How much does a pet tarantula cost
Introduction
When it comes to pets, tarantulas may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Sure, tarantulas are misunderstood. They’re actually pretty gentle, and they have unique personalities that their owners get to know over the years! But if you’re thinking about adopting a spider for your next pet, it’s important to understand what you’ll need to budget for. In this article we’ll go over how much pet tarantulas cost and everything else you’ll need to care for your new eight-legged friend. By the end of this piece, you should know exactly how much having a tarantula will cost you as well as all the supplies you’ll need before bringing home your newest family member—and don’t worry: we’ve got plenty of money-saving tips too!
Tarantula price per species
Tarantulas are one of the most popular and long-lived pets. They come in a wide range of sizes and species, which makes it difficult to determine their price. The cost can range from $10 to $500, depending on the size and species you want.
Here’s a brief rundown of what you can expect when buying your first tarantula:
- Smaller tarantulas are less expensive than larger ones; you’ll pay more for large spiders than small ones. The cost varies widely based on where you purchase your animal.
- Tarantula prices also depend on their age—the younger they are, the cheaper they tend to be (but don’t worry: older tarantulas have just as much personality).
What else you need to buy to care for the tarantula
You’ll need to buy several other items to care for your tarantula. These include:
- A spider cage. The cage should be large enough for your spider to move around in and should have a locking lid with air holes on the top and bottom.
- Spider food. You can feed your tarantula meal worms, crickets or waxworms, but make sure you get them from a pet store rather than from outside where they could harbor parasites or disease.
- Spider water bowl. Tarantulas need fresh water every day—a shallow bowl is fine if it has smooth sides so the little guy can climb out easily if he falls in while sleeping at night! A sponge filter will also help keep debris out of the tank since these lizards tend not clean up after themselves like cats do (ew).
If you’re unsure what type of substrate might be best suited for your new buddy’s needs (and don’t want him pooping all over everything), check out this article by “The Spruce.”
Housing
Your new pet will require a cage. The size of the cage, material it’s made from, and accessories you provide all depend on whether your tarantula is kept in a terrestrial habitat or an arboreal one.
Terrestrial habitats are small plastic containers with air holes at the top and bottom; they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. An arboreal habitat consists of large plastic containers with many branch-like structures for your spider to climb on; these also come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on what kind of tarantula you’re looking after (some arboreal habitats can be quite large).
If you choose to go the terrestrial route, then you’ll need some substrate (substance) for your spider to burrow into; this can be either sand or peat moss mixed with vermiculite—or even just play sand alone if that’s all you have access to! Once again though: don’t use earthworms as bedding material! They’ll live under there! That’s where they’ve been hiding since last night anyway…
Food and water
You may be asking yourself, “What does a pet tarantula eat?” The answer is simple: it depends on what species you have. Tarantulas range from small to large and typically vary in diet as well. There are many foods that can be offered to your pet tarantula, but the most common include crickets, moth larvae (worms), mealworms, silkworms and other insects. In addition to these options there are also sprouted beans and vegetables, fruit juices (like orange juice) and honey. Eggs can also be offered as well as wax worms or even butterflies!
While these items will provide your spider with proper nutrition they are not enough on their own. It is important that you do research into what your particular pet needs based on its species. For example some tarantulas eat more meat than others so if yours falls into this category then you’ll need something like cat food for instance instead of just regular carrots or apples which would likely cause dehydration over time due to lack of protein content within them.”
Special needs for different species
Depending on the species you choose, you’ll have to factor in a few other considerations:
- Space. Some tarantulas need more space than others. While most are fine living in a 10-gallon fish tank or terrarium, some species require significantly more room than that.
- Heat and humidity. Most tarantulas can tolerate low-humidity environments, but some require more moisture than others. And while most will do fine at room temperature, others need heat lamps or temperature regulators to keep warm enough during winter months.
- Food and water requirements vary by species as well (and even within species).
Find a tarantula that suits your budget and fits your lifestyle.
For a first-time tarantula owner, it’s important to find a spider that suits your budget and fits your lifestyle. Tarantulas come in all different sizes, colors and types. Some are more expensive than others depending on their characteristics and lineage.
You can expect to pay between $30 and $100 for an adult tarantula that has been bred at home or imported from another country (like the Philippines). This will be a good starting point if you’re just beginning this hobby but remember that these prices do not include a cage or any other types of supplies needed for caring for your pet spider.
Conclusion
Keeping tarantulas can be a fun and rewarding experience. They are fascinating to watch, and they can live for many years. If you enjoy the idea of having a pet spider, check out some local pet shops to see if you can find the perfect fit for your home.