What Do Tarantulas Eat: 10 Shocking Foods That Will Surprise You!

When people wonder what do tarantulas eat, most imagine these eight-legged predators consuming only crickets and beetles. However, the dietary habits of tarantulas are far more diverse and fascinating than many realize. From tiny insects to surprisingly large prey, tarantulas have evolved as opportunistic hunters with appetites that might shock even experienced arachnid enthusiasts.

Understanding what do tarantulas eat is crucial for both wild tarantula conservation efforts and successful captive care. Whether you’re a curious nature lover, a potential tarantula owner, or simply fascinated by these remarkable arachnids, this comprehensive guide will reveal the surprising diversity of tarantula diets across different species and environments worldwide.

The feeding habits of tarantulas vary dramatically based on their size, habitat, and geographic location. From the rainforests of South America to the deserts of North America, these adaptable predators have developed unique hunting strategies and dietary preferences that continue to amaze researchers and pet owners alike.

The Fundamentals of Tarantula Nutrition

Before diving into the shocking specifics of what do tarantulas eat, it’s essential to understand the basic nutritional requirements that drive their feeding behavior. Tarantulas are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed exclusively for processing animal protein.

Primary Nutritional Needs

Tarantulas require high-quality protein sources to support their growth, molting process, and reproduction. Their digestive system secretes powerful enzymes that break down prey externally before consumption, allowing them to extract maximum nutrition from each meal.

Feeding Frequency Patterns

Adult tarantulas typically eat every 1-2 weeks, while juveniles may feed every few days. This infrequent feeding schedule often surprises new pet owners who expect daily feeding routines similar to mammals or birds.

Size-Based Dietary Variations

What do tarantulas eat largely depends on their size and species. Smaller tarantulas focus on insects and arthropods, while larger species can tackle more substantial prey items that would surprise most people.

Shocking Food 1: Birds (Yes, Really!)

One of the most surprising answers to what do tarantulas eat is birds. Several large tarantula species, particularly those found in South American rainforests, regularly hunt and consume small birds, earning them the common name “bird spiders.”

The Goliath Bird-Eating Spider

The Theraphosa blondi, commonly known as the Goliath birdeater, occasionally feeds on small birds, though this represents only a small portion of their diet. These massive spiders, native to the rainforests of South America, can have leg spans reaching 11 inches.

Hunting Techniques for Avian Prey

When targeting birds, large tarantulas typically hunt nestlings or small ground-dwelling species. They use their powerful fangs to inject venom that quickly immobilizes their feathered prey, making this one of the most dramatic examples of what do tarantulas eat in the wild.

Geographic Distribution

Bird predation by tarantulas is most commonly observed in tropical regions of South America, particularly in Venezuela, Guyana, and northern Brazil, where large tarantula species coexist with small bird populations.

Shocking Food 2: Small Mammals and Rodents

Another surprising category in the list of what do tarantulas eat includes small mammals. Large tarantula species have been documented capturing and consuming young mice, small bats, and even tiny marsupials.

Documented Cases

Research from Australian and South American institutions has recorded instances of large huntsman spiders and tarantulas successfully hunting small rodents. These events, while rare, demonstrate the impressive predatory capabilities of the world’s largest spiders.

Nutritional Benefits

Small mammals provide exceptional nutritional value for large tarantulas, offering high protein content and essential fats that support growth and reproduction during breeding seasons.

Shocking Food 3: Fish and Aquatic Creatures

What do tarantulas eat extends beyond terrestrial prey to include aquatic organisms. Some tarantula species living near water sources have been observed catching small fish, tadpoles, and aquatic insects.

Semi-Aquatic Species

Certain tarantula species in Southeast Asia and South America inhabit areas near streams and ponds, where they opportunistically hunt aquatic prey that ventures too close to the water’s edge.

Fishing Behavior

These remarkable spiders can detect water vibrations and will position themselves near the shoreline to ambush unsuspecting aquatic prey, showcasing the diverse hunting strategies that answer what do tarantulas eat.

Shocking Food 4: Other Spiders (Including Their Own Kind)

Cannibalism and spider-on-spider predation represent another shocking aspect of what do tarantulas eat. Both in the wild and in captivity, tarantulas will readily consume other arachnids, including members of their own species.

Intraspecific Predation

During mating seasons, female tarantulas may consume males after reproduction, a behavior observed across numerous species worldwide. This practice provides essential nutrients for egg development.

Interspecific Hunting

Tarantulas frequently prey on other spider species, including orb weavers, wolf spiders, and jumping spiders that share their habitat. This predatory behavior helps control local spider populations.

Shocking Food 5: Reptiles and Amphibians

Small reptiles and amphibians form another surprising category of what do tarantulas eat, particularly for large ground-dwelling species in tropical and subtropical regions.

Lizard Predation

Large tarantulas have been documented successfully hunting small geckos, anoles, and juvenile lizards. The spiders use their speed and venom to overcome these relatively large prey items.

Amphibian Consumption

Frogs and salamanders, especially juveniles and smaller species, occasionally fall prey to opportunistic tarantulas near water sources or in humid forest environments.

Venom Effectiveness

Tarantula venom proves highly effective against reptilian and amphibian nervous systems, allowing these spiders to subdue prey much larger than typical arthropod victims.

Shocking Food 6: Bats

Perhaps one of the most surprising answers to what do tarantulas eat is bats. Several documented cases show large tarantulas successfully hunting small bats, particularly in cave environments and tropical regions.

Cave-Dwelling Hunters

Some tarantula species inhabit cave systems where they position themselves near bat roosting areas, waiting to ambush any bats that fall or fly too close to surfaces.

Nocturnal Encounters

Nighttime interactions between large tarantulas and small bats have been recorded in various tropical locations, with the spiders using their excellent vibration detection to locate approaching prey.

Shocking Food 7: Scorpions

The predation of scorpions by tarantulas represents one of the most dangerous examples of what do tarantulas eat. These encounters pit two formidable arachnids against each other in deadly combat.

Desert Encounters

In arid regions of North and South America, tarantulas and scorpions often compete for similar prey and shelter, leading to predatory encounters where the larger tarantula typically emerges victorious.

Venom Resistance

Some tarantula species have developed partial resistance to scorpion venom, allowing them to successfully hunt these dangerous arthropods as a food source.

Shocking Food 8: Centipedes and Millipedes

Large myriapods, including centipedes and millipedes, form another unexpected category of what do tarantulas eat, despite these prey items possessing their own defensive capabilities.

Venomous Prey

Centipedes present particular challenges as prey due to their own venomous bites, but large tarantulas can overcome these arthropods through superior size and quick striking ability.

Nutritional Value

Centipedes and millipedes provide excellent protein sources for tarantulas, though hunting these prey items requires specific techniques to avoid injury from their defensive mechanisms.

Shocking Food 9: Snakes

Among the most shocking examples of what do tarantulas eat are small snakes. Large tarantula species in tropical regions have been documented successfully hunting juvenile snakes and small snake species.

Size Limitations

Only the largest tarantula species can successfully prey on snakes, and typically only very small or juvenile specimens. The spiders must deliver precise venom injections to overcome these vertebrate prey.

Regional Variations

Snake predation by tarantulas is most commonly observed in South American rainforests, where large spider species coexist with numerous small snake species.

Shocking Food 10: Eggs from Various Animals

The final shocking category of what do tarantulas eat includes eggs from birds, reptiles, and other animals. This behavior showcases the opportunistic feeding strategies of many tarantula species.

Nutritional Benefits

Eggs provide concentrated nutrition that supports tarantula growth and reproduction, making them valuable food sources when available in the environment.

Seasonal Availability

Egg predation typically increases during breeding seasons when various animals are nesting, providing temporary abundant food sources for opportunistic tarantulas.

Standard Tarantula Diet: The Expected Foods

While the shocking foods grab attention, understanding what do tarantulas eat on a regular basis requires examining their standard prey items that form the bulk of their diet.

Primary Prey Categories

• Crickets and grasshoppers
• Roaches and beetles
• Caterpillars and moth larvae
• Ants and termites
• Small flying insects
• Worms and grubs

Captive Diet Considerations

Pet tarantulas typically consume commercially available feeder insects, with crickets, roaches, and mealworms forming the foundation of captive diets across North America and Europe.

Regional Dietary Variations

What do tarantulas eat varies significantly based on geographic location and local ecosystem characteristics.

North American Species

Desert tarantulas in the southwestern United States primarily consume beetles, crickets, and other arthropods adapted to arid environments.

South American Rainforest Species

Tropical tarantulas enjoy more diverse diets, including the shocking prey items mentioned earlier, due to higher biodiversity in rainforest ecosystems.

Asian Species

Tarantulas in Southeast Asia often encounter unique prey items not found in other regions, including specialized arthropods and small vertebrates endemic to these areas.

Feeding Behavior and Hunting Strategies

Understanding what do tarantulas eat requires examining how these predators locate, capture, and consume their prey.

Ambush Hunting

Most tarantulas are ambush predators that wait near their burrows or hiding spots for prey to venture within striking distance.

Active Hunting

Some species, particularly smaller and more agile tarantulas, actively hunt for prey using their excellent vibration detection abilities.

Web-Assisted Capture

While tarantulas don’t build traditional webs, they do produce silk trip-lines and detect vibrations that help them locate approaching prey.

Nutritional Requirements and Feeding Frequency

The diversity of what do tarantulas eat reflects their need for varied nutrition to support different life stages and biological processes.

Molting Nutrition

Before and after molting, tarantulas require specific nutrients found in their varied diet to support the energy-intensive process of shedding their exoskeleton.

Reproductive Nutrition

Breeding tarantulas need additional nutrition, which explains why gravid females often consume larger or more frequent prey items.

Seasonal Variations

Wild tarantulas adjust their feeding behavior based on prey availability, which changes seasonally in most environments.

Captive Feeding Guidelines

For those keeping tarantulas as pets, understanding what do tarantulas eat in captivity helps ensure proper nutrition and health.

Commercial Feeder Options

• Crickets (most common staple food)
• Dubia roaches (excellent nutrition)
• Mealworms (occasional treats)
• Waxworms (high-fat content for breeding females)
• Superworms (for large species)

Feeding Schedule Recommendations

Adult tarantulas should typically be fed every 1-2 weeks, while juveniles may require feeding every 3-5 days depending on their growth rate and species requirements.

Prey Size Guidelines

Appropriate prey size should be no larger than the tarantula’s abdomen, ensuring safe consumption without risk of injury to the spider.

Safety Considerations for Wild Prey

While understanding what do tarantulas eat in nature is fascinating, pet owners should avoid offering wild-caught prey due to potential risks.

Parasites and Diseases

Wild insects may carry parasites or diseases that could harm captive tarantulas, making commercially bred feeders the safer choice.

Pesticide Contamination

Wild prey may contain harmful pesticides or chemicals that could prove toxic to sensitive tarantula systems.

Unknown Nutritional Content

Wild prey nutritional content varies unpredictably, making it difficult to ensure balanced nutrition for captive tarantulas.

Conservation Implications

Understanding what do tarantulas eat helps researchers and conservationists appreciate these spiders’ ecological roles as both predators and prey species.

Ecosystem Balance

Tarantulas help control insect populations while serving as food sources for birds, mammals, and other predators, maintaining ecological balance.

Habitat Protection

Protecting tarantula habitats ensures the continued availability of their diverse food sources, supporting healthy spider populations worldwide.

Conclusion: The Remarkable Diversity of Tarantula Diets

The question of what do tarantulas eat reveals a fascinating world of predatory behavior that extends far beyond simple insect consumption. From birds and small mammals to fish and even snakes, these remarkable arachnids have evolved as adaptable hunters capable of exploiting diverse food sources across various ecosystems.

Understanding the full scope of what do tarantulas eat enhances our appreciation for these complex predators and their important ecological roles. Whether you’re fascinated by their hunting prowess, considering tarantula ownership, or simply curious about nature’s most efficient predators, the dietary diversity of tarantulas continues to surprise and educate.

For current and prospective tarantula owners, this knowledge helps inform proper feeding practices that respect these animals’ natural behaviors while ensuring optimal health in captivity. Remember that while wild tarantulas may consume shocking prey items, captive specimens thrive on carefully selected commercial feeders that provide safe, nutritious meals.

Ready to learn more about these fascinating arachnids? Explore local exotic pet communities, visit reputable spider exhibits, or consult with experienced tarantula keepers to deepen your understanding of these remarkable predators and their surprising dietary habits.