Guest Author - Denise Lacazette

Tarantulas are not your typical companion animal. A good first experience with a pet tarantula can, however, lead to a life long love affair with these creepy crawly animals of scary movie fame. The key is doing the research beforehand and being prepared.

Tarantulas are often portrayed as the deadly foe yet their venom is not poisonous to most humans. Like many of the stinging/biting insects and spiders, the venom of the tarantula can cause allergic reactions in some people. They do have nasty long fangs that can penetrate your skin and some types of tarantula have urticating hairs that can be launched at you that will cause skin irritation (and sometimes require surgical removal). The deadly foe is actually rather fragile and can die easily from being dropped, eaten by crickets while molting, or simple dehydration from improper care. It is not recommended to handle Tarantulas by hand at any time for their safety.

Tarantulas tend to be solitary and this is one animal that does not require a lot of space to roam. Too large a space can actually work against your pet as their eyesight is poor and it may be too difficult for them to find and capture their prey for dinner. Spiderlings can actually be kept in film canisters or other such small containers and an adult can be perfectly happy in a 5-10 gallon aquarium depending on the species. Two important factors in keeping tarantulas healthy are temperature and humidity. In general the temperature should average 72-82 degrees. The humidity will vary by species. The enclosure should be escape proof, but ventilated. Tarantulas are nocturnal so bright light and direct sunlight should be avoided. Black light or infrared can be used for viewing.

Tarantulas are available through pet stores and on the internet. The benefit to buying online is a wider variety of species and the possibility of getting a female (versus males typically sold at pet stores) which can live longer. It pays to do the research on the various species prior to buying. The habits of each species vary and you will want to find one that appeals to you as something other than a live decoration (unless of course you just want a live decoration). You may also be able to purchase spiderlings rather than adults although it is advisable to become an experienced Tarantula owner before attempting to raise these tiny delicate creatures.

Types of Tarantulas: arboreal, terrestrial
Beginner species: Costa Rican Zebra, Pinktoe, Red Knee, Rose Hair

Housing & handling requirements: ventilated secure-lid cage, moist substrate (peat moss, sphagnum moss), shallow water dish (with sponge or stone to facilitate water escape for crickets or spider), hiding areas (bark & twig preferred by arboreals), transfer container (for cage cleaning or moving), forceps (for molt removal, spider transfer – alternate is fine net), heater, spray bottle, and black light.

Feeding: All live food should be smaller than the spider and should be removed/not given during molt! Live food can include crickets, roaches, (thawed) pinkie mice, flies, mealworms, and superworms (large mealworms).

While they may be the stuff of nightmares to some, Tarantulas can be fascinating pets for others. Do the research and make sure this is the pet for you before purchasing. If you do find you cannot keep a Tarantula after acquiring one, please do not release it into the wild. Most areas are not natural, native habitats and they do not have a chance of survival if released.