Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I may just be getting impatient, but I received my first spider (male) last tuesday and I have not been able to get him to feed yet. I have tried mice, different size small rats, etc. He is about 150-160 grams. Any suggestions as to things to try or am I just being impatient?

Tuesday as in two days ago, or Tuesday last week? In either case I think I'd let him settle in to his new digs for a couple weeks before even trying. He's probably a bit stressed. Usually if I get something in I'll try to feed later that day and if it's refused I'll wait a couple weeks and try again. As somebody else in here once said........"Patience grasshopper"

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

Last tuesday I got him, so it will be going on 10 days tomorrow. I know patience is needed but I am excited to try to get him ready for this coming breeding season and so its hard to wait. I was just wondering if anyone had suggestions to try and trigger him to eat.

If he's only 150-160 grams now it's doubtful you'll get up to breeding size this season anyhow. It may be true that some males will go at 500 grams or so, but I don't think that's the norm. I'd just feed him up well and let him do his thing next season. JMO.

Quig
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Don't interupt me when I'm talkin' to myself

Keep him in small tub and throw a hidebox in there with him. That may help.

Just my opinion and my experience. 10 Days is long enough for a hatchling to settle in to new surroundings. If you have actually let him settle in and not messed with him every day. Hatchlings don't usually take as long as some adults that shut down after being moved to a new location.
Hopefully you bought him from the breeder and not just some reseller that moved him out as soon as possible because of the price fluctuations. A reseller probably will not have any info for you. Contact the breeder and find out how his box was setup and what he was feeding on. Change you setup and feeding to match the breeders setup and feeding schedule.
If that information is not available then I would suggest adding a hide box. Offer him small food items. Let him get his confidence up. A small rat fuzzy/crawler, eyes still closed or a small fuzzy mouse. Drop it in and leave him alone. I would also feed at night or in a low light condition.
Best of luck

Thanks for the advice. I got him from a very reputable breeder but was surfing on here and thought id post a quick message to get some responses. I dont have a hide box for him so it sounds like thats a good thing to add whether he had one before or not. Thanks again!