Tanks for Pet Spiders

Due to their small size, maintaining spiders as pets is not difficult, requiring only a habitat for the spider and a steady supply of live insects for food. Choose a tank for your spider that is large enough for it to thrive and secure enough to keep it from escaping.

  1. The Container

    • The container used to hold the spider will depend on the type and size of the spider. Small spiders can be kept in glass jars or other similar small containers as long as tiny air holes are punched in the lid but the holes should be small enough to prevent the spider's escape. However, larger spiders such as tarantulas require more space. A 10-gallon glass tank, such as the type used to hold pet reptiles, can be used as a terrarium for the spider. Make sure that the container has a locking lid because tarantulas are agile and can escape poorly secured enclosures.

    Creating a Habitat

    • The floor of a spider tank should be covered in dirt with some leaves, grass or rocks added. Attempt to simulate the spider's natural habitat as much as possible when setting up a spider tank. Some tarantula species require some sort of substrate as well, such as peat, moss or topsoil. Adding small branches or sticks to the tank will give the spider something to climb around on, and a piece of bark or half of a clay flowerpot can be used to give the spider a dark area to hide in. Add a light, if desired, although it is not crucial unless the spider is tropical and has certain temperature requirements. Special heating pads placed underneath the tank can also help keep the tank at a comfortable temperature for the spider.

    Food and Water

    • The spider tank should have a tiny bowl with a small quantity of water or a damp piece of cotton to allow the spider to drink. Spiders will also drink water droplets from their web, which you can mist with a water bottle. Avoid over-watering because too much humidity in the tank will allow mold to grow, which can kill the spider. Food should be provided periodically; research the species and do not overfeed it. Most spiders eat insects of all sorts, and common feeder insects include flies, maggots, mealworms and crickets. Some larger species of tarantula are able to consume larger prey, such as baby mice or even small pieces of meat.

    Tank Maintenance

    • Spider tanks should be cleaned regularly to prevent the growth of mites, mold or other harmful fungi. If the bottom of the tank is littered with dead insects, it should be cleaned as well for the spider's health. If a tank becomes infested with mites, they can be removed by thoroughly cleaning the tank and its furnishings and replacing the substrate or soil. Another more biological alternative is to purchase predatory mites from an insectaria, as they will hunt the pest mites to extinction before dying off themselves.