When I was a kid, around six years old, my dad took me to a local pet store. While he was chatting with the store clerk, I was off exploring the aisles, fascinated by all the animals. Among the usual suspects like gerbils, lizards, guinea pigs, and frogs, something stopped me in my tracks. In a large tank right in the middle of the store, there was the biggest spider I had ever seen. I’d seen tarantulas on late-night horror movie shows with my mom, but those scary movie spiders were nothing compared to seeing a real one up close. This amazing creature, which I later learned was a Brachypelma smithi, or Mexican redknee tarantula – a classic in the tarantula hobby – was both the most incredible and terrifying thing I had ever encountered.
That moment sparked my lifelong fascination with tarantulas.
Fast forward almost fifteen years, after I had moved out and started my own life, I finally got my first pet spider. It took a while, but I eventually dove headfirst into the tarantula hobby, and now I have a collection of over 130 different species. Being a teacher, I felt driven to share what I learned about tarantulas and their care, which led me to create Tom’s Big Spiders, a website where I could write articles about tarantula care and answer questions from other enthusiasts.
Most of the people who reach out to me are already tarantula owners or are definitely planning to get one. However, there’s a group of people who are still unsure, trying to figure out if a giant, hairy spider would be a good pet for them. Of course, I’m a huge tarantula fan and think they make amazing pets. But my experience has also taught me that they aren’t for everyone. Just like any animal, tarantulas have their advantages and disadvantages, and anyone thinking about getting one should know both the good and the potentially challenging aspects of bringing an eight-legged friend into their home.
So, let’s explore the pros and cons of keeping a pet tarantula!
The Allure of Tarantulas: Why Consider One?
They take up little space
One of the biggest advantages of having a tarantula as a pet is that they don’t need much space compared to many other animals. Most adult tarantulas reach a leg span of about 5-6 inches at most, meaning they only need an enclosure roughly the size of a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Many people keep their spiders on shelves, desks, dressers, or even bedside tables. This makes them ideal pets for smaller homes, apartments, bedrooms, classrooms, or offices.
Because they are so compact, another popular aspect of the hobby is collecting multiple tarantulas. Since they don’t take up much room, many enthusiasts find themselves owning several different species. You might wonder why someone would want more than one tarantula, and that brings us to the next great thing about them…
There are many to choose from
When you think of a tarantula, you probably picture the classic big, brown, hairy spider. But many people don’t realize that there are over 900 species of tarantulas, each with unique traits, sizes, patterns, and colors. There are terrestrial tarantulas that mostly live on the ground. There are fossorial species that live in burrows underground. And then there are the stunning arboreal tarantulas that live in trees. Some species prefer dry, desert-like environments, while others need more humid conditions to thrive.
They also come in amazing colors like blues, greens, oranges, and even purples. When I first started researching tarantulas, I thought the photos of brightly colored spiders were fake, Photoshopped to look more interesting. I was amazed to find out that these incredible colors are completely real. With all the different patterns, colors, sizes, and habitat needs, there’s a huge variety of fascinating tarantulas for anyone interested in the hobby.
They are VERY low maintenance
Most of us are used to pets that need daily attention – multiple feedings, enclosure cleaning, walks, and yearly vet visits. So, it can be surprising to learn that tarantulas are among the lowest maintenance pets you can get. First of all, you can forget about daily feedings. Tarantulas only need to eat an appropriately sized meal once a week or even once a month to stay healthy. They are also very clean animals that don’t require frequent changes of their bedding or substrate.
If you get a spiderling (a baby tarantula) or a juvenile, you’ll start it in a small enclosure and will need to move it to a larger one as it grows. This is called “rehousing,” and most spiderlings will need to be rehoused a couple of times before they reach adulthood. Once they are in their adult homes, tarantulas can live on the same substrate for years as long as you spot clean, removing leftover food (called boluses) and old exoskeletons (molts). Their waste is small and dry, often absorbed into the substrate. If any gets on the enclosure walls, it’s easy to wipe off with a damp paper towel. Any waste on the substrate can be scooped out with a spoon. Besides this, just ensure your tarantula has a water dish with fresh water (no sponge needed, they won’t drown!), and that’s pretty much it.
They are inexpensive to keep
Because tarantulas need very little to live comfortably, they can be one of the cheapest and easiest pets to care for. You don’t need expensive enclosures or special heating. Many people successfully keep their spiders in simple containers bought for just a few dollars. My first tarantula, The Queen, lived for her first 10 years in a modified plastic storage bin that cost about $3. The truth is, a tarantula can do just as well in a basic plastic bin as in a fancy glass terrarium, giving you a lot of flexibility in how much you want to spend on its setup. A basic adult tarantula setup only needs an enclosure, some substrate (like coco fiber or topsoil), a hide (cork bark is popular), and a water dish. That’s all. They do well at normal room temperatures (above the mid-60s Fahrenheit) and don’t need special lighting, so you don’t need to buy expensive lighting systems or heat mats. A budget-conscious owner could set up a perfect home for a new pet tarantula for under $20.
Considering that they eat insects and only need to be fed a couple of times a month, the ongoing cost of keeping tarantulas is very low compared to other pets. If you feed your tarantula crickets weekly, it might cost you only around $0.60 a month for food. Mealworms are another cheap option, and any uneaten ones can be refrigerated and used later. People with larger tarantula collections sometimes even breed their own feeder insects like mealworms or roaches to have a constant and cheap food supply.
Even buying the tarantulas themselves can be affordable. While adult, sexed tarantulas can be pricey, baby tarantulas (spiderlings) are often available for under $50. Finally, with tarantulas, there are no annual vet checkups, vaccinations, or expensive medications needed. Most tarantulas live from spiderling to adulthood without health problems; they are generally very healthy pets.
Setting up their habitats can be quite rewarding
For many tarantula keepers, a big part of the enjoyment comes from creating beautiful and natural-looking enclosures for their pets. While fancy setups aren’t necessary and don’t really benefit the spider directly, they add another layer of enjoyment for many hobbyists. Instead of simple setups, some keepers prefer to house their tarantulas in high-quality glass or acrylic enclosures, adding live plants and other natural elements like moss, leaf litter, and backgrounds. These setups can bring a touch of nature into a room and become a great conversation starter when you have visitors. For some, creating stunning, visually appealing habitats becomes a core part of the hobby, similar to how some fish keepers focus on elaborate aquarium setups.
Longevity
When I got my first tarantula, a young adult Grammostola porteri or Rose hair tarantula, back in the mid-90s, I worried she wouldn’t live very long. I was completely wrong. This spider, who I named The Queen, lived for another 26 YEARS with me. Most female tarantulas can live for 10 to 30+ years, depending on the species, and many common “beginner” tarantulas are slow-growing species that can easily live 20 years or more. While male tarantulas have shorter lifespans, many can still live for 5 years or longer. If you’re looking for a pet that will be with you for many years, there are definitely many tarantula species to consider.
Tarantulas can help people to overcome arachnophobia
When I got my first tarantula back in the 90s, part of my reason was to help me overcome my lifelong fear of spiders. It took some time, but working with tarantulas completely cured my arachnophobia.
And I’m not the only one.
Over the years, I’ve talked to many keepers who were afraid of spiders before getting their first tarantula, and now they are no longer afraid. It might seem strange, but many people find the large, hairy tarantulas less scary than the small, common house spiders they usually see. Because of this, they find it easier to handle tarantulas without the same fear they would feel around, say, a wolf spider. For those who keep tarantulas, the fascination of observing and caring for these animals gradually replaces fear with respect and eventually admiration.
They are fascinating
Search for “tarantula feeding videos” on YouTube, and you’ll find thousands of videos of people feeding their pet spiders. These videos have millions of views just because many people find watching spiders hunt and eat incredibly fascinating. There’s something captivating about a 6-inch spider doing a “tarantula happy dance,” spinning around while webbing up its prey.
Feeding time is just one of the many fascinating aspects of keeping a pet tarantula. Raising a tarantula from a tiny spiderling to a large adult is an amazing and rewarding process. Even though I’ve seen hundreds of spiders molt, I’m still in awe every time it happens. And for those who decide to breed their tarantulas, it’s one of the most incredible and fulfilling experiences the hobby offers.
Sometimes, even just watching them sit there doing nothing is cool – after all, it IS a giant spider. Tarantulas are inherently cool and fascinating creatures.
The Reality Check: Challenges of Tarantula Ownership
They are NOT cuddly or affectionate
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a pet that will show affection like a dog, cat, or even a rat, a tarantula isn’t for you. While there’s ongoing debate about their intelligence, and some keepers believe they can “learn,” they are not wired to be affectionate. Just as you wouldn’t cuddle a pet fish, most keepers agree that tarantulas should be treated with respect and observation, not cuddling.
While some people who handle their tarantulas report that their spiders seem to get used to handling, there’s no evidence that they enjoy or benefit from it. Also, a tarantula’s temperament can change after each molt, so a usually calm spider might become skittish or defensive after molting. If you want a pet to cuddle with on the couch while watching a movie, you should probably choose a furry, conventional pet.
The are not legal in all places
Although it’s not common, some cities, states, and even countries have laws against keeping tarantulas. Sometimes these restrictions apply only to certain species, while in other places, they might ban all venomous arachnids. It’s essential to check your local laws before getting a tarantula to make sure it’s legal where you live.
They are venomous animals that can bite or “hair” if threatened
While tarantulas can be great pets, it’s crucial to remember they are exotic, undomesticated animals. If they feel threatened, they all have fangs and venom to defend themselves. Most tarantulas kept as pets are New World species from North and South America and surrounding islands. These species have mild venom, and a bite from one is generally considered about as painful as a bee sting. However, New World tarantulas have a second defense mechanism: urticating hairs. These are irritating, barbed hairs on their abdomen that they can kick off in a cloud if they feel threatened. These hairs can get into your skin and cause burning, itching, and general discomfort. By treating your tarantula with respect and caution, you can easily avoid situations that might lead to a bite or hair flicking. However, anyone keeping these animals should be aware of these potential risks.
Feeder insects can be a turnoff
Believe it or not, for some people, the biggest problem with keeping tarantulas isn’t the spider itself, but the insects you have to feed them. People who are squeamish around bugs might find the crickets, roaches, or mealworms used as food to be disgusting. I’ve talked to many keepers over the years who dreaded feeding time because they didn’t like handling the feeder insects. Others have trouble with feeding because they feel sorry for the insects and don’t like feeding live prey.
Others may have negative reactions to them
Recently, my wife, who is also very involved in the tarantula hobby, posted pictures of some tarantula molts on her Facebook page. After she mentioned that we keep tarantulas as pets, one of her “friends” commented, bragging about how many tarantulas she had killed. Sadly, tarantula keepers are used to hearing comments like, “I’d smash it,” “Kill it,” and “Burn that thing” whenever they try to share their pets with others. I’ve had people tell me they wouldn’t visit my house because they know I keep spiders.
Arachnophobia is one of the most common phobias in the world, and fear often leads to disgust. Instead of appreciating these creatures and understanding their benefits, many people are repulsed by them. If you want to share your love of tarantulas with friends, you might be met with negativity. Even worse, if you live with roommates or family, you might face resistance when you want to bring a pet spider home. Personally, I was absolutely forbidden from keeping tarantulas when I lived with my parents because my mother was arachnophobic. Others have also been turned down by roommates or partners. If you live with others, it’s important to discuss any potential issues early on.
They can attract the wrong type of keeper
In my years of interacting with tarantula keepers, I’ve found that they come from all walks of life. I’ve spoken to teachers, doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, and even grandparents who keep these animals. The stereotype of tarantula keepers as heavily tattooed, antisocial people who play with spiders in the dark while listening to death metal is just that – a stereotype.
However, it’s true that some people are drawn to tarantulas because they are seen as “scary” and “dangerous.” Their only reason for getting them as pets is to show off their “bravery” and recklessness. A quick search on YouTube will find many sensational videos by keepers promoting their “aggressive” and “deadly” spiders to get views. Many of these keepers practice poor husbandry, like keeping adult tarantulas in tiny enclosures without enough substrate, just to provoke “aggressive” displays when they interact with them. Others post photos and videos of themselves being reckless with their tarantulas on social media, teasing them, handling highly venomous species, or even putting them on their faces. People like this are harmful to the hobby because they endanger themselves and their animals while reinforcing the negative stereotype that spiders are dangerous creatures to be feared. Tarantulas are not domesticated animals or toys, and they deserve keepers who treat them with respect and present them responsibly to the public.
Finally, The tarantula hobby is incredibly addictive
Maybe this should be seen as a warning rather than a con, but it’s important to mention. Whenever I talk to someone getting their first tarantula, I always end the conversation with, “Be careful: they are addictive!” Most people just laugh it off at first, but then contact me months later when they own dozens of these creatures. It’s a fact that most people who get a tarantula as a pet end up getting more than one. It took me years after getting my Grammostola porteri before I really got “hooked” on the hobby. Now, I have a collection of over 200 spiders. I’m an extreme example, but collections of 30 or more are not uncommon. If you are someone who enjoys collecting things, consider yourself warned…
So…is a tarantula the right pet for you?
For anyone looking for an unusual and truly fascinating pet, a tarantula can be an amazing choice. Beautiful, hardy, and endlessly interesting, these incredible animals are much more than the scary creatures often portrayed in the media. If you treat them with respect and care, they can be wonderful pets that bring years of enjoyment.
If you’re thinking about getting a tarantula, doing thorough research is ESSENTIAL. I created this website to help beginner keepers, and the information here is up-to-date and based on personal experience. I also recommend joining tarantula forums or Facebook groups to connect with other experienced keepers.
Tom Moran – Tom’s Big Spiders
