Tarantulas are fascinating creatures that are known for their carnivorous diet. They will eat a wide range of insects, including crickets, roaches, and even mealworms. However, have you ever wondered if tarantulas can eat stink bugs too? Although stink bugs are not a conventional food for tarantulas, some owners have conducted trials to assess the feasibility of feeding them to tarantulas as part of their dietary regime. In this blog post, we’ll explore whether tarantulas can eat stink bugs, the potential risks involved and whether stink bugs are a suitable food source for these arachnids.
What Are Stink Bugs?
Stink bugs, also known as shield bugs, are Hemiptera insects that resemble a heraldic shield when viewed from above. These bugs are named after the liquid they emit when threatened, which has a strong odor but is not considered harmful. It is worth noting that the term “stink bug” can also refer to other insects unrelated to this particular species, such as the pinacate beetle. Certain types of stink bugs are considered a delicacy in various parts of the world, particularly in North America.
Can Tarantulas Eat Stink Bugs?
Tarantulas are insectivores, so, of course, they can eat stink bugs. However, just because they can eat stink bugs doesn’t mean you should feed your tarantula any random stink bug you find. Not all species of stink bugs are safe for tarantulas to eat. Some stink bugs produce chemicals as a defense mechanism, which could potentially harm a tarantula. So, it’s best to research the specific species of stink bug in question to determine if it’s safe for the tarantula to eat.
Health Benefits Of Stink Bugs For Tarantulas
Edible stink bugs, like the Encosternum Delegorguei Spinola, are famous for being sweet and nutritionally dense. For one, these types of stink bugs are a rich source of fatty acids, which tarantulas require in their food. These stink bugs are also rich in amino acids and protein which can be considered the building blocks of life and a necessary nutrient in any animal’s food. Additionally, edible stink bugs are also a natural source of iron, potassium, and phosphorus. Feeding your tarantula some stink bugs will help round up your tarantula’s diet since it’s always a good idea to diversify their meals.
Health Risks Of Stink Bugs For Tarantulas
It’s extremely important to feed tarantulas only store-bought feeders that are bred as food for pets and captive animals. It’s a really bad idea to catch random stink bugs in the wild or in your house and feed them to your tarantula. You never know where these animals have been or what types of parasites and infections they carry on their body. And since stink bugs are not readily sold as feeders by most pet shops, it might be difficult to get some to buy for your tarantula.
On the other hand, stink bugs are not exactly the best feeder insect available to feed a tarantula. They lack many of the nutrients found in roaches, crickets, and mice which makes them more of a once-in-a-while tarantula meal rather than a staple one. Due to this reason, it isn’t reasonable to feed your tarantula only stink bugs, even if you have a surplus amount of stink bugs available.
How To Feed Stink Bugs To Tarantulas
You are free to feed your tarantula some live stink bugs if you want to. Feeding tarantulas live food is kind of fun since you can watch them stalk and snatch their prey, just like they do in the wild.
Ensure you also remove all the uneaten stink bugs from your tarantula’s enclosure. Dead and uneaten stink bugs can attract parasites to your tarantula’s enclosure if they are left in there, while live stink bugs will disturb your tarantula, especially if they are molting. Due to both reasons, it’s best to remove any uneaten feeders from a tarantulas enclosure at least 24 hours after you drop them inside the enclosure for your tarantula to feed on.
Conclusion
Though stink bugs might be edible, they are not exactly insects that you can just find anywhere. There are alternative insects that are more nutrient-dense, easier to obtain, and cheaper to buy than stink bugs. And since it’s a really bad idea to feed your tarantula some stink bugs you find in the wild, it’s best to forget about stink bugs entirely and stick to other feeders.
