Tarantula: All About a Legendary Spider and Its Care

What is a Tarantula?

Tarantulas are large, hairy, and generally harmless spiders. These spiders, which belong to the tarantula family, live in different climates around the world. Tarantulas can grow to a length of 20 cm and have a long lifespan of 30-40 years. Most tarantulas are solitary animals in nature and do not move much.

Tarantula Types and Features

There are over 900 different species of tarantulas. Here are some popular species and their characteristics:

1. Goliath Tarantula (Theraphosa blondi)

• Size : It is the largest tarantula in the world and can grow up to 30 cm.
• Habitat : Lives in the forests of South America.
• Features : It has an extremely large and intimidating appearance, but is generally calm and cautious.

2. Mexican Redknee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi)

• Size : It can grow up to 15 cm.
• Habitat : Found in Mexico and surrounding areas.
• Features : Its appearance is quite striking, it has a calm nature and is quite easy to care for. For this reason, it is one of the preferred species to be kept at home.

3. Chilean Rose Tarantula (Grammostola rosea)

• Size : Around 10-15 cm.
• Habitat : It lives in the deserts of Chile.
• Features : It has a peaceful structure and its care and production are quite popular. It is one of the most common species kept at home.

4. Pink Toe Tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata)

• Size : Around 12-15 cm.
• Habitat : Found in tropical regions of South America.
• Features : Known for its beautiful pink feet, it can be quite aggressive and is preferred by more experienced hobbyists.

Tarantula Care: How to Care for It at Home?

Keeping tarantulas at home requires proper knowledge and careful care. Here are some important points to consider when caring for a tarantula at home:

1. Cage Selection and Environment Preparation

It is very important to choose a suitable cage or terrarium for your tarantula. The size of the cage should be appropriate for its species. There should be enough space in the cage and soil, strips or softwood bark can be used as substrate. In addition, water containers should be placed in the cage to regulate humidity.

2. Temperature and Humidity

For tarantulas to live healthily, the temperature and humidity must be at the right levels. Most tarantulas like tropical climates, so the temperature should be kept between 22-28°C. The humidity level should generally be between 60-80%.

3. Nutrition

Tarantulas are carnivorous animals. They mostly feed on insects, small rodents or other spiders. Live food such as crickets, food mice or worms will help your tarantula grow healthily. Adult tarantulas can be fed 1-2 times a week, while young ones should be fed more frequently.

4. Water Need

Tarantulas have a low water requirement. However, clean water should always be available in the cage. The tarantula can drink this water or use it to provide a humid environment.

5. Cleaning

The living space of tarantulas should be cleaned regularly. Excess food, waste and soil dirt in the cage should be cleaned from time to time. However, one point to be careful about is not to change the cage too often so that the tarantulas do not get stressed.

Tarantula Behaviors and Characteristics

Tarantulas are generally nocturnal animals and rest mostly during the day. Tarantulas shed hairs from their hairy abdomen when threatened or when they want to defend themselves. These hairs are used for defense against rivals and can cause itching when they come into contact with the body.

Communicating with a Tarantula

Tarantulas can be calm animals, especially in a home environment. When interacting with them, be gentle and avoid sudden movements. Tarantulas usually discover their prey by touching or sensing vibrations. As a pet, observing them and caring for them calmly will ensure the safety of both the owner and the tarantula.

Tarantula Health and Diseases

Tarantulas are generally healthy animals. However, some diseases and health problems can occur. These problems can occur due to poor environmental conditions, stress, improper nutrition or inadequate care. The most common health problems include fungal infections, wounds, and skin problems caused by excessive humidity or dry air.

If you think your tarantula has any health problems, consulting a veterinarian is the best step.

What to Consider When Buying a Tarantula?

People who want to buy a tarantula should pay attention to a few important points. First, you should decide which species is right for you. If it will be kept in a house with children or with a pet, it will be more appropriate to choose a calm and easy-to-care species. It is also very important that the creatures purchased from reliable pet shops or breeders are healthy and disease-free.

Conclusion

Tarantula care can be very enjoyable with the right knowledge and care. Slow-moving, generally harmless to humans, these giant spiders are among the animals that are suitable for keeping at home. Watching them and observing their natural behavior can be quite educational. Tarantula care requires a careful and responsible approach, but in the right conditions they can live a healthy and long life.

If you decide to keep a tarantula, following the guide above will help you build a healthy relationship with this interesting and fascinating creature.