Care of Pet Spiders

Spiders are fascinating pets. These interesting creatures typically spin a web, which is used to capture prey. Larger spider species, such as the wolf spider and tarantula, can be handled with caution, but the tiny species are best not touched. Spiders caught in your garden will be happy with a room-temperature environment, but tropical species, such as the tarantula, will require heating and high humidity. Spiders eat insects, some of which, such as mealworms and crickets, can be obtained from a pet dealer, but many types of insects can be captured in the garden.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium with glass top, including air holes covered in gauze
  • Work surface
  • Potting soil
  • Vermiculite and peat mix (optional)
  • Dried leaves
  • Bark
  • Twigs / Branches
  • Assorted stones
  • Heating strip or mat for vivariums
  • Thermometer
  • Wet/dry thermometer
  • Plastic water container
  • Live crickets
  • Live mealworms
  • Day-old or pink mouse (optional)
  • Flies
  • Moths
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a glass aquarium on a work surface in part of the room not exposed to drafts. Use a 12-inch square tank for large spiders, such as tarantulas and 6-inch square aquarium for smaller species, such as grass spiders. Glass jars with holes drilled in their lids can be used for very tiny spiders, or those that you only choose to keep temporarily. Different species of jumping spiders can easily live in jars.

    • 2

      Add potting soil or a mixture of vermiculite and peat mix to the bottom of the aquarium. Create a substrate depth of up to 6-inches. Certain spider species, such as tarantulas, will burrow if given the opportunity. Spread dead leaves and thin pieces of bark on the substrate.

    • 3

      Place twigs or small branches in the aquarium. Add one or two stones.

    • 4

      Place a vivarium heating mat under one third of the aquarium for tropical species.

    • 5

      Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature, which should be between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit if you are keeping a tropical spider species such as a bird eater or tarantula.

    • 6

      Use a wet/dry thermometer to determine the humidity in the aquarium of tropical spider species. Add a second water container to raise the humidity to between 60 and 70 percent, if necessary.

    • 7

      Place a live insect into the spider's aquarium every two days. Offer crickets or mealworms to larger spiders. Wait until the spider eats the insect before offering another. Offer a pinkie or day-old mouse twice a month to large spiders such as wolf spiders and tarantulas. Smaller spider species will eat flies and moths.