Keeper guide

Why Is My Brazilian Red and White Tarantula Not Eating? — Nhandu chromatus

A Brazilian Red and White Tarantula refusing food is often normal. Nhandu chromatus may fast before a moult, after rehousing, at maturity or simply during a period of lower appetite.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
New World
Origin
Brazil
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Common
Maximum size
about 16–18 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Male lifespan
roughly 3–5 years
Female lifespan
12–15+ years
Temperament
Bold feeder; can be skittish and quick to use urticating hairs
Venom
Venom is not generally regarded as medically significant; urticating hairs can be irritating
Temperature
20–27°C
Moisture / humidity
Moderate moisture in lower substrate with good ventilation and a water dish
CITES
Not listed

The first thing to check

Look at the whole situation before worrying about a missed meal from Nhandu chromatus. Check whether the abdomen is already well filled, whether the spider is hiding more and whether a moult may be approaching.

Make sure a Brazilian Red and White Tarantula has access to fresh water and that the enclosure is within the normal temperature range of 20–27°C.

Premoult fasting

Premoult is one of the most common reasons Brazilian Red and White Tarantulas stop eating. Heavier webbing, a closed retreat and changes to the exposed abdomen can support that explanation.

If Nhandu chromatus appears to be in premoult, remove live prey and stop offering more until after the moult and hardening period.

After rehousing or disturbance

A recently moved Brazilian Red and White Tarantula may ignore food while it establishes a retreat. Give Nhandu chromatus time to settle instead of treating the first refusal as a husbandry emergency.

With Nhandu chromatus, repeatedly opening the enclosure, moving the hide or offering prey every day can prolong disturbance. Keep water available and try again later.

Adults and mature males

Adult Nhandu chromatus often eat less frequently than fast-growing juveniles. Mature males may become more active around the enclosure and less interested in food after the ultimate moult.

Do not try to force-feed a Brazilian Red and White Tarantula. Offer suitable prey occasionally and remove it if the spider is not interested.

When to offer food again

After a normal refusal, wait before trying Nhandu chromatus again. The exact interval depends on size and life stage, but there is no need to replace an ignored feeder immediately.

When a Brazilian Red and White Tarantula resumes normal activity after a moult or fasting period, start with a sensible meal rather than several feeders at once.

When to look beyond appetite

Food refusal in Nhandu chromatus matters more when it appears alongside other problems such as obvious loss of body condition, difficulty moving or an enclosure issue that could limit access to water.

Appetite alone is a poor measure of health in Brazilian Red and White Tarantulas. Use the spider's overall condition, recent moults and normal behaviour to decide whether the fast is unusual for Nhandu chromatus.