Tarantula

Overview

Tarantulas (family Theraphosidae) are the largest spiders in the world ³. They are solitary, mostly nocturnal, and kept mainly as display pets ¹. Many common species are hardy and slow-moving, which makes them good for beginners who follow basic husbandry ¹. University of Illinois zoo-medicine specialist Dr. Krista Keller names the Chilean rose and the Mexican red-kneed tarantula as the most common pet species and calls them "pretty easy keepers" ².

This is a group guide. Care varies by species, so check what your tarantula needs, especially whether it lives on the ground, burrows or climbs ¹.

• Size. Typically a 4- to 7-inch leg span ¹.
• Lifespan. Females live 12 to 30-plus years and males 3 to 8 years, depending on species ¹. Females of some species may live past 30, a long commitment ².

Natural history

Tarantulas live in warm areas on every continent except Antarctica, but most are found in South America ³. Their habitats include rainforest, desert and scrubland ³:

• Burrowers dig deep, silk-lined burrows.
• Ground dwellers shelter under rocks, logs or bark.
• Tree dwellers live in webbed retreats in trees.

They use silk to build a home, a molting mat or to handle food, not to snare prey ³. They are nocturnal ambush hunters of insects, other spiders and small vertebrates ³.

New World vs. Old World. Many tarantulas, including New World genera such as Brachypelma and Grammostola, flick barbed urticating hairs from the abdomen when disturbed ¹³. Asian and African (Old World) species lack these hairs ³. They rely on speed and defense instead and have more medically significant venom ¹.

Enclosure

• Match the species ¹:
  • Terrestrial. Floor space about 3 to 4 times the leg span, with low height to prevent falls. Interior height should be no more than 1.5 times the leg span.
  • Arboreal. A taller enclosure with vertical cork bark or tubes.
  • Burrowers. Deep, compactable substrate, 4 to 8 inches or more.
• Secure lid. Many tarantulas climb glass, so use a tight-fitting, locking, well-ventilated lid ¹².
• Hide. Provide at least one snug hide, such as cork bark, a half log or a flower pot on its side ¹².
• Placement. Choose a quiet, dim spot away from commotion and bright light ².
• Décor. Arrange any rocks so they can't fall on the spider and the spider can't fall from them ².
• One per enclosure. Tarantulas are solitary and may eat each other ¹³.

Temperature & lighting

Tree of Life gives an ambient range of 70–78°F, and most species do well at normal room temperatures in that range ¹. Dr. Keller says most tarantulas enjoy 70–85°F ². Keep a thermometer in the tank ².

• Heating. If extra heat is needed, warm the room or use a side-mounted heat source on a thermostat ¹. Don't use heat lamps or under-tank heat for terrestrial species ¹. Heat sources should not give off light, because tarantulas avoid it ².
• Lighting. No UVB is needed. Normal room light is enough ¹.

Humidity

• Arid and grassland species such as Grammostola and Brachypelma: mostly dry substrate, good ventilation and a water dish, at about 50–60% relative humidity ¹.
• Tropical species: slightly moist lower substrate with excellent cross-ventilation, at about 65–80% humidity depending on species ¹.

Always provide a shallow water dish ¹. Deep dishes can drown a tarantula, so keep it low and refill it daily ².

Substrate

Use coconut fiber (coir), unfertilized topsoil, peat or mixes, free of pesticides and fertilizers ¹². Spot-clean routinely and change the substrate fully every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if it is soiled or moldy ¹.

Diet & supplementation

• Prey. Feed captive-bred insects such as crickets, dubia roaches and locusts, with occasional mealworms or superworms ¹. Avoid wild-caught insects ¹. Gut-load feeders before offering them ².
• Size. Prey should be no larger than the tarantula's abdomen ¹.
• Schedule. Feed spiderlings and juveniles about three times a week. Feed subadults and adults every 7 to 14 days ¹.
• Remove leftovers. Don't leave several crickets loose all week, because hungry prey can bite and injure a tarantula ². Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours, and immediately if a molt is coming ¹.
• No supplements needed. No vitamin or mineral dusting is recommended in our sources. Focus on healthy, gut-loaded prey ¹².

Handling & temperament

Minimal to no handling is best ¹. Falls can injure tarantulas, and stress can make them ill ¹. To move one, use the catch-cup method: gently guide it into a deli cup with a soft brush, then cover the cup ¹.

• Urticating hairs can irritate skin and eyes. Use gloves and keep your face away. Seek medical care if hairs get in your eyes ¹.
• Bites are rare with proper care ¹. Most tarantula venom is about as potent as a bee sting ³. Clean minor wounds and seek medical care for severe reactions ¹.
• Old World species, such as Poecilotheria, are fast and defensive, with more medically significant venom. Don't handle them ¹.

Health

Molting. Before a molt, a tarantula may stop eating, darken (especially on the abdomen), slow down and spin a molt mat ¹. This fast is normal ². During the molt it lies on its back and should not be moved. That isn't death ². Don't feed or disturb it ¹. After the molt, wait until the fangs harden before feeding: typically 7 to 14 days for adults and 3 to 7 days for juveniles ¹.

Common issues

• Dehydration. Signs are a sunken abdomen, lethargy and a "death curl" ¹.
• Molting problems ¹².
• Oral nematodes. Signs are white material around the mouthparts and decreased appetite. Captive-hatched tarantulas are less likely to have them, and a vet can remove them under anesthesia ².
• Injuries with hemolymph (blood) loss. Significant bleeding is an emergency ¹.
• Mold or mites, usually from husbandry problems ¹.
• Tremors or uncoordinated movement, which needs a vet assessment ¹.

When to see a vet

See an exotics vet for any of these ¹:

• a juvenile that has fasted more than 6–8 weeks
• weight loss or lethargy
• bleeding
• a stuck molt
• foul odor or feeding difficulty
• tremors

Bring the spider in a secure, ventilated container with its hide, plus its most recent shed if you have one ¹.

Breeding overview

Once mature, a male leaves his burrow to find a female by scent, and the pair performs a courtship dance ³. Males of many species have leg spurs to hold back the female's fangs during mating ³. Males usually die within months of mating, while females can produce eggs for decades ³. The female guards her eggs in a silk cocoon ³. Tarantulas may eat each other ¹, so pairing is risky and best left to experienced keepers.

Legal & ethics

• CITES. Many tarantulas have been over-collected for the pet trade and are protected under CITES ³.
  • The Mexican red-knee, Brachypelma hamorii, is listed on CITES Appendix II ⁴.
  • Poecilotheria species such as P. regalis are also listed on Appendix II ⁵.
• Choose captive-bred. Captive-hatched spiders are less likely to carry oral nematodes ². Buying them also avoids feeding illegal collection. The San Diego Zoo cares for tarantulas confiscated from a smuggling case ³.

Sources

1. Tarantula Care · Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
2. Care and Keeping of Tarantulas · University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
3. Tarantula · San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
4. CITES listing: Brachypelma hamorii · Species+ (UNEP-WCMC and CITES Secretariat)
5. CITES listing: Poecilotheria regalis · Species+ (UNEP-WCMC and CITES Secretariat)

Last reviewed 2026-10-24 by Novel Fauna. This guide is general husbandry information, not veterinary advice. When an animal is sick, see a veterinarian experienced with exotic animals.

Revision history

1. 2026-10-24 Library complete: 20 more cited guides (70 total), Invertebrates group, care targets migration 0020, source title fixes 5cf06a2

Evidence grades: Novel Fauna editorial: source classification, not yet expert-reviewed, 2026-10-25. What the grades mean.

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