The Quick and Easy Way to Set Up a Tarantula Terrarium

If you’re looking to bring home a tarantula, you probably want to set up its habitat correctly, right? After all, you don’t want to look like a newb at keeping an invertebrate.

No worries. You don’t have to go through all the amateur mistakes with trial and error because you have experts from The Tye-Dyed Iguana at your side.

This article will get you started with your new tarantula, and you can stop in at our exotic pet store in Fairview Heights any Monday through Saturday from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M., or Sunday from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M. to get information specific to the species you keep.

Here’s the quick and easy way to set up a terrarium for a tarantula…

First, pick out a tank

You’re going to need some kind of terrarium to keep your tarantula in. For this type of pet, you don’t need anything too large. In fact, many invertebrates are perfect for nano terrariums. As with any advice, though, it depends on the particular species you have and what its size and habits are.

In general, tarantulas are happy in small spaces. For terrestrial species, look for a tank that is wider than it is tall, so the spider has room to crawl on the ground area. Arboreal species, on the other hand, do better in a terrarium that is taller than it is wide, so that they can climb.

Your spider isn’t going to be too picky about what the tank looks like, but there are some things you may want to consider:

• Does the lid open easily?
• Does the lid stay securely latched?
• Can I see the tarantula easily?

Small fish aquariums work just fine. Or you can purchase the newer style of terrariums that have a front opening door that makes it easy to take out the tarantula for handling.

The Zoo Med Creature Den Low Profile Start Kit is perfect for terrestrial species and comes with thermometers, décor, and substrate to help you set up the habitat quickly.

For arboreal species, Zoo Med also makes the Creature Habitat Kit that comes with the same starter items for setup.

Second, select a location

This is pretty simple. You want to make sure your tarantula’s tank is located in an area that maintains a comfortable temperature. Anywhere between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit works, so in most cases, room temperature will be safe for them.

The 2 big mistakes when it comes to location are:

1. Putting the tarantula terrarium in a sunny window that quickly raises the terrarium’s temperature.
2. Or putting the terrarium in a cold room, like a basement, that does not get heated.

Third, add substrate and appropriate décor

Whichever kind of tarantula you select, it will need substrate in the bottom of its tank. This allows the spider to walk and burrow, and to excrete waste in a place you can easily scoop it out. Different keepers prefer different substrates, but Zoo Med Creature Soil is a good blend for most invertebrates.

You’ll also want to add some functional décor items. Ground-dwelling species should have places to hide, like hollow logs made from natural cork, or just rounded pieces of bark. And arboreal species will need branches or something similar to climb. The Cholla Branch is a washable option that glows in the dark.

Regardless of species, you should also add a small water dish with shallow water. Then your tarantula tank is all set up.

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Diedra Blackmill is head copywriter and content marketer at Telepath Writing Services. She specializes in writing blog articles, newsletters, and scripts that generate more revenue for businesses. Hire Diedra for your online content.