world. Native to the rainforests of South America, this giant spider can reach leg spans of up to 12 inches or more, making it a fascinating pet for experienced arachnid enthusiasts. Proper nutrition is critical for maintaining the health, growth, and longevity of your Goliath birdeater. In this article, we will explore the best foods to feed your Goliath birdeater spider, along with feeding tips and nutritional considerations.

Understanding the Diet of the Goliath Birdeater

In the wild, Goliath birdeaters are opportunistic predators that consume a wide variety of prey. Their diet includes insects, other arthropods, small amphibians, reptiles, and occasionally small mammals or birds—hence their name. However, feeding live vertebrates in captivity is generally discouraged due to ethical concerns and potential risks to the spider’s health.

Captive Goliath birdeaters thrive primarily on live insects and other invertebrates that provide adequate nutrition and simulate their natural hunting behavior. Understanding what to feed your spider helps to replicate its natural diet while ensuring safety for both pet and owner.

Best Food Options for Your Goliath Birdeater

1. Crickets (Acheta domesticus)

Crickets are one of the most common feeder insects for tarantulas, including Goliath birdeaters. They are readily available at pet stores or online and provide a good source of protein and nutrients.

• Pros: Easy to find; nutritious; encourage natural hunting.
• Cons: Can be noisy if not consumed promptly; may bite if left with the spider too long.

2. Roaches (Dubia Roaches)

Dubia roaches (Blaptica dubia) are exceptional feeder insects due to their high protein content and low odor. They reproduce quickly, making them a sustainable option for regular feeding.

• Pros: Nutritious; less smell than crickets; slow-moving so less stressful for beginners.
• Cons: Can be harder to find locally; require proper care to keep breeding.

3. Superworms

Superworms are larvae of darkling beetles and are a favorite among many tarantula keepers because they are large and nutrient-dense.

• Pros: High fat and protein content; easy for large spiders to handle.
• Cons: Higher fat content means they should be fed occasionally rather than daily.

4. Mealworms

Mealworms are another popular feeder insect but typically smaller than superworms. They can be used as supplemental food but should not be the primary staple because of their chitinous exoskeletons which can be tough on spiders’ digestive systems in excess.

• Pros: Readily available; inexpensive.
• Cons: Lower nutritional value compared to crickets or roaches.

5. Waxworms

Waxworms are larvae of wax moths and are fatty feeder insects often used as treats rather than staple food due to their high-fat content.

• Pros: Great as an occasional treat.
• Cons: Too much fat can cause obesity or health issues in spiders.

6. Other Insects

Other insects like grasshoppers, katydids, hissing cockroaches, or black soldier fly larvae can also be offered as occasional treats or variety in their diet.

7. Avoid Vertebrate Prey

While wild Goliath birdeaters sometimes eat small vertebrates like frogs or mice, feeding these animals in captivity is generally discouraged because:

• Vertebrate prey may contain parasites or diseases.
• Risk of injury if the animal fights back.
• Ethical concerns regarding feeding live vertebrates.

Most owners focus on invertebrates which sufficiently meet nutritional needs.

Feeding Frequency and Portion Size

Young Goliath birdeaters grow rapidly and require more frequent feedings than adults. Here are general guidelines:

• Spiderlings/juveniles (under 6 months): Feed every 3–4 days with appropriately sized prey.
• Sub-adults (6 months to 1 year): Feed every 5–7 days.
• Adults (over 1 year): Feed every 7–14 days depending on activity level and size.

Portion size is important: offer prey items roughly equal in size or slightly smaller than the spider’s abdomen width. Overfeeding can lead to obesity while underfeeding hampers growth and health.

Nutritional Considerations

Hydration

Goliath birdeaters obtain most of their water from prey but should always have access to clean drinking water via a shallow water dish in their enclosure.

Gut-loading Feeder Insects

Gut-loading refers to feeding nutritious food such as leafy greens, carrots, or commercial gut-load formulas to feeder insects before offering them to your spider. This enhances the nutritional value of prey items by providing essential vitamins and minerals through the food chain.

Calcium and Vitamin Supplements

Unlike reptiles or amphibians, tarantulas rarely need direct vitamin or calcium supplementation if fed a varied diet of healthy insects. Over-supplementation can potentially harm your pet.

How to Feed Your Goliath Birdeater Safely

1. Select live prey: Live prey promotes natural hunting behavior which keeps your tarantula mentally stimulated.
2. Feed appropriate size prey: Prey too large could injure your spider; too small may not provide enough nutrition.
3. Remove uneaten prey promptly: Leaving live insects in the enclosure might stress or harm your tarantula if they decide to bite back.
4. Use feeding tongs if necessary: To avoid accidental bites when handling larger prey.
5. Observe feeding behavior: Healthy tarantulas usually strike quickly; refusal to eat may signal molting or illness.

Common Feeding Problems & Solutions

Refusal to Eat

A common issue when caring for Goliath birdeaters is refusal of food, often related to:

• Imminent molting period.
• Stress from recent relocation.
• Unsuitable prey type or size.

Solution: Offer smaller prey items, reduce disturbance during feeding times, ensure proper temperature/humidity conditions, and try again after a few days.

Overfeeding & Obesity

Feeding too frequently or providing overly fatty foods like waxworms can lead to obesity problems which affect mobility and lifespan.

Solution: Maintain a regulated feeding schedule with balanced prey selection.

Conclusion

Feeding your Goliath birdeater spider a balanced diet centered around nutritious live insects such as crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, and mealworms is key to its health and vitality in captivity. Supplementing with occasional treats like waxworms adds variety but should be used sparingly due to fat content. Always ensure proper portion sizes, maintain hydration with fresh water, and practice safe feeding techniques for optimal care. By understanding the dietary needs specific to this impressive giant tarantula species, you’ll help your pet thrive for years to come.

By following these recommendations on diet quality, variety, frequency, and safety measures you can enjoy watching your Goliath birdeater grow strong and stay healthy—a truly rewarding experience for any tarantula enthusiast!