Best Tips for Choosing a Pet Spider
Spiders are fascinating to watch, but it’s essential to do your research before bringing one home as a pet spider. This will help you determine if owning a spider is right for you and your household. These unique creatures have specific care requirements, and while they aren’t overly demanding, your commitment should be as strong as it would be for any other pet.
Advantages of Owning a Pet Spider
Many people make impulsive pet purchases and often lose interest when the novelty wears off, which frequently happens with spiders. Here are some benefits of choosing a spider as a pet:
Spiders are quiet and clean pets. They can live comfortably in a small terrarium, taking up very little space. Watching pet spiders can be really interesting. They are also cheap to care for. If you have just one spider, it won’t feel lonely because they don’t need much social interaction.
Possible Disadvantages of Spiders as Pets
Even though spiders are easy to care for, you should think about these factors before getting one:
- Almost all spiders are somewhat poisonous. Some have stronger venom than others, so you need to be cautious. Some people can be allergic to spider bites, just like they can be allergic to bee stings.
- Tarantulas have several ways to protect themselves. Besides having mildly poisonous venom, they can also flick their hairs if they feel threatened.
- Many spiders are great at escaping, so you need a secure habitat to keep them and your home safe.
- Most spiders don’t live very long, but tarantulas can sometimes live over 20 years with the right care.
- Spiders usually don’t like to be handled. Dropping a tarantula can injure it severely, often leading to death.
- Spiders typically don’t get along with other pets.
- Also, some states have laws against owning or buying spiders.
Selecting the Right Pet Spider for You
If you’re new to keeping spiders, it’s best to choose a species that’s sturdy and not harmful. Great options for beginners include tarantulas like the Chilean rose, Mexican Redleg, or Costa Rican Zebra. Its not easy to take a pet spider. These spiders have venom similar to bee venom and are usually quite calm compared to other tarantulas. If you have kids, remember that many insect pets are better for “look but don’t touch” because they can be too delicate for frequent handling.
Things to Remember Before Buying a Pet Spider
Check Local Laws: First, check with your local authorities about whether it’s legal to own spiders in your area. Not all places allow it, even for non-venomous species.
Learn About Care Requirements: Find out what kind of housing, environment, and diet your spider needs. While many pet spiders are inexpensive to buy, some, especially exotic tarantulas, may require special care to thrive.
Consider Life Expectancy: Look into how long the species you’re interested in typically lives. Many spiders have short lifespans, but some tarantulas can live for 20 to 30 years, with females often living longer than males.
Learn Proper Handling: It’s crucial to know how to handle your spider correctly. This is important for both venomous and non-venomous species, as improper handling can injure or even kill them.
Understand Venom: Research which species are venomous. Even spiders with mild venom can cause pain. Tarantulas also have fine hairs on their abdomen that they may release when threatened, which can irritate your skin or eyes. Make sure you know how to avoid bites and what to do if one occurs, as well as how to deal with exposure to those irritating hairs.
