Tarantula Care Tips

Tarantulas are fascinating creatures and also make wonderful pets. Though they appear dangerous and risky but they are actually not and can be petted easily. Tarantulas are wonderful pets if the person who will be caring for them, knows the basic tarantula care and feeding tips, and uses them in the best way.

If you are rearing a tarantula for the first time, a pet care store or a veterinarian should be consulted. Frequent human touch may end up harming the tarantula, rather than the animal harming you. They are actually friendly and quiet pets. Tarantulas have a long life span and rearing a tarantula is about a lifetime's commitment.

Choosing a Tarantula

Facts about tarantula should be studied before buying one. It needs to be chosen with care as the living habits of a male and female tarantula are different. A male has a life span of 1- 4 years and tends to wander off to find a mate once it becomes sexually active. It will not be right to keep them as they are not bound to stay as good pets.

A female tarantula has a natural life of 25 years which makes it suitable as a long time pet. They are known to love staying at home as a member of the family and can survive comfortably in a cage. So, it is better to have a female tarantula than a male as a pet. Male tarantulas have additional outgrowths on the front part of the body on their legs which comes off at the halfway of the the joint. Any tarantula without these outgrowth is either a female or a young male not yet grown up.

While choosing a tarantulas, avoid the one that is curled up in the corner of the tank. The ones with legs tucked underneath are usually unwell and near death. Always go for one that is relaxed and found sitting with legs out. The healthy tarantulas have a little laid back nature, with an easy look on the surroundings and a careless attitude.

Feeding Habits of Tarantulas

Tarantulas have a feeding habit which is very pocket friendly. They are known to feed on bugs and insects like moths, crickets and cockroaches when they are small. Bigger tarantulas have a very aggressive feeding habit and feed on big rodents such as rats and mice. The good part of having a tarantula as a pet is that there is no rule as to how often they are to be fed. Tarantulas do feed themselves though an extra feeding is beneficial for a quick growth. The water needs of a tarantula is high, so a 'hamster' style water bottle can be setup in the cage.

Some Basic Tarantula Care Tips

• A squatter cage with substrate for digging and a concealed hole is right for a ground spider. An aerial spider needs a taller cage with places and objects to climb and preferably without any holes, as they will spin their own.
• During the molting days, tarantulas go through a delicate time. They are vulnerable until they get their new skin hardened. A cage made of plastic or glass is preferred and there should be no sharp edges in the cage.
• It should have a micro screen at the top and the screen mesh should not be large sized. Tarantulas, with their little claws can get stuck and amputate their legs with a large size mesh.
• Ground spiders would need a few inches of potting soil, top soil or peat moss for a substrate. An aerial spider will do with a safely fastened cork-board, sterile branches or vertical strips of barks for them to climb.
• A tarantula cage should have a temperature which is between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Indirect sunlight is the best but if it is not possible then indirect artificial lighting will be preferred.
• A tarantula care sheet should be maintained to keep a note and must be updated regularly.
• Any cedar or pine products should never be used as a part of the cage as they are poisonous to tarantulas.

Rearing a tarantula will certainly be an innovative and easy activity with keeping in mind the basic tarantula care tips. Since there are people who suffer from spider phobia, it is better to discuss with the family members before buying one as a pet.