Tarantula

Tarantula housing is highly species-dependent. Burrowing species (like Grammostola pulchripes, the Chilean Rose Hair) need enclosures with 3 to 4 times their leg span in floor space and deep substrate (4 to 6 inches of a coconut fiber and peat mix). Arboreal species (like Avicularia avicularia, the Pink-Toe) need tall enclosures (12x12x18 inches minimum) with cross-ventilation, cork bark, and artificial plants for climbing and anchoring their tube web. All enclosures need a secure, locking lid. A small, shallow water dish (bottle cap size for spiderlings, bottlecap to small dish for adults) must always be available. Overflow the dish occasionally for terrestrial species to create a moisture gradient. Temperatures for most pet tarantulas should stay between 68 and 82 degrees F. Most species do not need supplemental heat in a typical home.

Tarantulas eat live prey exclusively. Appropriately sized crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and superworms are standard feeder insects for most species. Prey should be no larger than the tarantula's abdomen. Larger prey items cause unnecessary stress and potential injury.

Feed juveniles every 4 to 7 days, adults every 10 to 14 days. Always remove uneaten prey within 24 hours. Live crickets are particularly dangerous near a molting or freshly molted tarantula - they will attack the vulnerable spider, causing severe injury or death. Pre-kill crickets before offering if unsure about molt timing.

During premolt (recognizable by a darkened, fat abdomen, and refusal of food that can last weeks or even months), do not attempt to feed. After molting, wait 7 to 14 days for the fangs to fully harden before offering food again. A freshly molted tarantula with soft fangs cannot eat safely and can be injured by prey. Provide a water overflow during premolt to ensure adequate hydration for the molt process.

Tarantulas are observation animals, not handling animals. Many species are defensive or fast, and stress from handling can cause them to kick urticating (itching) hairs from their abdomen. The Goliath Bird-Eater can produce a loud hissing sound by rubbing its legs together. Design the enclosure to display natural behaviors: burrowing species will excavate elaborate tunnels, arboreal species will build impressive silk tube webs. This is the enrichment. A cork bark hide or cork tube allows them to feel secure.

Molting is the single most important and vulnerable event in a tarantula's life. Never disturb a molting spider. Do not feed for 1 to 2 weeks before or after a molt. Common health concerns include dehydration (shriveled abdomen, keep water available and overflow occasionally), mites (tiny white dots moving in enclosure, treat with a full substrate change), and DKS (dyskinetic syndrome, a poorly understood neurological issue). Failed molts can be fatal if the spider becomes stuck. Maintaining appropriate humidity for the species during premolt reduces this risk.