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Original poster

Tarantula- help newbie

19 replies

Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 06:16

Dd wants a tarantula for their birthday.
What do we need? Bar the enclosure stuff that goes in it and food?
She'll look after it and apparently knows all there is to do but yuck!
Tell me nice things as I hate spiders

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fearfuloffluff · 25/10/2023 06:27

How old is dd? Just because she wants one doesn't mean she should have it - I would not have a tarantula in my house for any money!

You need to research a lot more . Than just posting on here.

tealandteal · 25/10/2023 06:31

Honestly I would consider whether it is the right pet. How long do they live? You could be looking after it when she goes off to uni. Consider if they need heat, what will it eat? I don’t tkniw the answers, my DS has a snake but DH still needs to help him look after it, clean it out etc.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 06:31

She's going to be 15.
We already have millipedes and a centipede. Which she looks after v well
We're going to an invert show next month to get it and so I can ask questions.
I just thought someone on mn will have one. Where I can ask my stupid questions first before the show

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fearfuloffluff · 25/10/2023 07:42

I went to a reptile centre in a zoo thing over the summer, can't remember if it was tarantulas specifically but they said for snakes and other reptiles they can be dull pets - sleep a lot, come out to feed, mainly still, especially by day. And cost a lot to keep the tanks the right temp.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 16:50

I don't think she'll mind it doesn't do much as millipedes aren't exactly cuddly and the centipede can't be touched.

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WASZPy · 25/10/2023 16:59

Does she plan to go to university?? My google says you are looking at 10-30 year lifespan! If you are not happy to look after it, don't do it.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 17:03

She's planning to go to uni and would take it with her. She could have it in her room. She wants to study entomology.

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SerCrispin · 25/10/2023 17:06

I went to an invert show back in February and the guy who wrote this article was there.

www.thetarantulacollective.com/caresheets/tliltocatl-albopilosus

He also does YouTube videos which i'd highly recommend for everything you need.

Depending on the size of tarantula you'd need crickets or locusts and feed one a week normally. I have a few tarantulas so feel free to dm me.

Some are more "docile" species but they're generally not recommended to be handled at all.

WeighDownOnMeStayTillMorning · 25/10/2023 17:16

There was an AMA from someone who owned tarantulas maybe last year, it was lovely and full of really interesting info. Maybe have a look in that section?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 25/10/2023 17:16

Is this Dave, Carrot and Smeagol's owner?

What's she thinking of calling a Spider? Shelob? Ungoliant?

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 17:17

sercrispin thanks for that. I've sent it to her to read. She says baby ones are hard to sex?
We have a pets4home that sells locusts so easy to get hold of
I will definitely pm you with more questions.

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Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 17:18

I am Dave etc grand owner yes

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Mummy08m · 25/10/2023 17:19

I've looked after tarantulas and they were very easy. You get a heat mat that goes under their cage, so not expensive at all unlike pp said. They don't like being handled (they chafe off their back hairs to show this) so generally let them stay in the cage, which needs a little shelter-cave. Fresh water pretty much everyday and live crickets once or twice a week. That's it. Occasionally they shed their shell and you can keep the empty one which is beautiful

Mummy08m · 25/10/2023 17:19

Ps I wasn't the owner, I looked after them for holidays

SerCrispin · 25/10/2023 17:20

Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 17:17

sercrispin thanks for that. I've sent it to her to read. She says baby ones are hard to sex?
We have a pets4home that sells locusts so easy to get hold of
I will definitely pm you with more questions.

Yes you can only sex them from their moults once they reach juvenile (2-3inches) size.
Generally females live 10x as long males.

The baby tarantulas (slings) are quite fragile but it's nice to have them grow up with you.

If you go to the invert show there will be juvenile tarantulas that will have been sexed which is what I did for my first tarantula.

CyberCritical · 25/10/2023 17:20

Just make sure whatever enclosure you get has a well fitting lid, can't imagine you ever want to hear the words 'mum the spider got out!'

My 9yo watches Snake Discovery on YouTube and they've had episodes about their spiders before and how to care for them so might be worth going through their YouTube catalogue and watching those episodes.

SerCrispin · 25/10/2023 17:22

You also don't ever put a heat mat underneath their enclosures as they burrow to get away from heat and you'll cook them. The heat mat (should you need one which you definitely don't in the UK) should go on the wall next to the enclosure.

Mummy08m · 25/10/2023 17:22

SerCrispin · 25/10/2023 17:22

You also don't ever put a heat mat underneath their enclosures as they burrow to get away from heat and you'll cook them. The heat mat (should you need one which you definitely don't in the UK) should go on the wall next to the enclosure.

I was told to put the heat mat under half the cage. It worked fine for my friend and the tarantulas lived for much longer than expected

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/10/2023 17:23

She knows alot about them and keeps trying to show me YouTube videos but as I'm terrified of them I won't watch.

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