The Original Habitat and Its Effects on Pet Tarantulas

The tarantula is a large spider of the Arachnid family. It's a carnivorous predator, feeding on insects, spiders, small reptiles and amphibians. The way a pet tarantula looks and behaves is the effect of its original habitat. Understanding more about where tarantulas come from will make you a better tarantula owner.

  1. Geographic Location

    • The tarantula lives in subtropical and tropical areas of the world. This includes South America, southern North America, Africa, southern Europe, Australia and southern Asia. For this reason, pet tarantulas should be kept in a tank with a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees. The humidity should be no less than 50 percent; lower humidity levels could cause the spider to die when it molts.

    Habitat Conditions

    • In the wild the tarantula likes dry, well-drained soil in open areas. Its habitat is usually grassland and desert areas. Most are ground-dwelling animals that burrow into the earth. Other species prefer to inhabit caves, cliffs, trees and crops. A pet tarantula's tank should be covered with a 1-inch layer of vermiculite and a thin layer of bark chips. This will help recreate a natural ground for your pet to walk on.

    Physical Effects

    • The tarantula has some physical adaptations that are an effect of its original habitat. It has urticating hairs on its abdomen that irritate the nose and eyes of an attacker; this is one reason the tarantula has few natural enemies. Take care when handling a tarantula so the hairs don't irritate you. Another physical adaptation is its feeding habits. The animal has no teeth. In order to eat, it injects venom into its prey that dissolves the flesh. Pet tarantulas should be fed live food so they can maintain their natural feeding habits.

    Behavioral Effects

    • A behavioral effect of its habitat is that a tarantula is a nocturnal hunter, probably to avoid daytime predators. A tarantula will bite if it feels threatened and can show other defensive behavior, such as baring its fangs or hissing. Avoid making it feel threatened. Another behavior the animal has is the ability to go without food for a month. If it has eaten a large enough meal and there is limited food in its habitat, it can go for many weeks without eating. Likewise, a pet tarantula can survive for weeks without food, but it must have water.