Tarantula generally refers to large, hairy spiders from the Theraphosidae family. The Family Theraphosidae occurs in Brazil and the Caribbean islands and is spread to the United States and British Columbia in the West. They are found in Africa, Southern Europe, and almost all of Asia, including the South Pacific region to Northern Australia. Most tarantulas live in various ecological conditions; some even share the same habitats. Suppose you want to have a Tarantula as a pet. In that case, you should know that the average lifespan of a Tarantula depends on its species and the ecological condition of the area. The life span of a Tarantula is also varied from male to female. Let’s discover the lifespan of Tarantulas in the wild and captivity. This blog will also discuss the care tips for a tarantula as a pet.
How Long Do Tarantulas Live?
There are hundreds of species of Tarantulas. They are hairy and giant spiders. Their life spans vary from decades to a few years, depending on their species and genders. In general, female tarantulas live longer than male ones. Male tarantulas make webs to attract females. Male tarantulas usually die after mating. If kept in proper environmental conditions, female tarantulas can live up to 25 years longer in captivity than in the wild. Tarantulas can live longer without the risk of predators, good environmental conditions, and food.
How Long Do Tarantulas Live as Pets?
The lifespan of Tarantulas in captivity is usually longer than in the wild. There are no predators in captivity, and they get care and food. Tarantulas are easy pets but require care like any other pet. Choose female tarantulas if you’re looking for a long-lasting companion. Male tarantulas live a shorter life. However, lifespan also depends on the species. The average life span of Tarantulas also depends on what species you have as a pet. Let’s discuss the lifespan of some popular species of Tarantulas as pets.
Types Of Tarantulas
Common Brown Tarantula
Consideration as Pet: These Tarantulas are perfect for beginners. They are docile and don’t require too much care or attention.
Where Do Tarantulas Live: This species of Tarantula, also known as the Oklahoma Brown Tarantula, is a native species of southern America.
LifeSpan: Female common brown Tarantulas have an average lifespan of three decades. On the other hand, male familiar brown Tarantulas have shorter life spans, up to 10 years, only after fully growing up.
Behavior: Common Brown Tarantulas are calm species that make good pets. They emerge at night to seek small insects and prey.
Care: Common Brown Tarantulas are easy pets but require good care to live longer in captivity. They need a suitable enclosure with proper temperature and humidity to grow healthy. They are usually calm but may get stressed with too much handling. They also grow by molting like any other tarantula.
Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula
Consideration as Pet: Chilean Rose-Hair Tarantulas, also known as Rose-Hair Tarantulas, are another species of tarantula that is docile and suitable for keeping as a pet.
LifeSpan: These tarantulas require easy care. Chilean Rose-Hair Tarantulas have a lifespan of two decades. Male species, like any other male tarantula, live less. They can have a lifespan of a maximum of 10 years.
Where Do Tarantulas Live: Chilean Rose-Hair Tarantulas are native to deserts and scrublands.
Care: Rose-hair tarantulas are easy pets that require easy care. This species is native to dry land areas and thrives in dry environments with moderate humidity. They are slow-moving tarantulas that sit in one place for a long time. They don’t require much food during winter and can live long without eating. They also eat insects and get active during nighttime like any other tarantulas. They are good at handling things but try to avoid overdoing them, which can be stressful.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula
Consideration as Pet: These Mexican Red Knee tarantulas are a popular choice in the pet trade due to their docile nature and striking appearance.
LifeSpan: Female Mexican red-kneel Tarantulas can live up to three decades in captivity, while male red-kneel tarantulas have a lifespan of 10 years.
Where Do Tarantulas Live: These Tarantulas are native to desserts and scrublands.
Care: Mexican Red Knee Tarantulas are native to dry lands, so they require an environment similar to their natural habitat to thrive. This species is best for beginners due to its calm and gentle nature. Their diet includes small insects. These tarantulas require feed once a week. Though they are docile, they avoid frequent handling to reduce stress.
Brazilian Black Tarantula
Consideration as Pet: The Brazilian Black Tarantula is perfect for beginners. Their remarkable appearance is the reason they are well-liked. They are pretty soft, serene, and manageable. Brazilian Black Tarantula requires an easy care routine.
Where Do Tarantulas Live: These Tarantulas are native to Brazil.
LifeSpan: These jet-black tarantulas can live up to three decades or more, depending upon their care and environmental conditions. Female tarantulas typically outlive male ones. They look fascinating, making them a popular choice in the pet trade.
Care: This tarantula species belongs to the Brazilian grasslands and needs a similar environment to thrive. Moderate humidity and places to hide and layer for burrowing would be ideal environments for them. These tarantulas are like shelters. Handle them gently and avoid handling them unnecessarily; otherwise, they are very calm and gentle.
Do Tarantulas Bite?
Tarantulas can be found worldwide. Despite their intimidating appearance, these spiders pose no danger to humans. Tarantulas are timid and avoid human contact as much as possible. If you have a pet tarantula, avoid handling it too much. Excessive handling can stress them. Like any other animal, they bite only if they feel threatened. They are not poisonous, but their bite can cause a little pain. Respect the space and do not cause stress to your beloved pet. Avoiding too much handling is advised because this can also cause injury to the tarantula’s limbs.
When Does My Tarantula Need Veterinary Care?
Tarantulas don’t need much veterinary care unless they are injured, not eating, or have problems with molting. As pets, they require easy care but might need veterinary care in some conditions.
Injuries: If your pet Tarantula is bleeding from the abdomen or legs, take them to the veterinarian. This can happen due to rough handling or molting.
Molting: Tarantulas molt more often during their younger age. Sometimes, they face difficulties during molting that could be life-threatening. In this case, take your pet tarantulas to the veterinarian. During shedding their exoskeleton, they may get a deformed limb. It would help if you took them to a specialist in this situation.
Behavioral Issue: Some don’t eat frequently if your pet tarantula does not eat after a certain time. Before the process of molting, tarantulas tend to avoid eating. Accept these conditions; if your pet tarantula is not eating, you may need the help of a professional.
Suppose your pet Tarantula is showing aggressive behavior despite their truly calm nature. This could mean that they are stressed or sick. In this case, you may seek the help of a veterinarian.
Conclusion
After going through every detail, we have concluded that if you are a beginner as a tarantula keeper, go for the above-listed species. If you want a pet who stays with you for a long time, then opt for a female species. They have a longer lifespan than males. Provide eco conditions similar to their native habitat to keep them healthy. Learn about their nature and behavior before keeping them as pets, which will help you understand your pet’s handling. Seek professional help if you find any unusual behavior or any injury. Keep your pet healthy by understanding their habitat and behavior.
FAQs
Can Tarantulas Live For 30 Years?
Female Tarantulas live longer than males. Male tarantulas die after a few months of mating. Tarantulas live longer in captivity due to no predator threat and care.
What Do Tarantulas Eat?
Tarantulas eat small insects, such as beetles, grasshoppers, small lizards, and other small spiders. They can even catch and eat anything of the right size.
Are Tarantulas Dangerous?
Although tarantulas are intriguing animals, not everyone is a good candidate for keeping them as pets. You should choose a docile species if you still want to keep them. Keepers should also learn about their behavior and native habitat to provide them with a similar environment.
Are Tarantulas Poisonous?
Tarantula bites can cause allergic reactions in some people, but they are not life-threatening. Although their bite may feel like a bee sting and leave redness, the idea that tarantulas are poisonous is untrue.
Are Tarantulas Friendly?
Neither Tarantulas are friendly nor deadly. Tarantulas can’t have an emotional bond with their owners like dogs or cats. We as humans can adore them, but tarantulas cannot develop emotional bonds with their keeper. Some species of Tarantulas are gentle and calm to keep them as pets with an understanding of their native habitat and behavior.