Tarantulas are exotic pets, and they’re one of the most commonly traded invertebrates in the exotic pet market worldwide. Every species of tarantula listed under international wildlife trade regulations (CITES) falls under Appendix II, and the pet trade classifies them alongside reptiles, amphibians, and other non-traditional companion animals. If you’re considering one, they’re surprisingly low-maintenance compared to most exotic pets, but they come with a few quirks worth understanding before you commit.
What Makes Tarantulas “Exotic”
An exotic pet is generally any animal kept as a companion that isn’t a dog, cat, or common domesticated farm animal. Tarantulas fit squarely in that category. They’re wild species that haven’t been domesticated over generations, they require specialized habitat setups, and they aren’t routinely treated by most veterinarians. Several popular pet tarantula species originate from Central America, South America, and Southeast Asia, which adds to their exotic classification.
Unlike many exotic pets, though, tarantulas are legal to own in most places without special permits. Some species native to Mexico (like the Mexican red-kneed tarantula) are protected under international trade agreements, meaning they must be captive-bred rather than wild-caught to be sold legally.
How Long Tarantulas Live
This is the detail that catches most people off guard. Female tarantulas can live past 30 years. Males typically live up to 10 years, sometimes less, because they tend to decline after reaching sexual maturity. According to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, the most common pet species (Chilean rose and Mexican red-kneed tarantulas) fall within this 10 to 30 year range. A female tarantula purchased as a spiderling could easily outlast a dog or cat, so this is a genuine long-term commitment.
Popular Beginner Species
Not all tarantulas are equally suited to first-time owners. The species below are widely recommended for their calm temperaments and forgiving care requirements.
- Mexican red-kneed tarantula: Striking orange and black legs, slow-moving, and not prone to sudden bolting. This is the species most people picture when they think of pet tarantulas.
- Curly hair tarantula: Often called “the friendliest tarantula in the world” among hobbyists. It has a fluffy, slightly tousled appearance and an exceptionally calm disposition.
- Mexican red rump tarantula: A bit more active than the others, which makes it more interesting to watch. Adaptable and hardy.
- Mexican painted red leg tarantula: Beautiful orange, black, and brown coloring with a very calm temperament. Rarely nervous, eats reliably, and tends to be visible in its enclosure rather than hiding.
- Antilles pink toe tarantula: One of the most colorful tarantulas available, but slightly more sensitive to humidity and temperature. Better for someone willing to pay closer attention to enclosure conditions.
Cost of Buying and Keeping a Tarantula
Tarantulas are among the cheapest exotic pets to own. Common beginner species cost between $25 and $350, depending on age, sex, and species. Rare collector species can run into the thousands, but most first-time buyers won’t go that route.
The initial enclosure setup (tank, substrate, water dish, hides, and possibly a heat source) runs $70 to $250. After that, the ongoing costs are minimal. Feeding costs roughly $5 to $15 per month, totaling $60 to $180 per year. Tarantulas don’t need vaccinations, regular vet visits, or grooming. Compared to a reptile or small mammal, the annual cost of keeping a tarantula is remarkably low.
Housing and Environment
Most pet tarantula species thrive in temperatures between the high 60s and mid-80s Fahrenheit, which means room temperature in a typical home works fine for much of the year. If your home drops below the high 60s in winter, a small heat mat or space heater can bridge the gap.
Humidity is where new keepers tend to overcorrect. The old advice about misting enclosures heavily has largely fallen out of favor. Even species once thought to need high humidity, like pink toes and some Asian species, do well at moderate levels (around 40 to 50 percent) as long as they have a water dish available. For tropical and Asian species, keeping the substrate slightly moist on one side of the enclosure and providing a water dish is typically enough. If you live in a naturally humid climate, adding extra moisture can actually cause mold and respiratory problems for the spider.
Terrestrial species (ground dwellers) need floor space more than height, with a few inches of substrate for burrowing. Arboreal species (tree dwellers like pink toes) need taller enclosures with vertical climbing surfaces and cork bark.
Feeding
Tarantulas eat live insects. Crickets are the most common feeder, but roaches, mealworms, and superworms all work well. Baby tarantulas (spiderlings) eat every two to three days if offered small prey, or once a week if given a larger item. Juveniles do well with a larger prey item once or twice a week.
Adults vary by species. A Chilean rose tarantula only needs four or five crickets per month. A large species like a Goliath birdeater could eat that much in a single sitting, twice a week. The feeding schedule is flexible, and tarantulas can go weeks without food when they’re preparing to molt, so there’s no need to panic if yours refuses a meal.
Molting: The Most Critical Phase
Tarantulas grow by shedding their exoskeleton, a process called molting. This happens frequently in young spiders and less often in adults. The signs that a molt is coming include a darkening bald spot on the abdomen, duller overall coloring, increased webbing (they often lay down a silk mat to molt on), and loss of appetite.
When the molt begins, most tarantulas flip onto their backs. This alarms new owners who think the spider is dying, but it’s completely normal. The single most important rule during molting: do not touch or disturb the tarantula. They are extremely fragile while their new exoskeleton is soft. Remove any uneaten feeder insects from the enclosure beforehand, because even a cricket can injure a molting tarantula. After the molt, wait several days before offering food again to let the new exoskeleton harden.
Safety Risks for Owners
No human death has ever been recorded from a tarantula bite. The venom is designed for insects and small prey, not people. A bite from most pet species causes localized pain, some swelling, and itching that lasts several hours. Some bites are nearly painless. In rare cases, more significant muscle cramping or tissue irritation can develop, but serious medical complications are extremely uncommon.
The more frequent issue is urticating hairs. New World tarantulas (species from the Americas) have tiny barbed hairs on their abdomens that they can flick off when stressed. These hairs cause intense itching, redness, and irritation on skin, and the reaction can last for weeks. If the hairs reach your eyes, they can lodge in the cornea and cause a painful inflammatory condition. If inhaled, they can trigger coughing, wheezing, and airway irritation. In rare cases, people with sensitivities can have an allergic reaction to either a bite or hair exposure. The practical takeaway: wash your hands after cleaning an enclosure, don’t rub your eyes, and avoid putting your face near a stressed tarantula.
Why Handling Isn’t Recommended
Despite photos of tarantulas sitting calmly on people’s hands, most experienced keepers advise against handling. The risk isn’t primarily to you. It’s to the spider. Tarantulas have thin, fragile abdomens, and a fall from even a short height can rupture the exoskeleton, causing fatal bleeding. As a Cornell University resource puts it bluntly, dropped tarantulas “tend to splat and bleed to death.” A startled spider on your hand can bolt unexpectedly, and catching a falling tarantula without injuring it is nearly impossible.
Tarantulas also don’t bond with their owners or seek out interaction. They tolerate handling at best. For most keepers, the appeal is observational: watching them hunt, web, burrow, and molt. If you’re looking for a hands-on pet, a tarantula probably isn’t the right fit. If you’re drawn to the idea of maintaining a small, self-contained habitat with a fascinating animal inside it, they’re one of the most rewarding and low-cost exotic pets available.