Thinking of getting a pet tarantula!
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on June 5, 2015, 3:07 p.m. by Necrotize
That's right, I'm hoping to get myself one of those fuzzy arachnids that seem to scare so many people. After searching around and buying a book or two, I feel pretty sure I can handle taking care of one(up until now I've only had cats, dogs and snakes), but I wanted to know if anyone here had any thoughts or advice regarding tarantulas as pets.
Still haven't decided what species as multiple places seem to say different things about different species, but its probably between a Grammostola rosea(rose hair tarantula) or a Euathlus sp. red(Dwarf Chile Flame tarantula).
They really are. I think the hair makes them cuter than other types of spiders. Really calm too apparently. Kinda leaning towards the Dwarf because they've been reported to enjoy being held more than Rose Hairs. Plus a few sites claimed rose hairs can have finicky moods and really abnormal feeding patterns, which would probably just make me worry every day T_T
June 5, 2015 3:19 p.m.
I had an Orange Knee tarantula for about 3 years when I was a kid. To be honest, they are not very interesting pets. They mostly sit around during the day, and walk around at night. I had sand in my tank, and I'd have footprints all over the place in the morning.
I did used to watch TV and it would just chill on my leg or shoulder (or wherever I put it). They are kind of prickly when they walk on your skin, doesn't really hurt, just feels funny.
I fed it crickets, which kinda sucked, because those things chirp all night... and then start to stink.
Anyways, they are fairly cheap and low maintenance pets... And kind of cool I guess. My funniest story was when it got out of its cage. About 3 months later, my mother was cleaning the curtains, and I heard the biggest scream she's ever made. Haha. I still remember to this day her screaming, then yelling at me "Brian, come get your stupid spider!" lol.
June 5, 2015 3:22 p.m.
Hmm didn't really put to much thought into a place to keep the crickets or whatever I end up feeding it. Probably would try to find a place for them not in my room at least.
Wonder if certain types are more active, most of the videos I saw of the two species mentioned above showed them walking all over people. Guess it also could just depend on the individual tarantula. But I suppose not moving a lot is preferable to moving too much. Hard to catch something that small without hurting it if its running around.
June 5, 2015 3:34 p.m.
Hjaltrohir says... #6
I detest spiders... The mere thought f keeping one as a pet makes me shiver... Good luck though!
June 5, 2015 3:37 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #8
My brother has two of these dudes. They're pretty small, and have been for quite some time. Weirdest thing he says is when they molt. the crickets aren't too much of an issue for him though. He keeps them in little plastic containers with some dirt. I've no idea what breed they are, but he seems to enjoy them.
June 5, 2015 3:49 p.m.
I have 4: Aviculara avicularia (Pinktoe), Grammostola rosea (Rose Hair), Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black), and an Eupalastrus campestratus (Pink Zebra Beauty).
For your first T, I recommend getting a desert-dweller because you don't have to worry about humidity. Heck, it's recommended to keep a G. rosea in bone-dry conditions! G. rosea are easy to take care of, and don't be alarmed if it doesn't eat for 6 months to a year (or maybe two) as they are notorious for doing so.
Be sure to use a tank/enclosure that's suitable for the size of the T. For example, don't use a 10 gallon tank for a 1" tarantula. Use enough substrate for the T to dig if it wants to (some will, some won't), and the distance from the substrate to the top of the enclosure should be no more than 1.5-2X the length of the T. This is to prevent falls from being fatal.
For substrate, it's typically recommended to use the coconut husk stuff that comes in compacted bricks.
June 5, 2015 3:58 p.m.
This site has good general information for several different types of tarantulas: http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/tarantulas.html .
There is also a "go to" guide for keeping them called The Tarantula Keeper's Guide. It's a bit old, but the information is still pretty accurate.
June 5, 2015 4:01 p.m.
Cool! Thanks for all the helpful info. I was worried about that not eating thing while molting when I saw it. I know the signs for impending molts, but not eating for so long would probably freak me out and I'd try to feed the poor thing every day T_T
Also, @TheAnnihilator. They're not dangerous at all really, especially not the ones commonly kept as pets. All are venomous, but the two mentioned above have bites that supposedly hurt less than a bee sting. There has also never been a reported death of a human caused by a tarantula bite. Some will really mess you up for a while, but none are deadly unless you're allergic. They can also flick their hairs at things like needles but I'm told you can remove them with tape or glue and they don't hurt much.
June 5, 2015 4:18 p.m. Edited.
Tarantulas have bulk on their side that lets them restrain their prey to give the venom time to act, so it's not necessary to be kill-in-two-seconds potent like that of a spider.
The venom of "Old World" (aka Africa and Asia) species is more potent than their "New World" (Americas) counterparts, but still not deadly unless you are highly allergic. New World Ts "throw" hairs off their butt (urticating hairs) to fend off annoyances, whereas Old World Ts lack that ability and instead rely on biting. Thus, Old World Ts are usually more defensive than New World, illustrated by rearing up and bearing their fangs in a threat gesture.
Also, if you don't want to worry about keeping crickets, superworms (a.k.a. giant mealworms) are really easy to keep and raise.
June 5, 2015 4:31 p.m.
Ahh cool. Mealworms do seem like they'd be a better option. Only issue I'd foresee is some people mentioned smaller tarantulas being just too small to eat them, some even looked afraid of them. Would you recommend getting an already fully grown tarantula or do good breeders typically only offer spiderlings?
June 5, 2015 4:34 p.m.
Breeders probably have some of varying sizes. Pet stores usually have bigger ones. You could check out for any reptile conventions near you as those typically have tarantula breeders, too.
If you get a really small one, referred to as a spiderling (or sling, for short), then you would literally only give them the hind leg of an adult cricket. I had to do this for a few of mine, and it actually worked. You can then later upgrade to pinhead crickets, then small, medium, and large.
Mealworms are hard to get small enough for baby Ts, but is doable. I was able to do it. However, they can be somewhat picky with their food. Two tarantulas of the same species might prefer two different insects.
June 5, 2015 4:42 p.m.
Cipher001, you're an asshole. Just thought I'd inform you of that.
June 5, 2015 5:18 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #19
To the OP... I would recommend a Chilean Rose tarantula. I had one as a pet before it died. Pet shop owner told me it would live 2-4 years. It lived for almost 14 years before it died, and it would have lived a lot longer had my cat not decided it was hungry.
June 5, 2015 5:22 p.m.
Aww, that's another thing I'm afraid of since I have 3 cats. Probably have to get a glass aquarium anyway so they can't knock it over. But if I remember correctly, female Rose tarantulas live much longer than males, usually around 15-20 years while males are lucky to get up to 8 I think. Kinda surprising how long they go on for, apparently some other common pet species live upwards of 40 years(if they're female).
June 5, 2015 5:26 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #21
Aww, that tarantula is so cute! I bet he's more a 1/2 like Deadly Recluse than a 2/4 Giant Spider size.
June 5, 2015 5:31 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #22
Yeah mine was a female, which explains why it lived for so long.
June 5, 2015 5:32 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #23
Also make sure you get an aquarium with a latch-top lid, instead of just one with a snug fit lid. Cats will get into the snug fit lid like it's not even there at all.
June 5, 2015 5:33 p.m.
KalvinHobbez says... #25
Had a tarantula craze not too long ago and wanted to get one for myself as well. My family doesn't care for spiders or snakes but I like them both, so can't really get any...but yeah tarantulas are pretty good pets from what I've heard. I'd also take into account possibly the Camel Spider, it's got a funny butt face :3
June 5, 2015 7:37 p.m.
What a coincidence, I was torn between using my money to get a Ball Python or a tarantula, figured the tarantula would be a bit easier to have due to space limitations and obviously price. I can understand the not liking tarantulas(most of my relatives and friends are deathly afraid of spiders), but snakes? Most pet snakes are adorable once they're socialized properly.
June 5, 2015 8:07 p.m.
canterlotguardian says... #27
Yeah but there's still the (stereotypical) creepy crawly aspect that not a lot of people can get over. Plus people hear horror stories about other people buying pythons or boa constrictors as pets and then they end up strangling them in their sleep, so they probably don't want that to happen to them (or you).
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #2
Rose Hair Tarantula
Dwarf Chile Flame Tarantula
They're pretty cute :)
June 5, 2015 3:11 p.m.