Facts About Owning a Tarantula

There are more than 800 species of tarantula and you can find them on every continent, except Antarctica. The greatest numbers and types of tarantula are in South America. These include species that borrow under the ground and line the subsequent tunnels with silk and those that prefer to live in trees and build silk webs amongst the branches.

  1. Tarantulas as Pets

    • For some people, the prospect of owning a spider is exotic and exciting. They carry a certain attraction which comes from fears and fascinations developed from childhood. A common conversation between children is whether they are afraid of spiders or not. The ownership of tarantulas has become increasingly popular. There are certain things that you should know about having a tarantula as a pet. One is that if you do handle it, be careful. This is not because you are in any danger, but you may injure the tarantula.

    Looking After a Tarantula

    • One great benefit that you may enjoy about a tarantula is that they make no noise. Many species are also docile, so you don't have to worry about them too much. Tarantulas also require very little space and can live in glass houses, so that you can easily observe them. They require little care and are easy to feed.

    Where Your Tarantula Should Live

    • The first thing to remember about your tarantula if that he is cannibalistic. So don't put two or more together. The best place to keep them is in a fish tank or something similar. They like to escape, so make sure that it is secure. You must keep the tank in a warm area and supplement the existing warmth with a heating pad. The recommended temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Tarantulas do not like bright lights, so normal room lighting is sufficient.

    Feeding Your Tarantula

    • One concern that you will have is what to feed your tarantula. Tarantule can live entirely on insects. Crickets are a common insect for them to eat and one or two will be enough for a week for most tarantulas. Crickets as food are available in many pet stores. Another bonus is that tarantulas do not overeat. They go through periods of eating and not eating. This depends on what their bodies require, rather than an instinctive desire to just consume.

    Water Requirements

    • So that your tarantula can easily access water, you should provide a shallow dish. This is important to make sure that your pet stays healthy. The recommended guidelines are that the dish should be no more than half an inch deep and the water should be replaced each day. Despite this, don't worry if your tarantula does not drink much. If it is receiving enough moisture from its food, it won't drink much.