How to Take Care of a Spider

Want to Get a Pet Spider? Here’s What You Need to Know

Spiders are pretty cool, right? They're fascinating creatures, and having one as a pet can be a really rewarding experience. But it's important to take care of them properly. So, let's dive into the world of spider care!

Picking the Right Spider

First things first, you need to choose the right spider for you. It depends on your experience level, how much space you have, and your lifestyle.

For Beginners

• Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (Grammostola rosea): These are super chill. They’re easy to care for, and they can get pretty big, up to 5 inches across! Plus, they have cool reddish-brown fur.
• Mexican Red-knee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi): These guys are super striking with their bright red legs. They're calm and can live for a long time, like 15 to 20 years!
• Curly Hair Tarantula (Brachypelma albopilosum): You’ll love their beautiful white hairs, but they’re a little defensive. They might flick their hairs at you if they feel threatened.

For More Experienced Keepers

• Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi): This is the biggest spider in the world! They're a real challenge, even for experienced keepers. They eat a lot, and they can be aggressive.
• Pinktoe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia): These spiders are vibrant and fast. They can be tricky to handle because they're so quick and they like to jump!
• African Black Tarantula (Pterinochilus murinus): These guys are known for being aggressive. They're not for the faint of heart!

Before you get any spider, do your research! Make sure you can provide the care they need.

Setting Up Their Home

Your spider needs a comfortable place to live. Make sure it's big enough for them to move around, burrow, climb, and rest.

Tank Size

The size of the tank depends on the spider:

• Small spiders (less than 2 inches across): 10-gallon tank
• Medium spiders (2-4 inches across): 20-gallon tank
• Large spiders (over 4 inches across): 40-gallon tank or bigger

The bigger the tank, the better! It gives them more room to explore.

Substrate

This is the stuff that goes on the bottom of the tank. Your spider will use it to burrow and make their home comfy:

• Coco coir: This is super common and affordable. It holds moisture well.
• Vermiculite: This is light and won’t break down. It drains well too.
• Peat moss: This is good for burrowing, but it can get acidic over time.

Make sure the substrate is at least 2-3 inches deep so your spider can burrow.

Hides

Spiders are shy, so they need places to hide and feel safe.

• Cork bark: This looks natural and makes a great hide for your spider.
• Half logs: These are good for hiding and climbing.
• PVC pipes: These are simple and effective for hiding. Just cut them to the right size.

Give your spider a few different hiding spots! They’ll appreciate having options.

Water Dish

Spiders need fresh water, but they can’t drink from a regular bowl.

• Shallow water dish: A small dish with a thin layer of water.
• Cork bark with a water dish: A piece of cork bark with a little indentation to hold water.
• Water droplets: You can gently mist the tank with water. This will give your spider moisture and something to drink.

Temperature and Humidity

The right temperature and humidity levels depend on the type of spider you have.

• Tropical species: These need high humidity (70-80%) and warm temperatures (75-85°F).
• Desert species: These need lower humidity (40-50%) and warmer temperatures (80-90°F).

You can use a thermometer and hygrometer to check the temperature and humidity levels. To keep things right, you can use a heating pad outside the tank, a heat lamp, or a humidifier.

Feeding Your Spider

Spiders eat other animals! They’re carnivores.

Diet

• Insects: Crickets, mealworms, roaches, and other live insects are the main food for most spiders.
• Size: The prey shouldn’t be bigger than the spider’s head and thorax.
• Frequency: Baby spiders need to eat more often than adult spiders. A good rule of thumb is to feed young spiders once or twice a week, and adults once or twice a month.

It's important to give your spider a variety of foods to make sure they get all the nutrients they need. You can also add calcium and vitamin supplements to their food.

Feeding Procedure

Here’s how to feed your spider:

• Observe your spider: Before feeding, look to see if your spider is molting or lethargic. If they are, wait until they’re back to normal before feeding them.
• Feed at night: Most spiders are active at night, so it’s best to feed them then.
• Remove uneaten prey: After 24 hours, take out any food that wasn’t eaten to keep the tank clean.

Spider Behavior

Spiders are super interesting! They do all sorts of cool things.

Molting

Spiders shed their skin as they grow. This is called molting.

• Signs: Your spider might become slow, refuse to eat, and spin a thick web around itself before molting.
• Duration: Molting can take a few days or even weeks, depending on the spider’s age and type.
• Post-molting care: It's really important to keep the humidity and temperature high during molting. After they molt, don't handle them for a few days so their new skin can harden.

Web Building

Many spiders make webs to catch food and feel safe.

• Types: Different spiders make different kinds of webs, like orb webs, funnel webs, and sheet webs.
• Web maintenance: Spiders fix and rebuild their webs regularly to keep them good at catching prey.

Defensive Mechanisms

Spiders have developed ways to protect themselves from danger.

• Hairs: Some tarantulas have hairs on their abdomen that they can flick at things that scare them. These hairs can cause skin irritation and eye problems.
• Bites: Spiders have fangs that they use to inject venom. Most bites aren't dangerous, but they can hurt and cause swelling.
• Camouflage: Some spiders have colors and patterns that help them blend in with their surroundings.

Handling and Care

Some spiders are calm and can be handled, but it's important to remember they're wild animals. Treat them with respect.

Handling

• Avoid handling: It's best to avoid handling your spider unless you absolutely have to. Handling can stress them out, and they might bite if they feel threatened.
• If you must handle: Be gentle and avoid sudden movements or loud noises.
• Wash your hands: Always wash your hands before and after touching your spider.

Veterinary Care

Spiders are pretty low-maintenance pets, but they can get sick too.

• Signs of illness: Look for signs like lethargy, loss of appetite, changes in color, and trouble molting.
• Finding a veterinarian: Not all vets know about spider care. Find a vet who has experience with exotic animals.

The Bottom Line

Having a spider as a pet can be a really cool experience, but it takes commitment. By following these tips, you can give your spider a safe and healthy home. Remember to research your specific species and ask questions from experienced keepers or vets if you’re unsure about anything. With the right care, your spider can be your furry, eight-legged friend for many years to come!