Tarantulas have been a relatively popular pet for several years. They are unique, quiet, and require little space, and keeping tarantulas as pets can be a fascinating hobby. In fact, tarantulas are one of the most exotic and low-maintenance pets you’ll find. Additionally, tarantulas are tame and can be fairly well trained as pets.
Tarantulas are a member of the spider family. Like other spiders, they have 8 legs and 8 eyes close together. Beyond that, there are some very interesting and distinctive features that set them apart from other spiders. They have very hairy bodies and legs, and can live for about 30 years. They do not spin webs, but catch prey by chasing and fighting. Many tarantulas also “talk” by producing a hissing sound by rubbing their jaws or front legs together.
There are more than 800 species of tarantulas. They are native to many areas and climates in the wild. They are roughly divided into two groups: “old world” (from the eastern hemisphere) and “new world” (from the western hemisphere). Regarding the care of pets, they are further divided into desert or tropical species, and terrestrial or aboreal (trees).
Tarantulas range in size from just an inch or so to relative giants measuring almost a foot across. The Goliath tarantula, which inhabits South America, reaches a body length of 5 inches with a leg span of up to 12 inches. Even small tarantulas reach a relatively large body length of 1.5 inches. However, the vast majority of species remain small enough to be safely and comfortably housed in a standard 5- to 10-gallon terrarium or aquarium tank (a cover should be provided to prevent escape).
Most tarantulas are black (most males) or brown (most females), but some species exhibit striking colors. The Mexican red-legged tarantula has bright red leg markings and the cobalt blue tarantula has deep blue legs. The degree of coloration varies by species and geographic location. Even “plain” brown spiders vary greatly in hue, from a light tan, through reddish brown, to dark brown.
As an example of the pet tarantula, an excellent and popular choice for the beginning spider owner is the pink rose or Chilean rose tarantula. It grows to a manageable 3 to 4 inches and is relatively mild in temperament. They are naturally docile, slow-moving animals that can be easily handled by the novice keeper with some care. It is also a ground-dwelling spider, which means it lives in a burrow during the day and usually feeds at night. The ground dweller is a much easier habitat to replicate for your spider to feel at home and comfortable.
Another fascinating phenomenon that the tarantula displays is molting. Tarantulas have exoskeletons and no internal skeletons. Exoskeletons do not allow for growth, so in order for the tarantula to grow, it must shed its old exoskeleton. The old exoskeleton splits and the spider comes out. Adult tarantulas molt once or twice a year, and baby tarantulas molt more often because they grow so quickly.
Observing the moulting of tarantulas is surely one of the most exciting experiences to have them. If you notice that your tarantula is on its back, it is probably shedding its skin. Most tarantulas will fast for about a week before molting begins and will definitely not eat during molting. Don’t put live crickets or other food in the cage during the molt. The new exoskeleton takes several days to harden. Molting is stressful for a spider, and it’s also completely vulnerable at the time, so don’t touch or disturb it at all at this point, just watch it in fascination!
Like we said at the beginning, tarantulas are one of the lowest maintenance pets you’ll find. A 5- to 10-gallon aquarium or terrarium tank (with a lid to prevent leakage) will work just fine. And once a habitat is initially set up, the only essentials left to do is a weekly or twice weekly feeding, and regularly misting the habitat with some room temperature bottled water to maintain proper humidity.
As food, live crickets or other similar insects can be purchased at your local pet store, but you should not capture and feed your tarantulas from the wild due to the possibility of pesticides and other contaminants. One or two crickets per feeding is usually good, depending on the size of the tarantula. There should always be water available for the tarantula to drink, and it should be offered in a dish that is large enough for the tarantula to fit into its body, but not too deep so it doesn’t accidentally drain out.
You should try to keep the tarantula’s enclosure clean. The insects you feed your spider can make a bit of a mess when the spider is done consuming them, so clean up any leftovers. Spider droppings can be easily wiped off with a tissue or paper towel. With regular light cleaning, the cage material and the cage itself do not need to be cleaned more than once or twice a year.
For humidity, desert species can be lightly sprayed once a week, and rainforest dwellers up to once a day. Desert tarantulas prefer a humidity range of 30% to 50%. Tropical species require higher humidity from 75% to 100%. Most tarantulas can be comfortably kept in a temperature range of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and this means little to no additional heating is required to keep these animals. Having a humidity gauge and thermometer is a good idea just to make sure your spider’s conditions are correct. Keep the cage or tank out of direct sunlight. Glass containers, especially, can get very hot, which can kill the tarantula. Also, additional lighting is not necessary and can be harmful.
For maximum enjoyment by you, the pet owner, and your pet, you can decorate your tarantula’s habitat a bit. It is not difficult to design a simple enclosure, but it is aesthetically pleasing and naturally beautiful. Simple experimentation will reveal what works for you and your pet. In fact, decorating and designing your pet’s habitat can be one of the most fun and creative experiences to own a tarantula! It’s a good idea to research the origins, behaviors, and needs of the species you’re interested in before you buy it or begin to fill and decorate a habitat.
As mentioned, some species come from harsh deserts, and these tarantulas tend to burrow into the ground. Others live high in the treetops of the tropical rain forests of Asia and South America. Obviously, keeping a tropical tree spider in a dry place with no vertical height to climb would result in a stressed and short-lived animal. Tree-dwelling tropical species can be kept in higher enclosures with slightly less floor space than recommended above. Similarly, the deeper enclosures can be used to excavate desert species. If they spend any time in your home, most tarantulas will begin to create their own hiding places, some even moving around the furniture in their cages. This is good, let them do it. Your tarantula knows better than you what it likes.
You should be aware of some minimum requirements common to all tarantula habitats. There should be a simple hiding structure or shelter, such as a half-log or coconut hut, or perhaps a few pieces of stone or driftwood. However you choose to do it, remember the basic idea of making your tarantula feel safe at home. Don’t go overboard on the decorations, you should probably leave about 1/3 to 1/2 of the habitat floor bare and open for your tarantula to explore. Some substrate (cage bedding) will be needed, the best being pure orchid bark, coconut shell peat bedding, pure vermiculite or relatively clean potting soil, or even a mixture of these.
The hardest thing for most people is getting close enough to a tarantula for the first time to see them for what they really are. They are not scary beasts that want to bite you, but incredibly agile and interesting creatures. Tarantulas are delicate animals, and when handling them, be very careful that they do not fall, as they can be skittish and a short fall can seriously injure or even kill them.
It’s true that tarantulas aren’t the best choice of pet to handle a lot, but this is largely due to stress and danger to the spider rather than danger to the handler. For the tarantula owner, the chances of being bitten by a tarantula are extremely rare and even if a bite does happen inadvertently, the venom when injected into a person usually only causes mild swelling, with some numbness and itching to accompany it. disappears in a short time. . If it happens, clean the bite site with soap and water and protect it from infection.
Although not the cuddly variety, tarantulas are fascinating creatures that make wonderful and gentle pets. The key to successfully owning any exotic animal is knowing as much as you can about the species itself and caring for it.