Adult A. chalcodes- Seriously seasonal feeders?

scottyk · Jan 29, 2009

Do these things ever eat? Does anyone who owns one find that they perhaps eat only during the summer months?

I acquired an adult female Aphonopelma chalcodes in September of 2007. I had it for almost 6 months. It was one of the ones I lost during the cross country move in late February 2008. It always looked plump and heathy, and it drank regulary, but it never ate for me.

Fast forward to October 2008. I acquired another adult in a trade that also looks good, drinks water and has not eaten in the amost 4 months I've had it. The only common denominator, besides species, is that it's always been through the winter months. Neither appeared to be in pre-molt. I keep the t room warm, and have had, and currently have, several other Aphonopelma species that eat year round for me.

Any insights from other Desert Blonde owners would be greatly appreciated. If there is only a small seasonal window to feed, I want to make sure to load her up while I can

Thanks,
Scott

naganalf1 · Mar 24, 2009

my two

I'm actually quite relieved to see your post ... I have had two A. chalcodes slings for nearly 2 months now and they have no interest in eating. It's completely different from my G. pulchra slings and my B. vagans sling, who regularly eat twice a week. It's been driving me nuts and yet they look fine -- nice size abdomens.

I was disappointed that no one else with A. chalcodes experience answered your post, but at least I know I'm not alone.

arrowhd · Mar 24, 2009

I keep several Aphonopelma including A. chalcodes. Mine tend to eat until pretty plump then stop for a few months. I don't think what your experiencing is unusual. Seems like there metabolism is so slow they just don't need to eat very often.

scottyk · Mar 24, 2009

naganalf1 said:
I was disappointed that no one else with A. chalcodes experience answered your post, but at least I know I'm not alone.

Yes, I guess that this is not the most "en vogue" of species. I had actually forgotten that I posted this

Mine still looks great and still has not eaten. I have high hopes that she will in the next month or two when things start warming up around here...

Thanks to both of you for the replies!

Bill S · Mar 24, 2009

I hadn't noticed the original post - but I've got two locally caught A. chalcodes. Both stopped eating in about October. The smaller of the two dug itself a burrow and walled itself off. Neither fed all winter long. The little one emerged a few days ago and pounced on the first cricket it saw. The larger one hasn't eaten yet - but it looks very plump and is probably in pre-molt.

I also have a Scolopendra heros - the local gaint of the centipede world. It, like the smaller of the tarantulas, was caught in my house. (The larger tarantula was caught outside on the steps.) The Scolopendra went underground and dormant about the same time the tarantulas did, and it emerged and ate its first cricket the same day the small A. chalcodes did. Tucson and area get some freezing temps during the winter, and food sources for tarantulas and centipedes notably decreases, so I guess it makes sense that they dig in and go dormant during that time.

varanidfan · Mar 24, 2009

I have a male A.chalcodes and it hasnt eaten in the last 2 months as well. Just as the rest of you It's nice and plump and drinks regularly. Great T's!

scottyk · Sep 22, 2009

Thought I'd bump this thread back up for a couple of reasons...

We seem to have had a lot of posts lately with the theme, "my tarantula has not eaten in a few days or weeks". I thought it would be good to show some of our newer members what a tarantula not eating for an extended period really means

Also, just wanted to give an anniversary update. It's been just about one year and this girl has still not eaten a single thing! Based on the dark abdomen, I believe she's been in pre molt the entire time. Lately it's become a bit darker, and she is stiffening up, so I believe the molt may finally be coming. However I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't happen until spring 2010.

Here is a pic from today. As you can see, she is still looking good!

Enjoy,
Scott

Ictinike · Sep 22, 2009

Pretty girl and oh my a year without feeding!

Just goes to show how resilient and carefree *some* T's can be

JimM · Sep 22, 2009

Chalcodes are notorious for this.
I had one for over a year and it never ate in my care. I sold her, and she didn't eat for the next owner either before he finally gave her to someone else.

lilmoonrabbit · Sep 22, 2009

wow, that is a beautiful spider. Seriously, I had no idea that species could be so pretty.

One is officially on my list of Ts to get, now

scottyk · Sep 22, 2009

Yes, she's a beauty, and really cheap to feed

I may need to start marketing these as Aphonopelma Sp. recession. Their appetite is guaranteed to slow down right along with the economy

JimM · Sep 22, 2009

lilmoonrabbit said:
wow, that is a beautiful spider. Seriously, I had no idea that species could be so pretty.

One is officially on my list of Ts to get, now

Maybe the best handling T ever...virtually impossible to get them to even think about biting.

thumpersalley · Sep 22, 2009

I have one & she eats every other week. I wasnt aware of them being notorious for not eating until today when I read the post. Shes very aggressive too & will attack anything that moves in her tank. Even the water when I pour it in her dish. Guess Im lucky? Kim :?

scottyk · Sep 22, 2009

thumpersalley said:
I have one & she eats every other week. I wasnt aware of them being notorious for not eating until today when I read the post. Shes very aggressive too & will attack anything that moves in her tank. Even the water when I pour it in her dish. Guess Im lucky? Kim :?

How big is yours? Adults are known to go through some seriously long pre molt periods. Don't be surprised, or necessarily alarmed if yours eventually does something like this.

thumpersalley · Sep 22, 2009

Shes 4 inches

Ictinike · Sep 22, 2009

scottyk said:
Yes, she's a beauty, and really cheap to feed

I may need to start marketing these as Aphonopelma Sp. recession. Their appetite is guaranteed to slow down right along with the economy

LOL Marketing at it's finest!

scottyk · Sep 22, 2009

Ictinike said:
LOL Marketing at it's finest!

Can you tell that I'm in corporate sales

Thumpersalley- Feel free to add your info to this thread if yours stops eating. I'm hoping to eventually update this with a fresh molt pic and first meal report. It should make for an interesting record. Much like what JimM reported, the person I traded her for told me she hadn't eaten in the six months prior to me picking her up. Who knows how long it's actually been...

If nothing else she's teaching me to be patient

mickey66 · Sep 23, 2009

A.Chalcodes

lilmoonrabbit said:
wow, that is a beautiful spider. Seriously, I had no idea that species could be so pretty.

One is officially on my list of Ts to get, now

You should see what I believe to be variants of A.Chalcodes Flagstaff Orange,New River Rust Rump,Payson Blonde etc.

Ether Imp · Sep 23, 2009

mickey66 said:
You should see what I believe to be variants of A.Chalcodes Flagstaff Orange,New River Rust Rump,Payson Blonde etc.

I have Payson blondes (I believe.. or something close.) I'm always shocked when I see people say "Aphonopelmas are dull looking."

I'll get some good pictures up eventually of my Mature Female. She's beautiful.

scottyk · Sep 23, 2009

Ether Imp said:
I have Payson blondes (I believe.. or something close.) I'm always shocked when I see people say "Aphonopelmas are dull looking."

I'll get some good pictures up eventually of my Mature Female. She's beautiful.

Same here. I wish there was more widespread interest in our US native species. Get those pics up!

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