Caring for a Pet Tarantula

Tarantulas are a popular pet; they are fun to watch, need a minimal amount of care and don’t make any noise. As with any exotic pet, tarantulas require some special care in order to maintain their health and longevity. If you keep your spider happy and healthy, he can live 15 to 20 years depending on the species.

Things You'll Need

• 5 gallon aquarium for ground dwelling tarantulas
• 10 gallon aquarium for climbing tarantulas
• Cage lid
• Vermiculite
• Potting soil
• Small hollow log
• Twigs and small branches
• Store-bought crickets
• Small water dish
• Pebbles (optional)
• Spray bottle
• Heating pad (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix a 50/50 combination of vermiculite and potting soil. Pour this mixture into the aquarium so it covers the floor; 2 inches deep for climbing tarantulas and 4 inches deep for ground dwelling burrowing tarantulas. Change the floor covering every 6 to 9 months to keep the spider’s home clean and mold-free.

2. Wash and dry a small hollow log, broken clay flower pot, piece of PVC pipe or other hollow container and put it in the aquarium. A tarantula likes to hide and will make this his new home.

3. Add twigs or small branches for climbing tarantulas. Do not place the branches too high off of the floor of the aquarium or the spider may fall and injure himself.

4. Pour fresh water into a small water dish and place it in the aquarium. Add a thin layer of pebbles to the dish if the tarantula is small, this will keep him from drowning in the dish. Change the water every day. Spiders drink the water and the water dish helps to maintain a healthy humidity level within the aquarium.

5. Mist the inside of the aquarium, lightly, using the water bottle once a week especially if you live a dry climate or during the hot summer months. Tarantulas need an environment with a stable humidity level. A good way to tell if the humidity level is too low in the spider’s enclosure is if you see him hanging around his water dish more than usual. Do not over-mist or this will cause mold to form and harm the spider.

6. Feed an older tarantula 3 to 5 live crickets once a week; feed younger spiders every other day. Remove any uneaten crickets after 30 to 60 minutes. Some people recommend feeding tarantulas crickets, meal worms and roaches caught outside but most experts warn that outside insects may carry harmful pesticides and diseases which can kill a tarantula.

7. Insert the heating pad under a portion of the aquarium in the winter months to keep your spider warm. The ideal temperature for tarantulas is 75 to 84 degrees F.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find your tarantula lying on his back in the middle of his home, don’t worry. He isn’t dead, he’s molting. Tarantulas regularly go through a molting period which lasts several days. It takes the spider several hours to shed his old skin and about a week to grow and harden his new skin. Never feed the spider during this period because the crickets can jump on him causing injury and even death. Never handle the spider either during this period.

• Handle your tarantula gently. Tarantulas injure easily and should be handled rarely, if at all. Never leave your spider unattended outside of his enclosure as he can move fast and quickly disappear.

• Tarantulas should be kept one to a cage. They are not very social and do not play well with others.