So you’ve decided a tarantula is the right pet for you. Your next decision would be choosing the right habitat for the pet. While it’s possible to let a tarantula roam around your house freely, it’s not a very good idea. Not only do you risk the chance of losing the pet, but the chances of it getting hurt are far too high. A terrarium is your best bet for keeping your tarantula safe and healthy.
The ideal habitat for a tarantula is a glass or plastic, smooth cage or tank. It should have a mesh lid to let air in and to keep the spider from getting out. Be sure to check that the lid is secured tightly, as tarantulas can be quite strong.
While a tarantula would be fine in a small tank, a 5-gallon fish tank will give it plenty of room to roam round. While you may think a large tank would be ideal for the tarantula, the animal is quite used to living in burrows or tree hollows. A space that is too large will actually cause stress to the animal. The ideal habitat should be three to four times the size of the tarantula. You should be able to fit three to four of the same size tarantula inside the terrarium. That will provide plenty of room for the spider to explore, yet not too much as to cause stress to the pet.
Line the bottom of the tank with potting soil that can be dampened if needed. Mostly, though, tarantulas prefer a dry habitat, so sand or small gravel can be used, also. Include a few rocks of different sizes. You’ll also need to include a small water dish with a sponge in it. Tarantulas brush their mouths against the sponge to drink.
You need to make sure that all objects in the terrarium are “soft,” with no sharp edges. Tarantulas are great climbers, and if they fall on anything sharp, they can die.
Temperatures should be kept between 70 and 90 degrees. An undertank heater or overhead lamp can be used to moderate the temperature of the terrarium.
To complete your care for tarantulas, you’ll need to be able to provide them with food. Tarantulas are not web-weavers. They don’t produce webs to catch food, so you’re going to have to provide it for them. The diet for the spider should consist mostly of insects, though it will also eat rodents such as mice or even birds or lizards. Food should be offered once per week. It is normal for the spider to eat until it is full, then fast for weeks at a time. You should remove any uneaten food after a few hours.
Tarantulas can be a very rewarding pet and fairly easy to take care of. The first step is choosing the proper home to keep it safe and healthy. By providing a home similar to its natural habitat, you can ensure the happiness of your arachnid friend.
