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Tarantula Keeping 101
22
items A quick guide to things to consider when planning to get your first tarantula. Not an exhaustive list by far, and you will want to look at specific guides for your species.
Sections
3
Gear and Setup
Feeders
Beginner Ts & Breeders
Gear and Setup
Some of the basics you'll need before getting your first T. Its a good idea to have most of the basics before getting your first animal. I will say I do usually wait to set up the enclosure until I actually have the tarantula just because I have been...
Feeding tongues are a must, especially for those Ts with aggressive feeding responses. Though when slings are smaller and so are their food I do use normal tweezers for this.
VILA Snake & Bearded Dragon Stainless Steel Reptile ...
I love these for slings because they have dividers so you don't have to do a complete rehouse as the T grows.
Ezy Storage Tall 4-Compartment Storage Box
While I wouldn't use these as a final setup for adults, they can work well for less picky slings.
EXO TERRA Faunarium Terrarium
The peak of tarantula enclosures. This things are very nice.
Tarantula Cribs
Great for setting up a bioactive enclosure.
The Bio Dude
I use this mixed with sphagnum moss (dye free) and some sanitized top soil for my Ts substrate.
Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Reptile Substrate
This is key, its a great guide. You can also find guides on how to sanitize sticks and leaf litter on Youtube.
How to Sanitize Top Soil for a Reptile Enclosure
Tattoo ink cups are great options for providing slings with a water dish.
Disposable Tattoo Ink Cups Mixed Sizes 9 13 16 Plastic Ink Caps
I use these as an easy water dish for my larger Ts.
Eastland Tealight Candle Holder Set of 12
Feeders
There are a lot of great options based on the size of your Ts. As a rule of thumb you want to make sure feeders aren't bigger than ⅓ your Ts size. Also remember to remove uneaten food with 48 hours.
I usually just stop by my local pet store. However, if you need to have them shipped Flukers is an excellent option.
FLUKER'S Live Crickets Reptile Food, Large, 100 count
Good to slings and jumpers, though they can be a pain to deal with. You can shake some out and put them in the freezer to make it a little easier to use them. Tbh though I prefer to get pinhead crickets if available.
JOSH'S FROGS Producing Wingless Drosophila ...
Fruit fly cultures can go bad quickly, so having the ability to make new at home is a must.
Hydei Fruit Fly Culture Kit with Supplement (makes 20- 32 oz Fruit Fly Cultures)
Mealworms can be great, but the fact that they burrow can be super annoying.
PREDATOR FOODS Live Mealworms, Medium, 500 count
Also called tomato worms these are a great feeder for larger Ts.
Hornworm Habitat Cup (25 count cup)
Beginner Ts & Breeders
Please keep in mind that while New World tarantulas don't have medically significant venom, they do have urticating hairs. Also allergies can still exhist and cause worse reactions for some people. Tarantulas are wild animals, their is always a risk when handling. I don't handle my Ts except for care reasons, such as rehousing. Even though these species are beginner friendly it doesn't mean that they will not bite or kick hairs. Please do additional research before deciding if one of these species is right for you.
Often called the black lab of tarantulas these guys are recommended for beginners because they are hardy and not very flighty.
Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra or quirogai ) Care Guide
Another great option for beginners. These guys have some gorgeous colors, which honestly can be kind of rare for good beginner species.
Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula (Grammostola pulchripes) Care & Husbandry
The species that made me want to get into tarantula keeping. I currently have one named Jack. One of the few dwarf species that can be suitable for beginners.
Hapalopus sp. Colombia Large "Pumpkin Patch" Care
My very first tarantula! These are great beginner species. They are sooo hardy. I made so many mistakes, but my Bob and Ross were very forgiving and are still kicking.
Curly Hair Tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus) Care Guide
The first order I ever did by mail. They have excellent customer service. You can also buy kits that come with everything you will need for your slings first 30 days.
Fear Not Tarantulas, Inc.
An awesome all around resource for care guides, general knowledge and online vendor reviews.
The Tarantula Collective
A great breeder with a wide selection. I prefer to shop from local breeders or expos, but if you are looking for something specific a trusted online vendor is a great option.
Fangztv
Another beginner species with great colors. I don't have one of these yet, but they are defiantly on my list of species to get.
Brachypelma smithi "Mexican Red Knee" Rehouse and Care