Today I want to touch on one of the most important topics in the maintenance of tarantula spiders, this is feeding. I will immediately note that the article is written for beginners, and will contain simple tips and rules that experienced keepers have known for a long time.
What to feed a tarantula spider:
Tarantula spiders, contrary to their name, do not eat birds, but feed on small (about the size of a spider's body), insects, which they hunt in their natural habitat. How to feed a tarantula spider at home?
The answer to this question is very simple - food insects. The most popular food insects are marble , Turkmen , Madagascar , Argentine and other cockroaches, as well as larvae zofobasa and flour worm.
These are general rules, many consider them optional, and videos often appear on the Internet in which the spider is fed mice, or insects with the streets. To be honest, I also like to feed my pets with captured song grasshoppers as a couple.
Why you can not feed the tarantula spider with insects from the street:
Small vertebrates in the form of frogs or newborn mice are very heavy food for a spider, he will eat it for several days, and at that time it will begin to decompose and fill with cadaveric poisons. Also on the forums I sometimes saw reports that after feeding with vertebrate spiders, for unknown reasons, they fell ill with DS. It is not known whether this is related or not, but, in my opinion, it is better not to risk it.
Again, if you still decide to feed the tarantula spider with small vertebrates, then make sure that the animal is healthy and bought in a trusted place. Choose animals according to size, you should not give large animals to the tarantula spider, they can damage it.
Also, do not feed the tarantula spider with other predatory insects, such as praying mantises, other spiders, or centipedes. There were cases when the prey won the battle and killed the tarantula spider.
Summarize: you need to feed the tarantula spider fodder insects suitable size (approximately the body of a tarantula, excluding paws), purchased from a trusted place, or from their own colonies.
How often to feed a tarantula spider:
After we figured out what to feed the tarantula spider, let's find out how often it should be done.
An adult tarantula should be fed 1-2 times a week, appropriate in size. food insects. When the tarantula eats enough, it will stop paying attention to food, but sometimes you need to determine for yourself that the spider is “enough” and stop feeding.
Usually a sign that the tarantula has eaten is an increase in the abdomen in relation to the cephalothorax by 1.5-2 times. After this happens, feeding should be stopped, in order to avoid rupture of the abdomen.
The feeding of small tarantula spiders is a little more specific, and I took it out in a separate which you can read by going to link .
- Do not feed the tarantula after molting for a certain number of days, which can be calculated using the formula: number of molts + 3-4 days. Otherwise, the food may damage the spider, or other, more specific problems may arise.
- If the tarantula does not eat, do not sound the alarm and create topics on the forums like: “Alba does not eat for the 4th day, what should I do?”. Refusal to eat is absolutely normal for tarantulas, some of them can go on hunger strikes for a period of 1-3 months, without harm to health. This is usually famous for the genusGrammostola .
- If the tarantula spider does not eat the insect right away, then you can press down on the insect's head and leave it with the spider overnight. If by morning, the spider does not eat the insect, then the corpse must be removed.
- Do not leave food insects in the spider's cage unattended to avoid a number of problems that may arise. For example, when molting, a hungry cockroach or a zofobas larva can damage a spider, a female cockroach can give birth in a container with a spider, and the babies will scatter through the ventilation, and so on.
That seems to be all that I wanted to tell, maybe it didn’t turn out very orderly, but there are a lot of tips and some of them are even good. And so, with time and experience, you yourself will understand what and when to feed your tarantula. Thank you for your attention.
&n bsp © 2014-2018 website &n bsp Author:
The most popular question asked about this obligate predator is: is the tarantula spider poisonous or not? We will answer it, and also tell you how to feed the tarantula and how to keep it without risk to your own life.
What are tarantulas
The Latin, scientific name for these predators is Theraphosidae. They belong to the family of spiders, which are characterized by a bright color. Tarantulas are quite large. The span of their paws can reach 20 centimeters.
The type of this exotic pet depends on the conditions of detention, the type of feeding and how long the pet will live in your home. The two main species are the terrestrial and arboreal tarantulas. They are also divided into types.
He likes to live on tree trunks. Little spiders live on the ground, and also dig small holes.
Semi-arboreal tarantula
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In recent years, more and more people are choosing to adopt exotic animals as pets. The line has reached the miniature fennec fox, which seems to be one of the cutest creatures on the planet. What kind of cute animal is this, and what conditions are needed for keeping it in the house - we tell!
Despite the fact that the human being is naturally afraid of spiders, many are increasingly choosing them as exotic pets. Spider owners say it's perfect if you don't have time to take care of your little friend. If you do not suffer from arachnophobia and dream of acquiring an unusual pet, we will help you understand the features of care and maintenance, types of spiders, as well as all the pros and cons of such a choice.
What spiders can be kept at home
Not all types of arthropods can be kept at home. Some of them are deadly poisonous, while others have an unremarkable appearance (for example, a gray spider or a haymaker spider, which most often live in secluded corners of houses and apartments). Many opt for tarantulas, and there are several reasons for this:
- They have a presentable appearance: large size, bright color, hairy body.
- This species includes more than a hundred subspecies, from which you can choose a pet for every taste.
- They live somewhat longer than other species.
- They can reproduce in captivity.
- Tarantula venom does not pose a mortal threat to a healthy adult.
Popular types of tarantulas are: white-haired, bicolor, giant, striped, horned and others. In addition to tarantulas, tarantulas, cross spiders, wolf spiders or jumping spiders are often the choice. The listed species rarely bite people (only in the event of a sudden attack), but even if this happens, their poison does not cause any serious consequences.
Where to keep
Usually, glass or plastic terrariums with good sealing are used to keep spiders. They can be of a horizontal and vertical type: the former are suitable for terrestrial spiders, while arboreal species require a vertical type of dwelling with effective ventilation. Therefore, it is very important to know the type of your pet in order to recreate natural conditions for him as accurately as possible.
Most species do not need much space, as they spend almost all the time passively, hiding in hollows, minks and other shelters. However, the length of the dwelling must be at least twice the distance of the pet's leg span. In a terrarium that is too large, the pet will experience obvious discomfort and a desire to hide away. 
The terrarium should also not be too high, so that when falling from the walls, the pet is not damaged. For example, for adult tarantulas, a container of the following parameters is quite enough: 30*30*20 cm. larger size, based on the size of the pet.
It is important to understand that the needs of spiders in space are fundamentally different from most of the animals we are used to - the arthropod does not need much space for walking and activity.
Is it possible to keep several individuals in one container
Under natural conditions, some species of spiders can live together, and these can even be individuals of different sexes and age groups. However, in captivity, it is not recommended to keep two or more representatives of the same species in one container - this is associated with high risks of aggression or cannibalism, and as a result, injury or death of pets. It is also necessary to seat the babies after the first molt.
Important!The joint maintenance of spiders of different species in the vast majority of cases ends in the death of one of the pets.
In order for an exotic pet to please you with its presence for a long time, you need to work on the equipment of its home. When arranging a terrarium, it is necessary to think over the lighting, decor and filler, regulate the temperature and humidity of the air. 
What do you need in a terrarium
Be sure to have a layer of substrate in the terrarium. Firstly, it will help to recreate a more natural environment for the pet, and he will not sit on bare plastic or glass. Secondly, the main task of the substrate is to maintain a stable level of humidity inside the container. For this reason, neither sand nor stones are suitable as a filler. The most acceptable options are vermiculite and coconut filler. Both fillers are highly hygroscopic.
The need for decor is determined by the type of your pet. For example, for spiders weaving a web, no special decor is required, since soon it will not be noticeable under a layer of beautiful lace. Main - provide the pet with all the conditions for weaving. But for species that like to hide in shelters, you can buy ceramic houses, castles and shards, cork oak products or artificial plants.
Sealing and ventilation
It doesn't matter what you use as a home - a food bowl or a special glass terrarium, it must be securely closed with a lid, otherwise one morning you may find that the spider's house is empty, and its owner is walking around your apartment. But when sealing the container, do not forget that the arthropod needs fresh air and good ventilation of the container, so several holes should be made in the lid through which the spider will not get out, but will get access to oxygen. If the pet lives in a plastic container, it is better to make holes on the side wall in two rows: from below and from above. To do this, you can use a hot nail of a small diameter. 
Lighting
The need for decor depends on the type of spider. For example, for tarantulas there is no need to install additional light, as they are nocturnal inhabitants who are excellent at navigating in the dark. If you want to install light, give preference to infrared lamps - their radiation is invisible to the pet. It is undesirable to choose incandescent lamps, and yet if you choose this option, install them outside the container to prevent burns to the animal and drying out of the air.
Temperature
Spiders are able to tolerate a very large temperature range. Optimal indicators are 23-26°C. Additional heating may be needed only during the transitional autumn-spring period, when the heating is already turned off or not yet working. To provide heat, you can purchase special cords and plates for heating, as well as a thermostat. Devices must be installed either under the container (for tree spiders) or on the walls of the house (for terrestrial species).
Important!The temperature in the room and terrarium should not exceed 31°C.
Humidity
This indicator is very important for the health and well-being of the pet. The required humidity level for each species may vary. You can determine the deficiency or excess of moisture by the behavior of the pet:
- the spider constantly sits at the drinking bowl, dragging soil into it - it is too dry in the container;
- the spider constantly sits on the walls of the tank - this behavior indicates excessive humidity (but sometimes this can just be a pet's favorite habit);
- arboreal species descends to the substrate - dry in the container;
It is not worth spraying the substrate with a spray bottle; instead, it is better to use a syringe without a needle or a watering can with a thin hole. It is important to determine by eye when there will be enough moisture (the substrate should get wet by 2/3). Adults in the container must have a drinking bowl, it is worth choosing its size in such a way that the pet cannot fit in it and drown itself. Keep in mind that swamp breeding should not be allowed in the terrarium. In conditions of excessive humidity, midges, mold and fungus easily start up, which can kill the arthropod. 
What is required in the care of a spider
So, it is obvious that the following accessories will be required to keep an exotic pet:
- sealed container made of glass or plastic;
- drinker;
- filler;
- air heater;
- thermometer;
- decor (depending on the type of spider);
- a small plastic box for isolating a pet (for example, when cleaning a terrarium);
- long tweezers, 20-25 cm (for feeding and garbage collection);
- long brush (helps with pet transplantation);
- additional lighting (depending on the type).
Did you know? For agriculture, spiders are very useful - their main food is insects that destroy crops. Thus, spiders annually save up to 30% of the world's crop!
How to feed a spider at home
Spiders are representatives of obligate predators, therefore they must eat exclusively products of animal origin. The most common food for spiders are fodder insects: various types of cockroaches (Turkmen, Argentine, marble), larvae, flour worms. You need to buy food in specialized stores. It is not recommended to feed your pet with pet cockroaches, flies, any insects or small animals that you have caught yourself.
Firstly, one cannot be sure of their health (many insects can be carriers of diseases), and secondly, it can be difficult for a spider to cope with a large insect, frog or mice, moreover, such food is not familiar to him.The frequency of feeding is determined by the age of the pet. Toddlers and teenage spiders need food 3 times a week, adults need to be fed 1-2 times. The size of one serving should correspond to the dimensions of your pet's belly. However, in many cases, spiders are able to eat much larger portions. You need to give food with tweezers, the remains after the meal must be removed. 
Important!Do not panic if your pet has no appetite. The period of rest from food can last weeks and even months in some spiders.
In no case should you overfeed the spider. This increases the risk of a hernia or injury if it falls from the wall of the terrarium, and besides, such specimens are not suitable for breeding. If the pet refuses food, but at the same time its abdomen is of a normal size (it has not fallen), there are no injuries on the body, there will be no molting soon and its conditions are good, then you don’t have to worry.Terrarium cleaning
Careful cleaning of the terrarium with the replacement of the substrate is necessary every 8-12 months, as well as if mold or fungus has started. There is no need to clean your home more often. You should always clean up leftover food with tweezers after a meal. At the time of cleaning, the tenant must be transplanted into a container. To do this, you need to open the terrarium, use a brush to push the spider to the container. 
Moulting period
Molting is a physiological, very important period for spiders, during which the growth and renewal of the whole organism occurs. Shedding consists of shedding the old hard cuticle and growing a new one. The process is started under the influence of special hormones. During the period when the new cuticle (exoskeleton) has not yet hardened, the pet is very vulnerable and defenseless.
You can understand that a molt is soon planned by the behavior of the arthropod: the spider stops eating, becomes inactive. Tarantulas create a bed of cobwebs for themselves, lay on their backs and stay in this position until the old skeleton is shed. The speed of this process depends on the age of the pet: the younger the spider, the faster the molt passes. 
What you need to remember the owner of the spider during the molting period:
- you can’t offer food to the spider during this period - live food insects can damage your pet;
- you need to feed the arthropod no earlier than 2-3 weeks;
- in no case should you touch the spider, especially when it lies on its back;
- do not try in any way to "help" the pet get rid of the old skeleton;
- you can remove the old skeleton only after the pet turns over and stands confidently on its feet.
Did you know? In terms of strength, the web is equated to steel wire. If it were possible to create a rod from a web only 0.5 cm thick, it could stop a tank or a bulldozer. The only reason why this durable and environmentally friendly material is not used in industry is the inability to recreate it in the laboratory.
How many years live
Of course, the life expectancy of a pet will depend on how correctly you can create conditions for it. However, in general, with good care, spiders of various species have the following life expectancy:
- tarantulas - live an average of 15-20 years;
- tarantulas - life expectancy is highly dependent on the species, some in captivity live only 1-2 years, but there are varieties that can live up to 20-30 years (females live longer than males);
- cross - a maximum of six months live, males die after mating, females - after creating a cocoon;
- jumper - in captivity, females live up to 3 years, males live 1-2 years;
- peacock spider - lives a maximum of 9 months;
- goliaths - females live up to 8-9 years, males - up to 6 years.
Is it possible to take
Most often, such questions are asked by owners of large species, for example, tarantulas and tarantulas. It should be clearly understood that spiders cannot be considered full-fledged tame animals, they are guided by physiological instincts, which is why attempts to play with a pet, train it or try to carry it in your arms are completely pointless and doomed to failure.
You also need to be aware that a change of scenery will always be very stressful for a spider, especially if the temperature, lighting and humidity of the environment differ from those in the terrarium. Any careless movement can lead to injury or death of the arthropod, especially in the case of small species and babies. Some species can immediately run away from you (for example, jumping spiders), and it will be very difficult to find a fugitive in an apartment. In a state of stress, a pet can bite you, and although the bite will not be fatal, pain is guaranteed. Spider venom can be dangerous if you have allergies (which you may not even know about). 
All pets have a different character, so some may calmly respond to your attempts to invite him into the palm of your hand, others will strive to bite as soon as you put your hand into the terrarium. Based on this, it is not recommended to attempt to pick up a pet.
What to do if a spider bites
As mentioned earlier, the bites of spiders, which are often kept at home, do not pose a deadly threat if you do not have allergies. Otherwise, anaphylactic shock may occur with the most negative consequences. 
A bite is often accompanied by such symptoms: itching, redness, pain and swelling in the affected area. Occasionally, malaise may occur and body temperature may rise. All symptoms go away after a few days. The algorithm of actions for a bite is as follows:
- If a limb is affected, it must be pulled over with a bandage or rope above the bite.
- Wash the puncture site with soapy water and treat with an antiseptic.
- Apply an ice compress.
- Drink plenty of water for a speedy detox.
- If necessary, drink an antihistamine.
Content pros and cons
Before deciding to purchase such a pet, weigh the pros and cons of keeping it.
Among the advantages:
- does not require a lot of time and money for care and maintenance;
- silent, calm and almost imperceptible animal;
- it is interesting to observe the behavior of the spider.
- there is always a risk that the spider will bite, run away;
- some species have a very short lifespan;
- cannot be trained, is not a tame pet in the standard sense.
Important!For children, the elderly, people with allergies or other serious illnesses, a spider bite can be bad!
Such an exotic pet will clearly attract the attention of all visitors to your home. If you and other family members do not have arachnophobia or allergies, then it is perfectly acceptable to have a spider. But if you want to get emotional feedback from a pet, spend more time with him, then you should look at more social types of animals.
Video: keeping exotic spiders at home
What are the spiders in the car? What are they doing there and are they needed at all? Motorists affectionately call a spider a tubular exhaust manifold, which is an integral part of the exhaust system. Why a spider? Yes, simply because the appearance of this important detail resembles the paws of a spider. And its appearance is due to the functions performed by the collector. It is designed to "take" exhaust gases from the engine cylinders and, collecting them into a common pipe, conduct them to the following parts of the exhaust system. Another important function of the collector (spider) is the efficient blowing and filling of the combustion chambers.
Structurally, there are two types of spiders (schemes): stinger 4-2-1 spider and 4-1 spider. The fundamental difference between these schemes is that in the 4-2-1 scheme, gases from four cylinders are first collected in four pipes, which then go into two pipes, and then are already connected into one. In the 4-1 scheme, everything is simpler: from four cylinders to four pipes and immediately to the general one. Already from this simple description, it is clear that the 4-2-1 spider has a large length, allowing it to provide good airflow at low speeds and prevent the reverse movement of exhaust gases. The 4-1 spider is shorter, so it provides better airflow and, accordingly, an increase in power, but only at high speeds.
To reduce the heating of the working collector and the space around it, thermal insulation of the collector is carried out during installation (for example, a heat-reflecting shield is installed or a high-temperature pipe braid is used).
Among domestic motorists, the 4-2-1 spider is more popular, since the small diameter of the pipes that are used in it provide a higher exhaust gas flow rate, which is important for efficient purge of the combustion chambers in a larger speed range.
That is why the Stinger company has released a whole line of such manifolds for VAZ cars.
Spider on VAZ
The spider on the VAZ was developed taking into account the technical features of the VAZ vehicles. The competitive advantage of Stinger is undoubtedly the production of manifolds for all VAZ models.
spider on VAZ 2105: made of stainless steel or high quality steel 08 PS, metal thickness 1.5 mm., primary pipes 38 mm in diameter, secondary pipes 43 mm in diameter, secondary pipes 620 mm long, outlet diameter 51 mm
spider on VAZ 2107: has the same parameters as the spider on the VAZ 2105, can be installed both with a standard resonator (however, welding is required in this case), and with silencers and Stinger resonators (spider 4 2 1 is installed on the VAZ 2107 without using welding) .
spider on VAZ 2108: metal thickness 1.5 mm., primary pipes with a diameter of 38 mm, secondary pipes with a diameter of 43 mm, and a length of 440 mm, an outlet with a diameter of 51 mm, Mounting this manifold contributes to an increase in power.
spider on VAZ 2109: primary pipes with a diameter of 38 mm, the length of the pipes from the flange to the secondary pipes is 350 mm, the secondary pipes are 43 mm in diameter, the secondary pipes are 440 mm long, the outlet is 51 mm in diameter, the distance to flaring is 130 mm, the metal thickness is 1.5 mm. A spider 4 2 1 is mounted on a VAZ 2109 with a standard resonator by welding, with resonators and stinger mufflers - without welding, it contributes to an increase in power.
spider on VAZ 2110: designed for engine displacement 1500-1600 cm3, stainless steel is used in the manufacture, primary pipes with a diameter of 38 mm, secondary pipes with a diameter of 43 mm, an outlet with a diameter of 51 mm. A spider 4 2 1 is mounted on a VAZ 2110 in a standard system; it does not require welding; it can be used as a replacement for a catalyst.
spider stinger subaru sound: designed for models VAZ-2170, VAZ-2172, VAZ-2173 VAZ-2110-12, have the same technical characteristics (diameter of primary and secondary pipes, length, wall thickness) as the previous models, however, a distinctive feature of this spider is that it mimics Subaru's noble "voice".
Call us at the numbers listed on the site, we will help you pick up a "spider".
Many owners of the VAZ 2114 do not always like the operation of the power plant in the factory version. The engine of this car is equipped with an injection power system tuned to the Euro-3 standard. And it is precisely because of this standard that the gas exhaust system “eats” up to 10 liters. With. power.
To eliminate this unpleasant fact, many are subjecting the exhaust system to modernization, installing the place of a regular tuning manifold, popularly called the "Spider".
"Spider" is the same collector, but with separate exhaust gases from the engine cylinders at the initial stage. The essence of the work of the "Spider" is a better scavenging and cleaning of the cylinders from exhaust gases due to pressure fluctuations in the exhaust system. To achieve the desired effect in the manufacture of "Spider" pipes of a certain length are used. Moreover, the pipes connected to the block head are installed in the order of engine operation.
Types
Now the market sells "Spider" of two types: 4-1 and 4-2-1. The difference between them comes down to the fact that in the first type, 4 pipes that are connected to the head of the block converge into one pipe, and it is already connected to the catalyst. The "spider" of the second type is different in that its 4 pipes first go into 2 pipes, and those, in turn, into one that is connected to the catalyst. In addition, the internal cavity of the "Spider" does not have the filling that is in the standard collector. This filling ensures compliance with the Euro-3 standard, and it also “presses” the VAZ 2114 engine.
The type of "Spider" also affects the achievement of the desired effect. In order for pressure fluctuations in the exhaust system with type 4-1 to provide good scavenging of the cylinders, the engine speed must be above 6500 rpm. That is, it is advisable to install such a "Spider" only on forced engines that provide high speeds.
Type 4-2-1 allows you to achieve the desired effect even at low speeds, which makes it possible to use them on the VAZ-2114 even without alterations to the power plant.
It should be noted that the Spider itself, installed instead of the standard manifold, will not particularly affect the operation of the engine, it will also require the removal of the catalyst and the installation of a resonator and a direct-flow exhaust system. In general, the entire exhaust system will have to be changed. After such alterations, the VAZ-2114 will not meet any standards, but the car will become more playful. In addition, in the future, it will not be necessary to replace a clogged catalyst, since it simply will not be in the system.
