Types of Tarantulas to Keep as Pets
Tarantulas are well-known for their enormous, nettle hair-covered bodies and long, twisted legs, and they are a form of arachnid that gives many folks goosebumps.
Besides their stinging bites, these hairy arachnids are non-venomous and thus harmless to people. These species can be found worldwide, spanning South America, Europe, and even Asia.
Do you know that there are about 800 different sub-species and 700 species of tarantulas?
It’s crazy, right!
I know, but people keep tarantulas as pets in their houses due to their slow and docile nature. They are easy to care for and favored. They tend to live about eight to ten years with good care.
Considering tarantulas have gained prominence, it is essential to understand this intriguing, unique pet species. Let us learn about its characteristics before deciding to buy them as pets.
About Tarantula
Species Overview:
Tarantulas are a type of huge, hairy arachnid of the Theraphosidae class. At the moment, 1,010 varieties have been recognized. While several other species of the similar subspecies (Mygalomorphae) are popularly described as “tarantulas” or “false tarantulas,” the name “tarantula” is primarily used to denote species of the tribe Theraphosidae.
Several species have favored the international ambiance exotic pet market. Many new animals are pets containing setae, or urticating bristles, which can irritate the skin and create eye injury in severe situations.
Tarantula Habitat
Tarantulas flourish in parched, well-drained terrain in exposed regions of the desert and prairie. Spiders in North America are all soil inhabitants. However, some general tarantulas reside in treetops, cliffs, caverns, or harvests like bananas and pineapples. Tarantulas can be found in diverse geographies.
Certain arachnid species are on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss and over-collection for the pet industry. However, the native species is widespread and not presently endangered.
The desert tarantula dwells in a deep hole protected with silk netting to keep it from collapsing. As the spider develops, the hole enlarges. If adequate soil is unavailable, an individual may seek refuge in crevices or trunks.
Identifying a Tarantula – What Do They Look Like?
Tarantulas are appealing as pets; however, you may also spot tarantulas in the wilderness. Tarantulas are easily identified due to their distinct form and look.
A tarantula’s normal length is from 5 cm to 11 cm tall, 8cm to 30cm, though certain species can grow more than 30 cm long. The coloring, habitat, and size of each tarantula differ according to the type.
However, certain features are shared by most of the species; all tarantulas don’t need to have the same qualities. Here are a few things you should know:
- Urticating Dense Hair.
- Possess Hairy Bodies.
- Certain genera possess stripes on their legs, making them look like limbs and better distinguish them.
- They have a distinct colored body like brown or black.
- They have eight legs
How Many Different Types Of Tarantulas Are There?
As per research, a distinct colored body there are about 1000+ species of tarantula in the world. However, there 1010 identified, and 800 are documented species altogether.
Types of Tarantula
#1 Pink Toe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia)
This Avicularia avicularia, often known as the pink toe tarantula, is indigenous to Costa Rica, Brazil, and the southern Caribbean. This variety is also known as the Guyana pink toe, the common pink toe, and the South American pink toe.
This arachnid species feeds on invertebrates like crickets, worms, beetles, roaches, and ants. They prey on larger insects, amphibians, and small reptiles when they grow.
This tree-dwelling species is small. The female grows in 11 to 13 cm approx (4.75 in), and the male grows around 9 cm approx (3.75 in). A full-grown can be up to 6 in length. They weigh around 0.5 ounces.
The life span of this species is very short, the male lives about 2-3 years, and the female lives about 9-10 years.
The Pink toe Tarantula is a quite friendly and arboreal creature. Few hostile Avacularia species bite and escape from places.
#2 Mexican Redknee Tarantulas (Brachypelma Hamorii)
The Mexican Redknee Tarantula, Latin name Brachypelma hamorii is a tarantula species living in Mexico.
This tarantula is a terrestrial spider and can be found in the states of Mexico, like mountain ranges, deciduous forests, scrublands, and deserts. They can live up to 30 years (the females live more than males).
They are harmless, calm, and docile unless they are threatened, they sting, and it’s not dangerous. The venom is weaker than a bee sting. Therefore, it is safe for beginner arachnid pet keepers.
They can grow up to 5 inches and weigh around 0.5 ounces. The appearance is a black body with brown hair and having orange and red knees.
This species feeds on locusts, roaches, and garden bugs. They also prey on small mice and lizards as special treats.
Mexican Redknee Tarantulas like to live in humid places. Therefore, the habitat should be of correct temperature and humidity. The maximum temperature of the tank should be 75 and 80°F.
Keeping a heating mat placed beneath one area of the tank is a smart solution to do this. Mexican red-knees can handle cooler conditions but should not allow the temperature in your tank to fall under 60°F.
#3 Desert Blonde Tarantula (Aphonopelma Chalcodes)
This western desert tarantula known as Aphonopelma Chalcodes, Arizona blond tarantula, or Mexican blond tarantula belongs to the Theraphosidae family.
They are mostly found in the Middle East, Southern Europe, Indonesia, Southern Asia, Australia, Central, and South America, and Africa.
It grows up to 6 inches and can weigh around 1 ounce. They look like Black hair on the femur, brown hair on the abdomen, and the upper shell has blond hair and lower legs. Their life span of males is 5-10 years, and females tend to live up to 24-30 years.
Desert Blond Tarantula are quite aggressive than other spiders in the listicles. They are nocturnal hunters, and their diets are lizards, small spiders, grasshoppers, locusts, and beetles.
Although they are poisonous, the venom is not lethal. Tlikesheir biting is painful for a short time and not as severe as bee stings. They need space to grow, so keep them in a bigger space and don’t need extra maintenance.
#4 Costa Rican Zebra Tarantulas (Aphonopelma Seemanni)
The Aphonopelma Seemanni or the Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula is a beautiful spider. They are mostly found in parts of Central America like Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and the western part of Costa Rica.
The normal leg spread of the Costa Rican zebra tarantula is 4 to 5 inches and weighs 0.5 ounces, although it can extend up to 6 inches. It has a black body, dark red hairs, white stripes on its limbs, and orange spinnerets.
The lifespan of females is 15-20 years, and males live around five years compared to females. They eat insects like crickets, bugs, and other smaller insects compared to their body.
Apart from weekly feedings and frequent habitat cleanings, it doesn’t take much care as a pet. However, bit is sometimes difficult to manage because of its skittery temperament and capability to run swiftly.
They only bite when they feel threatened, and its venom is less deadly than a bee sting.
#5 Green Bottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma Cyaneopubescens)
Chromatopelma Cyaneopubescens is well known for its chromatic green, blue, and orange body and royal blue legs.
They are semi-arboreal tarantula found in Northern Venezuela’s Paraguana area. This species has a modest development rate leg span of 4.5 to 6 inches and weighs about 0.5 oz when fully mature. Males survive just 3 or 4 years. However, females survive up to 14 years.
They are fast and shy creatures that nest in desert or scrub grasslands and at the roots of the cactus. This species feeds on reptiles and amphibians such as crickets, pinky mice, and mealworms.
The green bottle blue is a relatively calm and non-aggressive species toward people. This spider’s first instinct is to burrow rather than strike when confronted. They have very mild venom, and it only irritates the skin like a bee sting.
The Green Bottle Blue enjoys a dry habitat, which involves fairly easy maintenance. This species will flourish if you maintain the habitat dry and the water dish filled.
#6 Honduran Curly Hair Tarantulas (Tliltocatl Albopilosus)
Honduran Curly Hair Tarantulas popular moniker in the pet world, has lately been separated into Nicaraguan Curly Hair (genuine kind) and Honduran Curly Hair (curly hair). It is an excellent starter tarantula since it is resilient, easy to handle, and quite gentle as a mature.
These semi-burrowing terrestrial tarantulae are found in the Costa Rican rainforest regions, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They grow about 3 to 5.5 inches and weigh up to 1 ounce.
They look like short round bodies, with dark urticating hair with long golden bristles. The males survive for five years, and females can live up to 25 years. They like to eat small fruit flies, crickets, flour beetles, and nymph roaches.
Their poison is not harmful to humans, but they have urticating hairs that may flick outside their burrow on the web or into the air if individuals feel intimidated. However, they are slow-moving and docile creatures; they are hardly threatening.
They don’t require any specific temperature or humidity needs, and they’re incredibly simple to take care of.
#7 Brazilian Black Tarantulas (Grammostola Pulchra)
These species are found in native Brazil and Uruguay grasslands. They have glossy bodies, thick legs, clustered eyes, and solid black body color.
This species can grow to 8 inches, and leg span is 5-6 inches when mature. The average male species survive till eight years, and females survive till 20 years.
This species of tarantula are calm and friendly. They move slowly and seldom display signs of hostility. As a result, Brazilian black tarantulas make excellent pets. They mostly feed on fruit flies, cricket, mealworms, moths, and grasshoppers.
A Brazilian black tarantula will protect itself by flinging the urticating hairs off its body, which is exceptional. This spider is poisonous, although its venom isn’t that strong. However, they are much more inclined to escape than to strike.
These species are accustomed to large grasslands with ample shade and burrowing opportunities. Therefore, while keeping the tarantula in the tank, you should mimic this habitat in the spider’s tank.
#8 Brazilian Red and White Tarantula ( Nhandu Chromatus)
The Nhandu Chromatus is found in the lands of Brazil and is gaining quite popularity in the USA. They look like a dark brown body with white stripes on long legs and reddish hair on the body.
They can grow up to 7-8 inches, weighing 1 ounce and the average lifespan of males is up to 4 years, and females live up to 15 years. They like to eat crickets, small bugs, roaches, fruit birds, and mealworms.
This tarantula is highly hostile, skittish, and frequently aggressive. Though its venom is mild, its bite may be painful.
The Brazilian red and white tarantula doesn’t need much in its habitat and loves to keep things simple. Several natural pebbles and some artificial bushes should suffice. However, they certainly require a constant supply of clean, fresh water for care.
#9 Queensland Whistling Tarantulas (Selenocosmia crassipes)
Selenocosmia crassipes species is also known as barking spider and due to its hissing noise when threatened is also known as whistling tarantula. You can find them on the east coast of Queensland, Australia.
They are the largest spider in Australia, with a grey or brown body and thick front leg. The species can grow about 22 cm (8.7 inches) of leg span. Their average lifespan of males is up to 8 years, and females can live up to 30 years.
This nocturnal terrestrial dweller is unlikely to experience or prey on birds. Instead, these spiders mostly consume invertebrates such as bugs and other tiny arachnids. Small animals like lizards, skinks, and amphibians are also consumed.
This tarantula venom sting is not lethal to humans, although it can induce up to six hours of nausea. A dog or cat could die within thirty minutes of being injected with the poison.
They need a space with many shades for burrowing, moist air to breathe, and a moderate temperature of 22 – 28 degrees for optimal living.
#10 Pink Zebra Beauty Tarantulas (Eupalaestrus Campestratus)
Eupalaestrus Campestratus species are native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. This species looks dark brown with yellow striped patterns around its patellae but with a much shorter maximum leg span of 6 inches.
This species likes eating mealworms and crickets. The males can survive up to 7 years, and females can live up to 20 years. Their venom is not harmful to humans, but the sting might be painful as a bee sting.
They are a calm, gentle, relatively slow mover, and easy to handle. Consider its tropical roots into account while creating a shelter for your pink zebra beauty tarantula. Because these spiders love dark, hot, and moist environments, you should strive to replicate them as often as possible.
#11 Chilean Rose Tarantulas (Grammostola Rosea)
Chilean rose tarantulas are a renowned kind of pet arachnid. The bodies of this tarantula vary from black to brownish, with red and orange hair.
They are found in Bolivia, Argentina, and northern Chile. They are most lively in the evenings and at night.
They grow about 5.5 inches. Females live up to 20 years, and males live up to 5 years. These tarantulas are normally quiet, amenable to mild handling, and rarely bite. They feed on mealworms, moths, beetles, cockroaches, small lizards, and grasshoppers.
Their bite, like those of other tarantulas, is mildly poisonous. They also have urticating bristles that may flick from their abdomens at anticipated dangers.
They have a gentle temperament, aren’t usually inclined to attack, and move slowly. As a result, they are suitable for first-time tarantula caretakers. In addition, they’re usually rather simple to care for, involving only frequent feedings and habitat that replicates their natural landscape.
Your spider’s habitat should contain a hiding spot fashioned from a hollow stump, a chunk of clean debris, or an equivalent item available at pet stores. Fake plants (or live ones) may provide extra coverage and give the space a more natural feel.
#12 Goliath bird-eating Tarantula (Theraphosa Blondi)
This Theraphosa Blondi species is the king of spiders and the biggest ones worldwide. The Goliath bird-eating arachnid is traced in the north part of South American rainforests like Venezuela, northern Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname.
It dwells underground in the jungle, in silk-lined tunnels, and beneath stones and roots. The venom of the Goliath is harmful to tiny creatures but harmless to humans. A wasp’s stinging would hurt roughly the same.
They feed on invertebrates, mice, frogs, lizards, cockroaches, birds, and snakes.
It is the largest spider in terms of weight (175 g) and leg span (up to 13 cm); however, it is second behind the gigantic huntsman spider. The average lifespan of males is six years, and females live up to 25 years.
The ambiance should be moist, humid, and ventilated. The temperature of the place should be 75 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit International ambiance. Any beginner pet keeper can easily handle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy a tarantula?
You can buy different species online, or you can visit any all pet store to get your favorite tarantula for petting.
Where do tarantulas usually live?
This species is like arid, well-drained topsoil in broad parts of the desert and grassland. However, some genera reside in woods, cliffs, caverns, or harvests such as bananas and pineapples.
How to care for tarantulas?
Tarantulas are relatively low-maintenance pets, having their major upkeep requirements consisting of regular feedings and frequent cage cleanings.
How to tell if a tarantula is male or female?
Waiting till your tarantula grows will make understand the gender of them. Males in their maturestate have a hook on the bottom of their front leg. Adult males also possess bulbs on their pedipalps, the two shorter, leg-like feelers around their fangs. Here are the sexual characteristics of male spiders.
What is the biggest tarantula?
The biggest tarantula is the Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula with a leg span of 11 inches.
What is the most dangerous tarantula?
It contains any spider’s most neurologically potent poison and is often recognized as the world’s most hazardous spider. Brazilian Wandering Spiders are voracious predators who wander far.
Conclusion
A tarantula is a strange-looking arachnid with amazing ability. Tarantulae can be found all over the world. The good aspect is that tarantulas may be kept as pets if you are a spider enthusiast. Conduct extensive studying on tarantulas and obtain this lovely species.
Tarantulas are unusual creatures that may be a bunch of pleasure to have as a pet.
They need little upkeep and are ideal for first-time caretakers. They are also ideal for people who like a calm pet and do not wish to engage with them.
Many tarantulas possess international ambiance like live identical basic care requirements and are typically priced the same.