Having Tarantulas as pets can be an intriguing pastime. They are entertaining to watch, take up less space, and are comparatively simple to manage. Tarantulas are subjected to long life expectancies. A healthy Tarantula can live in confinement for well more than 20 years. Having a tarantula as a pet is a serious responsibility.
Keeping a Tarantula spider as a pet can be compared to acquiring a collection. They are meant to be maintained rather than handled. But nevertheless, if you are profound about wanting to adopt it, make your decision only after you have considered the benefits and drawbacks of having one.
TARANTULA - INSTINCTS AND BEHAVIOR PATTERNS
Tarantulas are usually submissive, which is why some people let their spiders walk on them. Tarantulas, but at the other hand, will bite if they feel unsafe, and their bites are poisonous. Just a few species that aren’t normally kept as pets have poison that can cause health problems or kill them.
Another issue to be concerned about when managing tarantulas is a skin irritation caused by tiny barbed hairs on their abdomens. Spiders frequently discharge these hairs when threatened, which can navigate their way into your skin and cause itchiness. Furthermore, if the hairs get into your eyes, they can cause severe irritation.
While their coping strategies aggravate their general ease of care, tarantulas are still relatively simple to keep. They’re also a great option for people looking for a peaceful animal that doesn’t necessitate a lot of attention. Feeding and cleaning will take a few hours each week. Then you can simply enjoy perceiving this one-of-a-kind creature.
FEEDING TARANTULAS
Tarantulas are carnivores that feed on live insects. Before purchasing a tarantula, you should conduct extensive research on the subject so that you know where to buy them. They can be fed a diet of mealworms, roaches, crickets, and other insects. Adults should be fed once per week, while youths should eat every day or two. Easily drop the prey in the cage near where your spider is. Mealtimes are most effective in the evening when the spider is most active. Seek advice from your veterinarian for the best amount and variety of food to feed your spider, as this will vary depending on its age, size, and species.
SHELTERING TARANTULAS
The first thing you’ll need is an appropriate cage for your spider. Nowadays, most exotic pet stores sell specialized spider tanks. Spiders are not social creatures and therefore should be kept in cages one at a time. They require a secure lid to their cage because they can escape, but the lid must also be ventilated.
Tarantulas do not require bright lighting and must be kept away from direct sunlight. They also don’t need heat lamps because most species can survive at room temperature. Some species actually require humidity levels, which can be obtained by spritzing the cage on a daily basis.
Every 4 to 6 months, thorough cleaning of the cage, along with a change of the vermiculite bedding, is advised.
MANAGING TARANTULAS
The most dangerous danger to pet tarantulas is being fallen or falling from a high place. A severe injury, such as a ruptured abdomen, can result from a fall. As a result, make sure the enclosure is secure, and exercise caution when handling your spider. When you do decide to manage your tarantula, try to do so while carrying it over a soft surface, such as a mattress so that if it falls, it will not injure itself. The procedure for handling a tarantula is simple and clear. The simplest method is to insert your flat hand into the cage near your spider and delicately lure it onto your hand using a pen as a guide. When you arrive, slowly raise the spider up and prepare to switch hands as the spider walks. You don’t need the excess money to feed them, you don’t need extra money to take them to the vet, and they require very little space and attention from you.
OVERALL THOUGHTS ON TARANTULAS AS PETS
Managing to keep a tarantula, like any other pet, comes with responsibilities. Their care requirements are relatively low, making them a low-effort pet. You, like many others, may find yourself becoming quite a collector over time. Tarantulas can make great pets for those who want to keep them. They are unlike any other common pet species. They have intimidating appearances, but with adequate care, they can be totally harmless.
Amateurs only need to take into account if they’d like a new world tarantula or an old-world tarantula. New World Tarantulas are ideal for beginners because they are more docile and easy to handle. Furthermore, new world tarantulas are absolutely harmless to humans and do not cause allergies, making them excellent pets.
Old-world species are the ones to look for if you want to own a more confrontational tarantula. Because they are instinctively dangerous and hostile, a little experience may be required to properly care for them.