Tarantulas

Start in Spice 1 or 2. New World terrestrials like the Arizona Blonde (Aphonopelma chalcodes) and climbers like the Guyana Pink Toe (Avicularia avicularia) forgive the mistakes a first keeper makes. Our Best Beginner Tarantulas post walks through ten of them, and the Spice System page explains the ratings.

We do not recommend handling any tarantula, whatever its Spice level. New World species flick urticating hairs that itch for days and can hurt your eyes. Old World species bite instead, and the bite is painful. A catch cup and long tongs cover every rehouse and feeding. Tarantulas are display animals: fascinating to keep, not to hold.

It depends on how the species lives, which is why every animal page shows its Habitat Match. Terrestrial and fossorial tarantulas want floor space and deep substrate in a Burrow Buddy or terrestrial box, with a low fall height for the heavy-bodied species. Arboreal species want height, a cork slab and anchor points in a Bark Buddy. Slings start small in a Baby Buddy, where they can find food, and move up as they molt.

Live animals ship Monday through Wednesday on FedEx Overnight, packed for the weather, and the Live Arrival Guarantee covers every overnight order: photograph the unopened box and the animal in its packaging and email us within 2 hours of the delivery scan, and we replace the animal or credit its price. FedEx 2Day is offered only with a signed waiver and carries no guarantee. Phoenix pickup is free.