Tarantulas As Pets
When most people heard the word spider, they freak out! Let alone the word, Tarantula. This Arachnophobia, is a natural phenomenon that occurs in most of us. From a young age, most of us are taught to fear these creatures because of how intimidating and scary they can look (for good reason too). However, this is only caused by the limited knowledge that we have of these tarantulas. Although there is a huge database of information out there for these crawlys, very few bother with it because of this inherent fear. There are in fact over 900 species of Theraphosidae, which is simply a category of spiders that tarantulas fall into. In this section, I will either convince the burning conviction in you that tarantulas make a wonderful pet, or they are simply too much for what you intended to chew.
What Makes These Tarantulas So Great
Tarantulas in general are really hardy species and thus hard to mess up. These exotic pets have gotten more and more popular over the past years and have seen a significant growth in demand for it. Virtually noiseless creatures who do not require much space at all and inexpensive to feed. Most have a really docile demeanor, which makes handling one easy when necessary, however it is not recommended as it creates unnecessary stress on your pet tarantula. If you are looking to stand out from the rest, a pet tarantula would definitely fit the bill.
Things that Might be Deal Breakers
1.) Live Prey is required
Does watching a prey being devoured alive bother you? For some pet owners, this might not be a concern, but for others, it’s not a pleasant thought. Tarantulas have to eat live prey (in very rare cases they feed on carcass, for instance when they are young), which you also will need to provide. You’ll need a reliable supplier of crickets or other live prey which I provide in the [Tarantula food section] to make feeding easier. It’s generally not a good idea to feed wild caught crickets, as like the name suggests these are wild, and things like pathogens can easily be found on these critters that may harm your pet tarantula.
2.) Cuddling is a No No
Do you think touch and cuddle when you think of the word pet ? If you caught yourself in a definite yes to this question, you might do better with something else. Though common pet tarantula species are docile, they can easily spook if you are trying to handle them, and squirm from your hand. Falls are nearly always fatal for tarantulas, as their abdomens rupture easily. When tarantulas feel threatened, they kicks hairs by using its back pair of legs to repeatedly rub the abdomen and shake loose hairs. It will then flings these hairs in the direction of its attacker. This defense is enough to discourage most attackers. In humans these hairs can cause a painful, but temporary rash. In addition, tarantulas can and will bite you if they feel threatened. Although they are poisonous, the poison is meant for killing preys much smaller than them.
3.) Cool Tricks and Free Roam
Do you want an active pet, one that does cool tricks and can be let loose in your home? Except when capturing and eating live prey, tarantulas spend a great deal of time doing absolutely nothing, I mean literally nothing. Though it appears sluggish in its terrarium, once your pet tarantula escapes it runs with lightning quickness to find a hiding place. Thus, it is always recommended to clean the cage in a confined area, so the resident spider can’t make a speedy retreat to some dark corner of the house. So unless you are certain you don’t mind observing a tarantula and barely interacting with it, a tarantula isn’t for you.
Still want Tarantulas as pets
Bear in mind these seven commandments that are vital to the best care possible that you will be able to provide your newly found best friend. You will thank me later.
- Female Tarantulas live longer, a lot longer
- Do not handle your Tarantula unless it is absolutely necessary
- Do not touch any sensitive areas (eyes, nose) after physical contact with Tarantula
- A fall can be absolutely fatal for a Tarantula
- Food needs to be removed every 24 hours in contact with Tarantula
- A water dish is very important
- Bites are not fatal but can cause allergic reactions
- Always rinse your hands after contact with a Tarantula
Recommended Tarantulas for Beginners
Here are some of the most recommended species for a beginner hobbyist that is looking to get involved in this exotic pet trade. The follow species are recommended because of their amazing temperament and docile behaviors. Although, they all do “urticate hairs”, they are not quick to do so and would much rather flee than fight.
In the end, tarantulas do make great pets, however, because owning a tarantula is not so mainstream, the proper care and maintenance for these spiders are often hard to find. For those who do their due diligence and do sufficient research on a specific tarantula they are interested in, they are often rewarded with a healthy and fascinating pet.
If you a determined that you still want a creepy crawly spider as a pet, and that no one can tell you otherwise, then you’re in luck! At www.tarantulapets.com we will become your best friend for the years to come for you and your Tarantula. Get all the information you need to care for your new best friend all here today! For those who decided that a Tarantula was not suitable for you after all, don’t fret, check out this beautiful 
