tarantula's as pets?

Question

I was thinking of getting a tarantula, are they interesting animals to have in the house? They seem interesting but i want to know for sure. Are they as benign as they appear to be? I know the hairs can be shot at an attacking creature, can they be held at all by their owners?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

one more thing, this would be a rose tarantula if that helps.

Answer 1

Any of the Gramastola's, Brachyphelma's or Aphonophelma species whould be ideal beginner pets. They tend to be docile and yes handleable if you choose but I would not try this often, more for the spiders safety than anything else. Rosies are one of the most common beginner spiders and are extreamly rugged as far as it goes. They really only need a couple inches of peat moss in the enclosure and some sort of hide or retreat.Dont worry too much about a fancy water dish, a shallow plastic top from some food container will be excellent fot it and by all means if the chuckle-head at the pet store trys to sell you a sponge for the water dish beat him to death with it, they are a waste of time and nothing but breeding grounds for all types of nasty bacteria. In fact with proper care you will not even need a water dish for this species, they dwell in dessert scrub land. Don't be surprised if it decides to go off feed for a few weeks or months for that matter. These critters can go off feed for over a year with no adverse effects, as long as the abdomen is not shrinking or becomeing emaciated you are fine. Do not buy one that has round bulb's at the ends of the pedipalps(the two short leg looking things in the front) as this indicats a mature male and a short remaining life span. Of course the lack of these does not mean it is a female maybe just not a mature male. These spiders can live for extreamly long periods of time with proper care(20+ years) Tarantula's can become addicting with all of the color variations out there so go, buy the rosie and "WECOME TO YOUR NEWEST ADDICTION"

Answer 2

Only if you're SURE it's the kind of pet you want. Do research on them to find everything you want to know. Don't trust the pet store dude to know about tarantulas (especially if he's got headphones on and just seems to be nodding at everything you say). As for the holding them thing, yes they can be held but justbe careful not to hold it TOO often and also make sure it doesn't crawl off or it could injure itself if it falls and also end up loose in the house somewhere. Those hairs really are really itchy, and if they get in a person's eyes it can be a really bad thing that requires a dctor so be careful not to annoy it. Chilean rose tarantulas (I assume it's this kind) are considered calm, slow-moving, and inexpensive enough for a beginner though, so these are a good choice. Good luck and I wish you the best! :)

Answer 3

jointly as my concern of spiders became into by no ability that popular(i did no longer like them on me, and so on), I have been given a Chilean Rose approximately 2 years in the past to do away with the phobia thoroughly. It labored, because it incredibly is stressful to be petrified of a few thing you maintain as a puppy(a minimum of for me). There are some incredibly sturdy beginner tarantulas. the justifications evaluations fluctuate is by the fact the beginner spiders are with reference to an identical in care and temperament clever. beginner tarantulas are for beginners because of the fact they are calm, docile, hardy and non aggressive. the appropriate beginners are often the floor dwellers. some sturdy beginners are Chilean Rose, Pinktoe, and Curly Hair. The Chilean Rose is between the least confusing tarantulas to maintain and defiantly stated as a starter. you're able to stay remote from the African and Asia breeds of spiders as they have a bent to be aggressive, rapid and stressful to maintain. some spider will chew(even the docile ones), its the prospect of puppy possession, be it a spider, or a canine or a chicken. The chew of a tarantula isn't deadly(equivalent to a bee sting), maximum keepers are greater in touch with reference to the flicking of hairs, than biting. in case you do get a spider, do no longer guard it till you're thoroughly delicate. dropping a spider(greater desirable than two times its physique length) can chop up the exoskeleton and kill it. Spiders do no longer could be dealt with and can be enjoyed for their elegance and forte. that's usually stated to no longer guard spiders considering the fact that they are so mushy, and can be quite killed by ability of a fall.

Answer 4

Good pets.. don't have to potty train them.. or worry about them starving if your gone a day or two.. We caught ours.. (live in Ca) and had them for about 4 years.. I let them go in the same area we caught it.. Actually we got it out of a hole is the side of the hill during mating season.. I would assume it was female.. Lived a long time. Let it go in the same area same time of year. My son would pick it up all the time.. he was only 9 then. Rose Tarantula's are nice looking. .about 20.00 in the stores here.. woops.. failed to mention.. don't put two in the same cage.. If yo have a male and a female. .She will eat him.. we had that happen with one of our other ones..

Answer 5

We have a Chilean Rose haired Tarantula named Rosie & I love her!!! Ours has never bitten & gets handled once a week, They are very pretty to me (others might disagree!!!) Those hairs REALLY itch so try not to tick her/him off but otherwise they are great pets!!!

Answer 6

they do make interesting pets but i wouldn't advise handeling until you find out how potent the breeds venom is. the hairs can actually cause an allergic reaction in some people. you'll have to be very careful holding it to they will die if they fall and not jump by themselves. also if it does jump they are extremely quick and hard to catch.

Answer 7

tarantula's are actually fine pets...they're fun to play with and can be very entertaining...although...not many people feel the same way you and i may...they get grossed out and refuse to be near one..but i think you should go for it!
Good Luck!

Answer 8

I don't think that you really want such an arachnid as a pet.