If you're considering a pet spider, tarantulas should be high on your list. There are more than 800 tarantula species, though some make better pets than others. The best beginner tarantulas are ground dwellers or burrowers. They tend to have docile personalities and are slow movers. With proper care, many of these animals can live around 10 years or more in captivity. Here are 10 tarantula species that can make fascinating pets.
Tip
Tarantulas can bite, and their bites are venomous. But for most species, the toxicity is similar to that of a bee sting. However, like a bee sting, some people might experience serious allergic reactions to a tarantula bite.
What Do Tarantulas Eat, Why Do They Molt, and Can You Hold Them?Mexican Red-Knee
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The Mexican red-knee is often the first pet for spider enthusiasts. The females can live around 20 to 30 years while the males only live for about 10 years. A 5- to 10-gallon tank is suitable for these tarantulas. And as they're quite docile, they typically are easy to handle.
Species Overview
Length: 5 inches
Weight: 0.5 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Red-orange knees; black body with brown hairs
Chilean Rose
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Also known as the Chilean fire tarantula, this spider is popular for beginner arachnid enthusiasts. The females can live up to 20 years while the males only live around 5 years. A typical burrowing spider, the Chilean rose requires a warm, humid environment and is known to be quite calm.
Species Overview
Length: 4 to 5 inches
Weight: 0.5 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Primarily black to brown; rose-colored hair on upper body
Costa Rican Zebra
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Costa Rican zebras are calm, ground-dwelling tarantulas that can move very fast. They aren't ideal for those who wish to handle their pet spiders. The females can live up to 20 years, with the males at around 5 years. A warm, humid, 5- to 10-gallon tank works for this spider.
Species Overview
Length: 4 to 5 inches
Weight: 0.5 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Black body; deep red hairs; white stripes on legs; orange spinnerets
Mexican Redleg
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Female Mexican redlegs can live up to 30 years while the males live around 5 years. These ground-dwelling spiders are typically docile but are easily startled. The recommended temperature range for this species is 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 29 degrees Celsius) with 65 to 70 percent humidity.
Species Overview
Length: 5 to 6 inches
Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Dark body; pink, red, or orange on second joint of legs; light upper shell with black triangle at front
Honduran Curly Hair
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Also referred to as the curly hair or wooly tarantula, this spider is very hardy, slow-moving, and fast-growing. It is a ground-dwelling spider and only needs a small enclosure, such as a 5- to 10-gallon aquarium. The females can live around 10 years while the males live around 4 years.
Species Overview
Length: 5.5 inches
Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Round body; short, dark bristles; long, golden bristles
Pink Zebra Beauty
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Like many tarantulas, the pink zebra beauty hails from South America and typically has a calm personality. This hardy beginner spider is often confused with a slightly larger species known as the Chaco golden knee. The females can live up to 25 years while the males live around 10 years.
Species Overview
Length: 5 to 6 inches
Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Primarily dark brown; yellow striped markings
Pink Toe
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If you're looking for a tree-dwelling species, consider the pink toe tarantula. It's also referred to as the Guyana pink toe, common pink toe, South American pink toe, and pink-toed tree spider. The females live around 10 years with the males at around 5. This tree-loving spider needs roughly a 10-gallon tank with some height that's outfitted with branches and other items for climbing.
Species Overview
Length: 3.5 to 5 inches
Weight: 0.5 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Primarily black; pink-orange coloring at ends of furry legs
Brazilian Black
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As a velvety black spider with a wide leg span, the Brazilian black tarantula makes for a striking pet. The females of this species can live around 20 years with the males at around 5 years. These spiders will eat about a half dozen crickets each week. They prefer temperatures in the 70s and humidity around 60 percent.
Species Overview
Length: 7 inches
Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Primarily solid black; velvety hair
Mexican Red Rump
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Mexican red rump tarantulas are generally docile and slow-moving. The females live around 15 years with the males at 5 to 6 years. In the wild, these spiders tend to live near other Mexican red rumps. If you are interested in having multiple tarantulas, this might be a good option.
Species Overview
Length: 6 inches
Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Primarily jet black; dark red hairs on abdomen
Desert Blonde
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Although they are slightly more aggressive than many other beginner spiders, Mexican or desert blonde tarantulas still make a good option for people with limited arachnid experience. The females can live up to 30 years while the males have a 5- to 10-year lifespan. The venom from these spiders is mild unless a person is allergic.
Species Overview
Length: 5 to 6 inches
Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Blonde hairs on upper shell and lower legs; black hairs on femurs; brown hairs on abdomen