Find out if a tarantula will be a good pet for you
Over the years, the tarantula has become a very popular pet. These chandeliers are unique, peaceful, and require little space, so it’s no surprise that they can be an interesting addition to any home. The truth is that tarantulas are generally considered low-maintenance exotic animals and can be easily trained to become lovable pets. If you are thinking of getting one for your home, you should consider the following pros and cons before deciding on a tarantula as a pet.
Tarantulas belong to the spider family and are similar to others in that they have eight legs and eight eyes close together. In addition to this, there are some distinctive and interesting features that set them apart from other spiders. Generally, they have extremely hairy legs and bodies. They are known to live up to 30 years. Although they do not spin webs, you will find that they capture prey by chasing and killing it.
There are over 800 species of these spiders and they are indigenous to various climates and areas in the wild. They are generally divided into two categories, namely the new world originating from the western hemisphere and the old world originating from the far eastern hemisphere. They are further separated into tropical or desert species and live in trees or on the ground. The Chilean rose hair tarantula is the one you are most likely to find in a pet store. In general, they are probably the most desirable as a house pet, as they are friendly and don’t mind being handled.
As mentioned above, these pets will probably be the lowest maintenance animals you have ever come across. They can easily survive in a five to ten gallon aquarium or terrarium tank, but you want to make sure you keep it covered at all times. Basically, when you set up this house, you only need to take care of other essentials once or twice a week, like feeding and spraying the tank with room temperature bottled water to maintain proper humidity.
When it’s time for food, you can feed them live crickets or other insects that you can buy at the pet store. Keep in mind that you should not catch or feed your tarantula pet insects directly from the wild to avoid the risk of endangering them with pesticides and other toxins. Giving your pet one or two crickets at mealtime will be fine, but keep in mind that the amount you give will depend on the size of your tarantula. Make sure you have water available to drink at all times.
Be sure to maintain a clean, enclosed environment for your tarantula pet. You can use a paper towel or tissue to easily wipe off the droppings. Just basic light cleaning on a regular basis will suffice for cleanliness and to keep his cage and other components completely clean.
If there is any downside to keeping a tarantula as a pet, it would be the fact that it is a very large spider. They are known to bite, but they are not lethal. You will probably have the same reaction as being stung by a bee. To anyone who wants them as a pet, they are beautiful, but to many others, they are scary. The feeding habits of tarantulas can be a bit off for many pet owners, as they eat live crickets, although tarantula lovers will be fascinating to watch.
Although tarantulas are not the affectionate type, they will be intriguing creatures and make wonderful, peaceful pets. They are quiet and don’t seem to mind being left alone. They seem to enjoy interacting with humans. Ultimately, the key to efficiently owning one of these exotic animals is understanding everything there is to know about caring for them.