Do pet tarantulas need UV lighting as part of their enclosure?
Pet tarantulas are popular for many reasons. Some people like the way they look. Others enjoy the fear factor associated with them. Many simply love that they are low maintenance pets. But a very commonly asked question we get when people are considering getting their own pet tarantula is whether or not it’s necessary to provide them with UV lighting.
In this article, we will explore why it’s not necessary to provide your spider with UV lights. We will also talk about what the reasons are that some owners choose to use lighting set ups for their arachnids anyways.
Your tarantula does not require UV lighting
Truthfully, most species of tarantula are the most active at night. The sun and other bright lights certainly don’t harm them any more than they would any other animal, but in general, wild tarantulas prefer darker environments. This is why when they are kept as pets, it’s not necessary to provide your tarantula with UV lighting.
In fact, tarantula cages should not be kept in direct sunlight. Spiders should also always be provided with a retreat where they can go to hide if they choose.
Why do some tarantula owners use lights?
Because different spiders have slightly different enclosure requirements and do better with different humidities and temperatures, some owners choose to use lights to regulate variables within the enclosure.
Lights do not need to produce UV rays, but some tarantula keepers use lights to help raise the temperature within the enclosure. This is especially useful for people who live in colder climates or like to keep the ambient temperature in their home rather cool.
Lights can also be useful to create a natural night and day Circadian rhythm. For many spiders, this can help feeding responses, molt timings and other natural functions occur on schedule and with no hiccups.
Another reason a tarantula owner might wish to use lights is to regulate humidity. Some spiders are burrowers, some are arboreal and others are desert dwellers. Lighting that creates heat can help moisture evaporate from substrate to create the proper humidity that your spider requires.
Keep in mind that different tarantula species have different environment requirements to stay healthy. Some owners will choose to use lighting to help meet those requirements.
What items should your tarantula enclosure include?
So if my tarantula doesn’t need UV lights to be healthy, what does it need in order to thrive in captivity?
First, when you decide to care for a tarantula, make sure you know whether it is arboreal or terrestrial. Arboreal spiders need cages that have more vertical space, while terrestrial spiders need cages that have more floor space. So your biggest order of business before deciding whether or not to use lights is a proper cage.
Tarantula enclosures also need substrate. What kind you get will be determined by what type of spider you have. Typically, coconut husk and potting soil mixtures work well for most species.
A hide is another essential piece of furniture within your spider’s enclosure. The hiding spot needs to be big enough to conceal the tarantula, but not too heavy that it could injure it. Spiderlings need a hide too, but exercise caution when choosing. It needs to be light weight and practical in addition to functional.
A water dish or water source is something else that you should include, even though most tarantula owners never see their pet getting a drink. Spiderlings shouldn’t have a full water dish for safety reasons, but you can put a moist sponge in a small dish within the cage. Larger spiders are not usually at risk to drown, so a normal lightweight water dish should suffice.
Depending on which spider species you own, you will need to regulate temperature and humidity. This is where research comes into play and whether or not you wish to use lights to obtain the proper specs.
Nighttime lighting for your tarantula
Because most tarantulas are most active at night, you’ll want to keep it pretty dark in order for them to comfortably eat and explore. But you can still watch your tarantula if you use night time lights that are specially created just for this purpose.
Night viewing light bulbs simulate moonlight and allow owners to observe their pets when the lights go out. They are especially useful for night time feedings or if you want to sneakily observe your tarantula during the molting process.
Bulbs such as the one pictured can help keep temperatures up at night and also allow for owners to view their pet during times when they are most active.
Conclusion
In the wild, tarantulas tend to avoid harsh light and are most active at night. This means that when they are kept as pets in captivity, UV lighting that mimics the rays of the sun is not necessary for their wellbeing.
Bear in mind that some tarantula owners do use various forms of lighting to help regulate variables such as temperature and humidity within their spider’s enclosure. There are also night time viewing lights that allow owners to watch their spiders at night while still mimicking normal night/day cycle patterns.
Ultimately, the choice on whether or not to utilize lights for your pet tarantula depends on your unique circumstances.
Are you considering a pet tarantula but you’re not sure if a spider would suit your lifestyle, home and family? We always encourage research to make sure you can physically care for an animal before adopting, but overall, if you are prepared, we feel tarantulas can make excellent pets.
Tarantulas can be great pets if you are familiar with their body language, habits and care requirements.
Are tarantulas good pets for beginners?
Some species of tarantula can make great pets for beginners. There are quite a few species such as Rosehair tarantulas (Grammostola rosea), Mexican Redknee tarantulas (Brachypelma smithi) and Brazilian Black tarantulas (Grammostola pulchra) that are known for their calm demeanors. They are less likely to be aggressive and more inclined to allow themselves to be handled.
As far as actual care requirements go, nearly all tarantulas are very low maintenance. They need very little other than a place to hide, food, water and a basic enclosure to thrive. In other words, you don’t have to do a lot as an owner to make a pet tarantula happy. This means that they can be good for young ones who are just learning about the responsibilities of owning a pet.
Just keep in mind that certain species of spider are not suitable for beginners. These are usually the more aggressive species such as Goliath Bird Eaters, King Baboons and Orange Baboons. Because these species are typically more aggressive, we usually only recommend them as display pets that are not handled. Ultimately, this usually means that they are best kept by more experienced arachnid owners.
Tarantulas are pets that should mostly be kept in their enclosure, however there are some species that enjoy time outside their enclosure to explore.
What should I know before getting a pet tarantula?
As far as exotic pets are concerned, be aware that tarantulas are pretty dull. Unless it’s meal time, they feel threatened, or they are molting, they don’t do a whole lot other than chill out. Some even prefer to remain hidden throughout the day when we are awake, so you might not even see your spider all that often.
We also like to advise people that although tarantulas can be handled and some don’t even seem to mind people at all, they cannot be tamed. They are not a domesticated animal and their behavior cannot be predicted with 100 percent accuracy. They can’t be “trusted” and don’t expect your tarantula to bond with you the way a cat or dog or even an iguana might. They are simply not capable of it.
Another thing to keep in mind when considering whether or not a tarantula is a good pet for you is that they are venomous and can be dangerous. While their venom is really only extremely harmful to small children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, tarantulas can and will bite if they feel the need to do so. Therefore, there is always inherent risk in owning a pet tarantula.
Tarantulas can live quite a long time, depending upon the gender and the age at which you acquire the spider. Certain species can live longer than a dog or cat. Be mindful of this commitment when purchasing a tarantula.
Lastly, if you are squeamish about insects at all or don’t want live insects in your house, a tarantula would not make a good pet for you. Tarantulas eat live insects such as roaches, mealworms, crickets and wax worms. You will need to either keep a supply of your own on hand or purchase live insects frequently from a supplier in order to feed your spider.
Spiderlings are very fast and can be shy and skittish. Exercise extreme caution if you decide to handle yours.
What can I expect from a pet tarantula?
As we’ve already established, tarantulas are mostly display pets. They shouldn’t be held or moved from their cage too frequently as it tends to stress them out and can be potentially dangerous to both owner and spider. So don’t expect a loving bond with your tarantula.
You can expect your spider to be secretive and hide a lot during the day. Most species are most active at night and stay burrowed or in a dark space when they are not hunting.
Mealtime will usually be a fun experience when you own a pet tarantula. It’s fascinating to observe your spider catching and eating insects.
If you obtain your tarantula as a baby or spiderling, you can expect it to grow quickly. Young spiders molt a lot as they grow so you will be able to witness this amazing process. Tarantulas can even regrow lost limbs during molts!
What species of tarantula should I get?
So, you’ve decided that a pet tarantula is a good fit for you and your household. Now comes the tougher part – what species should you select?
Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. We even wrote a separate blog article discussing what we think are the best pet tarantulas.
However, each owner will have different experience levels and traits they are looking for in a pet spider. The list we supplied is by no means all inclusive.
If you’re in the market for something more exotic, browse our selection of tarantulas for sale on our website. You will be able to see tarantulas that come in many sizes and colors and make your own educated decision on the species that would make the best pet for you.
Tarantulas can make great pets if you are prepared to care for an arachnid.
Conclusion
We always encourage potential buyers of exotic pets to do their research prior to getting any kind of animal. Make sure you can properly deal with the animal’s food, housing and human interaction requirements before you commit.
That being said, tarantulas can make excellent pets for the right kind of people. If you’re into creepy, crawly, multi-limbed invertebrates that eat living insects, a tarantula could be a good fit. They don’t actually require much maintenance and they don’t need to be walked, handled or given attention frequently (or at all.)
So, what’s our final verdict on whether or not a tarantula is a good pet? YES! They are certainly great for people who want a pet that requires minimal effort and enjoy watching their pet rather than playing with it. A tarantula won’t play fetch with you, cuddle you on your couch or go on vacation with you, but it can provide satisfaction in its own spidery way.
Although tarantulas are not the most hands-on type of pet, they can be handled and interacted with if you understand the animal and its body language.
While we recommend leaving your pet tarantula to its own devices most of the time, there will be times when you will need to remove your spider from its enclosure. The most common time to take your spider out of its cage is when it requires cleaning.
In this article, we will discuss tips, tricks, and methods for removing your spider from its enclosure as well as handling it in a manner that is the most stress-free for both you and your arachnid.
When picking up a spiderling such as this Antilles Pink Toe, be sure to support the spider entirely and be one step ahead of where it will be crawling. Baby spiders can be not only fast, but skittish, so you’ll want to be very careful.
How To Pick Up Your Pet Tarantula
Why would I need to pick up my pet tarantula?
Although it is true that in general most species of tarantula are best observed and not handled, if you are a tarantula owner, odds are that at some point in your spider’s life, you will have to remove the arachnid from it enclosure.
The most common reason to pick up any pet tarantula is to clean the spider’s cage. However, if you are a diligent spot-cleaner, you can certainly keep full-enclosure cleanings to a minimum. For instance, you should make sure to remove any molt exoskeletons once your spider has fully completed the process. Any uneaten cricket or insect corpses should also be removed in a timely fashion.
Many tarantula owners also have the desire to interact with their spider on a one on one level. Again, this should be done by experienced arachnid owners who know how to read their spider’s body language.
While tarantulas might not appear fragile, they can be rather delicate. Plus they have what are called urticating hairs that can be shed in distress. These hairs not only irritate human skin, but they can leave bald marks on the spider if they become overstressed and shed too many of these hairs.
Large spiders such as the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater can have tricky dispositions, so be extra careful if you choose to handle one.
How do I handle my pet tarantula?
So now that you know that pet spiders can in fact be picked up and held if you choose to do so, what is the proper way to go about doing so? How do you pick up the spider without stressing it or causing it to bite?
First of all, you’ll want to know that there are certain species of tarantula that we simply do not recommend holding with bare hands, regardless of your experience level. You can read more about those particular species later on in this article.
But if you do have a species of tarantula that is suitable for limited human interaction, first and foremost, before you even place your hand anywhere near the spider, you’ll want to know how to read the arachnid’s body language. Most tarantulas have very clear indicators that they are not in a good mood and if you notice any of these behaviors, you’ll want to steer clear of handling the spider until the bad mood has passed.
Here are the most common signs that your spider is simply not interested in interacting with you:
Your tarantula lifts a leg or two from the ground and waves it. While the remainder of your spider’s body will stay grounded and relaxed, one or two of its front legs will raise up and be tense.
Your tarantula is rearing up and displaying its fangs. This behavior is a very clear indicator that your spider is feeling aggressive. Odds are if you attempt to pick up, hold, or otherwise disturb your spider while it is in this posture, it will either attempt to bite you or rub urticating hairs in your direction.
Your spider turns around and faces its abdomen towards you. This stance is usually followed by the tarantula rubbing its legs against its abdomen. If your arachnid does this, it is flicking urticating hairs in your direction and you should steer clear if you don’t want your skin to be irritated, red, and itchy.
Your tarantula is extremely sluggish, slow, and hasn’t eaten in a while. In most cases, this means your spider is preparing to molt. While your tarantula might not be exceptionally grumpy during this time, you’ll certainly want to avoid disturbing it or handling it because it can upset the molting process and be hazardous to your spider’s health and well-being.
If your tarantula is lying on it back upside down. This is a sure sign that the spider is undergoing the molting process and definitely should not be disturbed or moved in any way.
We always recommend using two hands when handling a tarantula as they will likely want to crawl.
If your tarantula is flat with his legs bent and abdomen gently parallel to the ground, it means that it is relaxed and feels safe in its current state. This type of posture means that your spider is in the proper mood to be held.
Once you’ve determined that your spider’s body language indicates you can interact with it, the next step is to make sure you are wearing the proper clothing. You might want to wear pants, long sleeves, and sometimes even gloves depending on the personality of your spider. Less skin that you have exposed means there is less of an opportunity for the tarantula to bite you should it become startled or defensive.
If you want to be hands on with your spider, we do recommend wearing gloves until you are 100 percent at ease with your pet and know how it tends to react and behave in general.
If you can, it’s best to have the spider on a flat surface so that you can gently place one hand in front of it and the other behind it to softly encourage the spider forward onto your hands.
Once you have eased the spider into your hands, make slow movements, speak softly, and avoid poking, prodding, or waving the spider around. Being at ease around your tarantula will in return put the animal itself at ease.
You can also use the “paper sliding under a cup” method of picking up your spider. More on that method later. Helpful hint: this method is best for very aggressive spiders.
If you want an interactive pet spider, we highly recommend doing your research as not all species enjoy human handling.
What tips and tricks do you know for interacting with my tarantula?
A really good piece of advice that is (hopefully) self-evident for most spider owners is to keep your fingers away from the spider’s fangs. Don’t poke it or try to hand feed it. If you want to train your spider to accept food from you on command, always use tongs.
Be calm. When you make slow movements you will keep your spider in a calm mindset and it will feel far less threatened than if you make quick, frantic, or jerky movements.
Avoid touching the tarantula’s abdomen. Spiders that possess urticating hairs have them on their abdomen and if you brush these or rub them too hard, they will be released into your skin, which is not a pleasant experience for the spider or for the owner.
When you handle or interact with your tarantula, make sure that you are well out of the reach of other household pets. Avoid handling your spider around noisy dogs, clingy cats, or even other pet spiders. It’s best for the safety of all parties, human and animal, that are living in the household.
If you have a particularly active spider, hold it over a flat surface so that if it unintentionally walks out of your hand, it will not be injured by a fall from a high place. We also recommend keeping overactive spiders in your hands – don’t let them crawl into your hair, clothing, or appendages.
Which species of tarantula are the most interactive?
While many species of tarantula that are not considered classically docile can be held, it is true that there are certain types that are known for their calm temperaments and ability to interact with their owners.
A few species that are excellent spiders for beginners and for people who want to hold their spider are: Mexican Red Knees (Brachypelma smithi), Brazilian Blacks (Grammostola pulchra), Rose Hairs (Grammostola rosea), Curlyhairs (Brachypelma albopilosum), and Pink Toes (Avicularia avicularia).
Which species of spider should not be handled?
Certain species of tarantula are known for their aggressive natures and propensity to fling urticating hairs and/or bite. These types of spiders should not be held. If you need to remove the spider from its enclosure, we recommend wearing gloves or using the paper sliding underneath a cup method.
Here are a few species of spider sold by Backwater Reptiles that we do not recommend picking up: any species of “Baboon” tarantula (King Baboons, Orange Baboons, Ornamental Baboons, etc), Goliath Bird Eaters, and Trapdoor Spiders. Each of these species would pack quite a painful bite.
What should I do if my spider is aggressive?
If you cannot get your pet spider to voluntarily walk into your hands, then you might want to try using a stiff piece of paper and a cup, bowl, or another similar object to place on top of the spider. Then you can gently scoot the stiff paper underneath the cup and pick up the entire set up and move the spider where you need it to go.
This method is best used for spiders that are not meant to be held or for spiders with tricky dispositions. It’s also great for arachnids that are easily stressed.
If you do accidentally get bitten by your spider, the first thing you should do is not panic. You’ll likely be very distracted and possibly even frightened of your spider if you get bitten, but in order to avoid further injury to either you or your pet spider, you’ll need to gently remove the spider from your person and place it back into its enclosure.
Sometimes it’s necessary to wear gloves when handling spiders with tricky dispositions.
The next step to take in the event of a tarantula bite is to clean the wound. Wash it with soap and water and apply an antiseptic. Watch for signs of infection, a lot of redness, difficulty breathing or an abnormal amount of swelling. If you notice any of these signs, we highly recommend seeking professional medical attention as you could be having an allergic reaction to the bite.
It’s very likely that your spider bite will be painful and likely get a bit puffy and red. Any normal pain reliever such as acetaminophen or Ibuprofen should help with the discomfort.
Should you be unlucky enough to get urticating hairs in your skin, the best way to remove them is to use a piece of tape. Put the sticky side on the affected area and pull it off and the hairs should come out.
If you experience a lot of itching, swelling, or other discomfort after handling a tarantula or after knowingly having urticating hairs flicked onto you, it might be necessary to see a physician, although most cases are not that serious.
NOTE: You should never put your face and/or eyes close to a tarantula, but if you do somehow get urticating hairs in your eye, we do recommend seeing a doctor as soon as possible if you experience side effects that are adverse or long-lasting.
Conclusion
Tarantulas make excellent pets! They are beautiful to look at, fairly low maintenance, and can be fun to handle.
Please keep in mind when buying a pet spider that not all species are meant to be picked up or held. Some species are more docile than others and will take well to human handling, while others are aggressive in nature and should be “look don’t touch” pets.
If you would like recommendations on the best species of spider to keep for your needs or for your family’s needs, you can always ask in the comments section or email our customer service support team at sales@backwaterreptiles.com.
Welcome to our list of the best pet tarantulas in the world. Pet spiders are very polarizing – people either love the idea of keeping a large spider in their home or they hate it. At Backwater Reptiles, we take care of spiders destined to be people’s pets every day, so we understand the appeal of arachnids.
Our goal for this blog article is to describe and detail our picks for the top four best pet tarantulas. Read on to find out which species we chose.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi)
Red Knees are one of the most commonly kept pet tarantulas. They are readily available in chain pet stores and most people probably think of this species when they imagine what a tarantula looks like.
As you’ve probably surmised, Mexican red knee tarantulas are dark brown or black with distinctive red knee patches on the joints of their limbs. They grow to have a leg span of approximately seven inches. Males will live for around three to six years old, while females can live for around twenty five years.
Although we don’t necessarily recommend putting any tarantula with urticating hairs on your face, red knees are so docile that most owners feel comfortable enough to take the risk. Here’s one of our employees (Amanda) with her favorite Red knee.
Known for their reasonable temperaments, red knees usually don’t mind being handled. Although there is always some danger of being bit or getting urticating hairs in your skin, you don’t usually need to worry about this behavior with red knees. For the most part, although they can be skittish at first, red knees would rather hide from you than attack you.
We highly recommend a docile Mexican red knee tarantula if you are interested in acquiring a pet tarantula.
Rose Hair Tarantula (Grammostola rosea)
Rose hair tarantulas get their common name from the color of the hairs on their bodies. Some are more brightly colored than others with semi-metallic pink hairs, while others just have more of a dull pink tinge to them.
The rose hair is another species of tarantula that is known for its docile disposition. Many rose hair owners play with and handle their spiders on a regular basis without fear of being bitten or getting irritating hairs embedded in their skin.
This particular rose hair tarantula only has hints of pink or rose to its coloration. The amount of pink to the spider’s hairs varies from animal to animal.
If you purchase a spiderling rose hair, it will take approximately three to four years for it to reach maturity. A spiderling that starts off life around the size of a pencil eraser will eventually grow up to have a leg span between four to five inches.
Many people label the Brazilian black tarantula as the “ideal” pet spider. This is because they are a bold, jet black color with highly docile attitudes. They have simple care requirements and healthy appetites. They actually make great pet tarantulas for beginners and we’d even recommend them as a classroom pet.
Brazilian Blacks are terrestrial spiders, so although they don’t require a massive amount of space, we do highly recommend that your spider live in an enclosure that is wide and not super tall.
Pictured is a baby Brazilian black tarantula. They start out small, but they grow quite large.
Interestingly enough, we do recommend keeping a water dish in the Brazilian Black’s enclosure. Even though you might never see your spider drink water, both spiderlings and adults need humidity, and a water dish helps to maintain that.
Ready for a classroom pet? Or just want a friendly pet spider? Backwater Reptiles has healthy pet Brazilian Black tarantulas for sale.
Golden Blue Leg Baboon Tarantula (Harpactira pulchripes)
We’ve included the rare golden blue leg baboon tarantula on our list because it is almost a “collector’s” spider. Because it is so hard to find in the U.S., it becomes a highly sought after spider for arachnid enthusiasts. Keep in mind that because it is so sought after, it does come with a fairly steep price point.
Although it begins life as a relatively unremarkable spiderling with a tinge of blue to it, the golden blue leg baboon tarantula matures into a beautiful, large spider with metallic blue legs.
This spiderling is a very rare. When this little spider matures, it will have brilliant blue legs.
Like all the spiders on this list, the golden blue leg baboon will happily eat crickets and other appropriately sized invertebrates. Spiderlings can eat a small cricket every day, whereas adults are perfectly happy eating once or twice a week.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our guide to the best pet tarantulas in the world. Indeed, tarantulas aren’t for everyone. But, if you’re not an arachnophobe, then we would recommend any of the spiders on this list as a pet. Most are pretty friendly and all of them are very easy to care for in captivity.
