Do Tarantulas make good pets?
Tarantulas are not for everyone, but they do make good pets when their needs are understood. Despite their bad reputation, these 8-legged arachnids are not as dangerous as they appear. That is not to say they cannot bite a human or inflict damage; all tarantulas are capable of inflicting a bite.
However, it is unlikely that a bite will cause any serious damage or injury to a human. Tarantula bites do not cause necrosis, which is associated with spider bites. Tarantula bites usually feel like a bee sting and may cause swelling for a few days.
Are tarantulas friendly to humans?
The tarantula is not a friendly pet. Most of these creatures barely tolerate being handled, let alone handle well. However, there are some species that seem to be more tolerant of handling and make better pets than others.
Tarantulas are not social animals like dogs or cats. They do not want to play with you, nor do they need any sort of affection from their owners. They are solitary creatures that live alone without the need for interaction with other individuals.
Most tarantulas will try to escape if given the opportunity — they even have urticating hairs that they can flick at their „handlers” as a defense mechanism! Tarantulas do not recognize humans as friends; in fact, they may see people as predators trying to eat them!
Is it weird to have a Pet Tarantula?
There is no such thing as a weird pet, just some pets are more challenging to care for than others. Tarantulas are not for everyone, but if you want one as a pet then there is nothing wrong with that.
It’s much like keeping any other animal as a pet, you have to research and make sure that it’s the right pet for you. You must be willing to provide the right environment and proper care to have it healthy and happy.
If you’re not capable of providing that or don’t have time to do so, then you shouldn’t get one. You wouldn’t keep an elephant in your bathroom or a fish in your treehouse, tarantulas need their own specific environments as well.
Can You Bond with a Pet Tarantula?
Unfortunately, NO. Tarantulas do not develop any form of bonds with their owners. That’s because they are known to be very solitary animals that keep to themselves. In fact, the only time they may interact is during mating season.
Even then, though, it is possible for a male tarantula to get eaten by the female after mating. Tarantulas are not pets that you can cuddle with or play fetch with, but they are unique and captivating creatures.
Keeping a tarantula is not difficult, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, it’s important to understand that they are venomous. While the venom is not particularly dangerous, it can still hurt and cause allergic reactions.
Secondly, you will need to know what species you have so that you can provide it with proper care Lastly, remember that tarantulas are predators, so they may not be friendly towards other pets.
Pet Tarantula Pros and Cons?
If you are considering adopting a pet tarantula, be sure to do your research before making a purchase. Here are some of the pros and cons of owning one
Pros
- They are exotic, and you can be cool for having one.
- Their venom is not dangerous to humans.
- They are low maintenance pets. They don’t need you to feed them every day, or take them for a walk. You can just set up an enclosure, and leave it alone for weeks at a time.
- They have a long lifespan so they can be pets for many years.
Cons
- They are exotic animals, which means they aren’t native to the country where you live. This might make it hard to find pet stores that sell them, or get a vet who has experience with treating tarantulas.
- Experts say that tarantulas aren’t the best pets for kids because their venom is toxic enough that if it gets in your eye or mouth, it will cause pain and swelling.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Tarantulas are fascinating pets with a lot of unique characteristics and quirks.
But they are not for everyone, and they do come with some health risks (including allergies and venom).
As long as you keep this in mind, and are prepared to care for your tarantula properly, then yes—they can make good pets.
Sources:
https://animals.mom.com/tarantulas-used-owners-scent-11636.html
: https://blogs.cornell.edu/spiders/tarantulas-terrible-or-terrific/
Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture.
