{"id":448,"date":"2022-05-28T01:28:01","date_gmt":"2022-05-28T01:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/127.0.0.1\/wordpress\/?p=448"},"modified":"2022-05-28T01:28:01","modified_gmt":"2022-05-28T01:28:01","slug":"how-to-care-for-a-pet-tarantula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/127.0.0.1\/wordpress\/2022\/05\/28\/how-to-care-for-a-pet-tarantula\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Care for a Pet Tarantula"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Characteristics, Housing, Diet, and Other Information<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping tarantulas as pets can be a fascinating hobby. They are interesting to watch, take up relatively little space, and are fairly easy to maintain. However, tarantulas aren’t the best choice if you want a pet you can handle, as they do have venomous bites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are around 1,000\u00a0species of tarantulas<\/a>\u00a0in the\u00a0Theraphosidae\u00a0<\/em>family. One of the more popular species kept as a pet is the\u00a0Chilean rose (Grammostola rosea<\/em>)<\/a>, a hardy spider native to Chile that’s generally easy to care for. As pets, tarantulas need housing that mimics their natural habitat, along with live prey.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

COMMON NAME: <\/strong>Tarantula<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SCIENTIFIC NAME: <\/strong>Theraphosidae<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADULT SIZE:<\/strong> 5 to 8 inches long on average<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LIFESPAN:<\/strong>\u00a05 to 20 years on average (females generally live longer than males)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarantula Behavior and Temperament<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best tarantulas for beginners are typically the ground dwellers, such as the curly hair tarantula<\/a>. They tend to move more slowly, which makes any necessary handling easier. The \u200bpink toe tarantula<\/a> is often cited as a good tree-dwelling tarantula to keep, but it’s not a good first tarantula overall. In general, tree-dwelling species are more challenging to care for because they’re quick and agile, making handling difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, tarantulas are solitary animals. And handling is not recommended except when necessary, such as moving the spider out of its enclosure for cleaning. In that case, it’s best to coax the spider into a small container for transport, rather than moving it in your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas are generally docile, which is why some people do allow their spiders to walk on their bodies. However, tarantulas will bite if they feel threatened, and their bites are venomous. Another concern with handling tarantulas is skin irritation from tiny barbed hairs on their abdomens. If they feel threatened, the spiders can release these hairs, which work their way into your skin and cause itching and irritation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, if the hairs get into your eyes, they can cause serious inflammation. So be careful not to rub your eyes while doing anything with the spider and its enclosure, and wash your hands well afterward. Moreover, do not allow children and other pets to come in contact with the tarantula.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While their defense mechanisms somewhat complicate their overall ease of care, tarantulas are still fairly straightforward to maintain. And they’re a good choice for people who want a quiet animal that doesn’t require much attention. Expect to spend a few hours each week on feedings and cleaning. Then, you simply can enjoy observing this unique animal. A tarantula is generally at its most active when it’s hunting live prey. Otherwise, it typically will spend a lot of time in a seemingly restful state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WARNING<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas have toxic venom that typically causes a local reaction similar to a bee sting. However, some people who are allergic to the venom can have more serious reactions and should seek immediate medical care.2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Size Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas have a leg span between 5 and 8 inches long on average. The females are often larger than the males.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spiders are not social animals and generally should be housed one to a cage. They need a secure lid to their enclosure, as they can be escape artists, but the lid must also have ventilation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ground-dwelling tarantulas, the general rule of thumb is the length of enclosure should be approximately three times the spider’s leg span, and the width of the enclosure should be roughly double its leg span. The height only needs to be approximately the same as the spider’s leg span. A 5-gallon aquarium often works well. And a larger tank isn’t necessarily better, as it can make prey more difficult to find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For tree-dwelling species, also choose an enclosure that’s three times the leg span long and two times the leg span wide. The height should be roughly a foot. Include branches on which the spider can climb and construct its web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your tarantula also needs a place to hide. A piece of cork bark, a half hollow log (often available from pet stores), or half a clay flowerpot on its side are all good options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas don’t need bright lights and should be kept out of direct sunlight.3<\/sup> They also generally don’t need heat lamps, as most species do fine at room temperature. Some species require high humidity levels, which you can achieve by misting the enclosure daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spot clean the enclosure as needed, and remove uneaten food after 24 hours. It’s generally recommended to do a full cleaning of the enclosure, including a change of the bedding, every four to six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific Substrate Needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Line the bottom of the enclosure with a layer of vermiculite, or vermiculite mixed with potting soil and\/or peat, that’s at least two to four inches deep to allow for burrowing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"kids
 Justin Sullivan \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Do Tarantulas Eat & Drink?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Feed your tarantula a diet of crickets supplemented with other insects, including mealworms, super worms, and roaches. Large tarantulas can even be given pinkie mice and small lizards. The crickets should be gut loaded (fed nutritious foods) prior to feeding your tarantula and dusted with a vitamin powder. What goes into the cricket is what you’re ultimately feeding your spider. In general, the size of the food should be smaller than the tarantula’s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults can get feedings roughly once a week while juveniles can eat every day or two. Simply drop in the prey close to where your spider is in the enclosure. Feedings are best done in the evening when the spider is more active. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate quantity and variety to feed your spider, as this can vary based on age, size, and species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small dish of fresh water should be provided at all times. It must be very shallow to prevent drowning. You can place some pebbles in the dish to give the spider something to climb out on as a precaution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"illustration
 The Spruce \/ Theresa Chiechi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Common Health Problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas are generally hardy animals and don’t have many health problems as long as they are kept secure in the proper environment. However, they still might face some issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some tarantulas might acquire oral nematodes, a parasitic infection, though this is not very common for captive tarantulas. Symptoms include decreased appetite and white material around the spider’s mouth.4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, molting<\/a> is how the spider grows to a larger size, by shedding its old exoskeleton and producing a new one. This is a stressful time for a spider, and it will typically lose its appetite prior to a molt.3<\/sup> Don’t feed the spider during the molting process, which can take several days. Live prey can injure the spider while its new exoskeleton is hardening. In addition, the spider should never be handled during the molting process. It can take up to two weeks for the spider to fully recover after molting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not all veterinarians have experience with tarantulas. Make sure there is one nearby who can treat them before even acquiring a pet tarantula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tarantula
 Oxford Scientific \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exercise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with any animal, physical activity is important to keep tarantulas healthy and at a good weight. However, these spiders don’t need very much exercise. As long as they have an enclosure that allows them sufficient space to move and climb, they should get the activity they require.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grooming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Molting is how tarantulas “groom” themselves, and they generally don’t need any assistance from you. Just make sure their enclosure is at the proper humidity for their species, and keep live prey away from them until the molt is complete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upkeep Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On a monthly basis, your main cost for a tarantula will be its diet. This can range from around $5 to $10, and you can even decrease that cost if you raise crickets yourself rather than purchasing them from a pet store. For periodic substrate changes, expect to spend between $10 and $20. And make sure to budget for an annual veterinary wellness checkup, as well as emergency vet care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros & Cons of Keeping a Tarantula as a Pet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tarantulas are interesting and quiet pets that don’t take up a lot of space. They also don’t need a lot of maintenance. But if you want a cuddly and social pet, they wouldn’t be the best choice. Plus, as they’re not very active, they wouldn’t be ideal for someone who likes a lot of excitement from a pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar Exotic Pets to the Tarantula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in pet tarantulas, check out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n