General Tarantula CAre, what to know BEFORE you buy

[Shadowspider]

Ok, this is a pretty long write up, so, grab a cup of coffee and a snack and settle in for a bit of a read.
If you take the time to read the whole thing, you'll learn a lot and will be *much* more prepared for making a wise decision as to what species tarantula to get, how to choose one, where to get one and how to take care of it.

Making The Choice

The first question a potential keeper must ask themselves is "what kind"?
While there are several hundred species from which to choose, choosing the right one for your lifestyle, experience level and personal taste can prove to be challenging. Many hobbyists have said that the New World species are calmer, more docile and less venomous than the Old World species.....this is not entirely true. While most Old World species do tend to be more skittish and/or aggressive, do tend to have a more potent venom and usually do not have uriticating hair, it would be a bit short sighted to use it as a blanket statement. Whether you choose a Grammostola or a Poeciotheria, you must consider the species typically known temperament, aggression level and "mood swings."

ALL tarantulas are venomous, and to say that "A" is more venomous than "B", or that "A" is more likely to bite than "B" would be incorrect. A and B can both bite you and can inject venom. Some species of tarantula are known to have a higher toxicity level than others, however, it is more the probability of which has the greater history of aggression and tendency to bite as well as the amount of venom injected.

The toxicity of tarantula venom is often compared to that of a bee's sting; this is a very poor analagy to make. Tarantulas are considered harmless to humans (there have been NO reported deaths due to a tarantula's bite). However, this statement is a bit too general. While indeed, there have been no reported deaths from a tarantula's bite, they are not "harmless" to humans. There is, however slight, a chance of allergic reaction to tarantula venom; although, given the compounds that tarantula venom consists of, the likelyhood of allergic reaction and/or anaphylactic shock are very small, even in the event of a venom injected bite from a Poecliotheria or related species. Make no mistake, getting bit by *any* tarantula can and generally does hurt and will usually swell, turn red and cause some level of discomfort for anywhere from a couple hours up to several months (in the case of Poeclotheria bites which can cause full body muscle spasms for months).
If you are allergic to bees, wasps, other stinging insects, or have had a severe reaction to a true spider bite or scorpion sting, it is advised that you either not keep a tarantula or do so at your own risk and DON'T handle the spider.


There are many species that have, over time and through the reports of hobbyists and researchers world wide, been "proven" to be of a more docile nature and more of an acceptable pet for the beginner than others. Among these are the Aphonpelma, Brachypelma and Grammostola species. However, just because it's a "Rose hair" or a "Red knee" doesn't mean that it might not be one of those that is just grumpy all the time. As a rule of thumb, tarantulas are a "display pet: like your fish. We, as humans, tend to feel the need to handle our tarantulas, but the tarantula does not feel the need to be handled, they prefer to be left alone...how often do you take your fish out of the tank and pet them? The assumption that "if I start handling my spider ling now, every day, then it will get use to me and won't bite or kick hair" is absolutely WRONG. While it is possible for a tarantula to become accustom to being handled and some have even been known to walk up to and into their keeper's hand when the hand is placed into the enclosure, this is NOT true of all tarantulas. Some tarantulas never adapt to being handled. Even those that do, the slightest disturbance (example, being blown on or a loud noise) can frighten them and cause them to bite or run. Tarantulas are not kittens or puppies, they do not get accustom to their keepers and "bond" with them. They are a wild creature and are not tamable. Handling should be kept to a minimum, IE, when moving them from one enclosure to another or for examination in suspect of injury. If these duties can be done without physical contact, all the better for you as well as the tarantula. [The owners and managers of this group DO NOT condone handling a tarantula for entertainment purposes]

Tarantulas, by nature, are somewhat nervous creatures. Whether wild caught or captive bred, they do possess instincts like anything else. If they feel threatened or frightened, they will react. While this reaction is most commonly to run for cover, if they feel cornered and have no means of escape, they will defend themselves. Knowing the typical tarantula body language is the most important factor for keeping yourself as well as the tarantula free from harm.

Continued in next post....