Tarantula Care & Natural History: Useful Facts for Spider Keepers

[findiviglio]

Hi All,
Over 900 of the world’s 40,000+ spider species are commonly known as tarantulas (family Theraphosidae). Among them we find a staggering diversity of sizes, colors, and lifestyles, and many species that make interesting, long-lived pets. In the early 1980’s, I had the chance to work with the huge collection of a long-time friend, now a noted arachnologist. Several species in that collection were (and remain) little known in the hobby or zoos.

Today, a wide variety of pet tarantulas, including such long-time favorites as the Mexican Red Leg (Brachypelma), Chilean Rose-Haired (Grammostola), Pink Toed (Avicularia) and the massive Goliath Bird-eating Tarantula (Theraphosa blondii), are now regularly bred by hobbyists. The key to success with tarantulas is an understanding of their lives in the wild. Following is an overview; please remember that tarantulas are an extraordinarily diverse group, so details will vary. Please post below for information on individual species.

Read the rest of this article here: Tarantula Care and Habits - Useful Facts for those with Pet Tarantulas

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My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank Indiviglio

[Truffs1178]

Cool. Nice thread. Brachypelma Smithi and Theraphosa Blondi are my faves.

[Striped marsh]

Once again great information, unfortunately I don't think I would ever be able to keep spiders as every now and then a huntsman appears out of nowhere and scares the daylight out of me!

[findiviglio]

Once again great information, unfortunately I don't think I would ever be able to keep spiders as every now and then a huntsman appears out of nowhere and scares the daylight out of me!

Huntsman are un-nerving, that's for sure. heterapoda venaturia is established in 1 building at the Bx Zoo, I collect and breed...but carefully! Recently collected a huge female Fishing Spider (Dolomedes sp)...just as fast as huntsman, and bigger! Best, Frank

[findiviglio]

Cool. Nice thread. Brachypelma Smithi and Theraphosa Blondi are my faves.

Much appreciated!