How to Raise Spiderlings

Spiders, particularly tarantulas, are becoming a popular pet. If you can get by their somewhat frightening appearance, spiders actually make good pets. To be a successful owner, you will need to learn how to raise spiderlings. It is recommended to start with young spiders rather than adult ones. Raising spiderlings is the first step to take when owning a spider. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Place the spiderling immediately into a suitable habitat. This would be a plastic container with a secure lid, filled with moist soil, a plastic twig or branch and a watering dish. Moist soil will keep the environment humid, which is what tarantulas prefer.

2. Have water available to the spiderling at all times. Make sure the water dish is shallow enough that the spiderling cannot become trapped inside it, but deep enough to hold a sufficient amount of water. As an alternative to a dish, water can be sprayed on the interior sides of the tank.

3. Feed the spiderlings crickets 2 to 4 times per week. Start with tiny crickets (smaller than the spiderling) and work up to larger ones as the spiderling grows. Spiderlings can also be fed mealworms or grasshoppers.

4. Keep the temperature of the habitat between 75 and 85 degrees and the humidity between 50 and 80 percent. An under tank heating pad placed under half of the tank will work best.

5. Separate individual spiderlings as most tarantulas do not live well in a colonized setting. If spiderlings are kept in the same tank, make sure it is large enough to accomodate them and provides enough hiding spaces for each spiderling.

Tips & Warnings

• Spiderlings molt more often than adult tarantulas. Be aware of when spiderlings are molting.
• Remove any uneaten food within 12 to 24 hours.
• Do not use lights to heat the tank as this can dry out the interior of the tank, causing harm to the spiderlings.

[Splimmy]

on 10/9/2008 Please do not follow this guide it is very inaccurate. ALL spiderling should be kept in seperate enclosures unless from the sociable ornamental families. Do not give a water dish to a spider under 2" and at 2" only use a shallow bottle cap. Make sure the soil is only very damp and not too moist otherwise you will get mold etc. DO NOT place a heat hat under the tank, it is best to put this on one side, at the back of the tank so that the spider can self regulate its temperature. It might be best to stick with crickets for spiderlings as they will have a hard time catching grasshoppers and mealworms will tend to bury themselves.

Hope this helps