Sun Spider Food?

[Cloudk]

I've had a sun spider now for about 5 months. Found the little guy in my house. Anyway, since i have a colony of dubia roaches, i've been feeding him the little baby roaches. But he isn't looking plump like the other pet sun spiders i've seen. Is there something better i can feed him? I think he's just "surviving" on the roaches. I want him THRIVING. Any arachnid advice would be helpful. Thank you

 

[Wiggles92]

You're not feeding it enough if it's not getting plump.

Does it not "like" eating the roaches? Some arachnids prefer crickets and other softer-bodied prey over the harder roaches.

 

[Cloudk]

He will only eat every few days. So maybe he's eating the roaches just cause he's starving? I have some waxworms. Can i feed him those? And just now i lifted up his hide and his legs were sticking up. Not belly-up dead. If i poke him he wriggles around. Apparently readjusting himself. His skin resembles the whitish color when my snakes shed. Is he molting too? I misted in the tank just incase, but some confermation would ease my worries. Thank you.

 

[Chub_by]

Spiders shed their skin...leave it alone until it's finished

 

[Cloudk]

will do!

 

[Chub_by]

And when it is finished...PICS!!

 

[Wiggles92]

It sounds like it's molting. Just leave it alone and give it a week or so before trying to feed it; it takes a few days for the fangs to completely harden after a shed. After that point, try a few wax worms and go from there; those shouldn't be the main diet, but they'll help get some weight on it.

 

[Cloudk]

What should i try for a staple food? I can only make it to the petstore once a month. So crickets are a questionable option. Any longer lasting, less smelly option? Will do on the pics!

 

[Wiggles92]

What should i try for a staple food? I can only make it to the petstore once a month. So crickets are a questionable option. Any longer lasting, less smelly option? Will do on the pics!

It should be fine on a few large crickets each week, so you should be able to maintain the necessary amounts for that time period without cannibalism & a bad smell as long as you give the crickets enough food, water, and space. Figure that you might need 20 large crickets each, so you're not looking at a ton of them.

Crickets are really your only healthy option if it doesn't want to eat roaches; all other invertebrates are best fed as treats while vertebrate prey should be avoided.

 

[Cloudk]

He hasn't shed yet...? Should i be worried? I can only find info on spider molting. Sux to have an uncommon pet...