How often should you feed?
There is no single feeding interval that suits every Poecilotheria rufilata. A small sling may take modest meals quite regularly, while a large adult can go much longer between feeds.
If a Red Slate Ornamental has eaten recently and the abdomen already looks well filled, wait before offering more. One refused meal is rarely important on its own.
Choosing prey
Offer Poecilotheria rufilata established feeder insects that the spider can overpower without a long struggle. Crickets, locusts and roaches are all commonly used where they are legal and appropriately sized.
For very small Red Slate Ornamentals, use smaller prey or a suitable pre-killed feeder if that makes feeding safer. Increase prey size gradually as the spider grows.
Slings and juveniles
Young Red Slate Ornamentals generally moult more often than adults, so they usually eat smaller meals more frequently. Keep portions sensible and remove leftovers from the Poecilotheria rufilata enclosure.
A juvenile Red Slate Ornamental may stop eating before a moult. If the spider is hiding more, closing its retreat or ignoring prey it would normally take, remove the feeder and give it time.
Adults
Adult Poecilotheria rufilata do not need to be kept permanently full of food. As the spider approaches an adult size of about 18–20 cm (7–8 in), feeding can usually be spaced farther apart than during rapid juvenile growth.
Use the abdomen as a rough guide for Red Slate Ornamentals. If it is already very large, another heavy meal is unnecessary.
Food refusal and premoult
Food refusal in Poecilotheria rufilata can happen for normal reasons including premoult, recent rehousing, maturity or a period of lower appetite. Check water, temperature and the enclosure before assuming there is a problem.
If premoult looks likely in a Red Slate Ornamental, remove live prey and keep fresh water available. Do not keep offering new feeders every day.
Feeding after a moult
After Poecilotheria rufilata moults, wait until the new exoskeleton has hardened and the fangs have darkened before feeding again. Small slings recover faster than large adults.
When a Red Slate Ornamental is ready to eat again, offer a modest first meal rather than several feeders at once.
Water, leftovers and safe feeding
Keep fresh water available to Poecilotheria rufilata even when the spider is feeding well. Remove discarded prey remains before they sit in damp substrate and begin to spoil.
There is no need to hand-feed Red Slate Ornamentals. Place prey into the enclosure from a sensible distance, use tongs for removing leftovers when needed and keep your hands out of the spider's path.