How to Raise a Tarantula

Raising a tarantula for a pet is something that the average person never considers. They are wonderful pets if you are not expecting a highly social interaction and enjoy pets that care for themselves overall. While tarantulas are not very difficult to raise, they do require some special considerations. With some patience, they can give their owners a wonderful pet experience. Finding a reputable pet shop to purchase your tarantula is the key, as well as learning about your tarantula's specific breed.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic or glass enclosure
  • Bottle cap
  • Topsoil
  • Decorations
  • Crickets
  • Water dish
Show More

Instructions

    • 1
      Some tarantulas require special treatment.

      Identify the breed of tarantula that you will be raising. Not all tarantulas are raised the same; some require special considerations. For example, a burrowing tarantula needs a deeper substrate.

    • 2
      Giving the tarantula a place to hide is vital.

      Give your tarantula a safe and appropriate home. Use a container that is small enough to mimic the spider's natural home. If it is too large the spider will not be able to catch its prey. Use chemical-free substrate, such as regular topsoil. The substrate should be deep enough that the spider will not be harmed if it falls from the top of the enclosure. Add fake plants or wood pieces if you wish, but be sure that they also are chemical free.

    • 3
      Feeding your tarantula an apple will not work.

      Allow small tarantulas only about a soda cap full of water to drink from and not even that much for spiders smaller than a 50-cent piece. As they get older, you can give a tarantula a shallow dish of water. Use tap water and nothing else. Feed your tarantula once every two or three days. A diet of crickets is ideal, and should be based upon the size of your spider. Give baby tarantulas pin-head crickets and larger crickets to adults. Always remove unwanted food within 24 hours to prevent mold or bacteria growth.

    • 4
      While the bite of the tarantula is usually benign, the hair on its abdomen is not.

      Consider that the dangers of keeping tarantulas usually apply to the spider more than the keeper. Tarantulas do have venom and their bites can be mildly painful, but are not likely to cause lasting problems. Some people with allergic reactions can have problems if bitten, but the average person will not. The biggest danger for humans is the urticating hairs that some tarantulas use when alarmed. These hairs are found on the abdomens of the spiders and are flicked at the sources of concern by the spiders. These hairs are particularly dangerous if they go into the keeper's eyes.

    • 5
      Tarantulas should be handled carefully and only by those that know what they are doing.

      Follow this simple rule of thumb if you are a beginner: Handling your tarantula is a bad idea. Even a 1-foot fall from your hand could kill the spider. The tarantula can deliver a nasty bite. Tarantulas are wild animals and should be left alone except by professionals.