Tarantulas live in most warm climates throughout the world. They have a fairly long life span, a few have lived in captivity for nearly 30 years. They are often falsely accused of being dangerous, if one does bite a human, the reaction would be similar to that of a bee sting. Certain species have been found to have a potent poison, however they seem to lack the ability to deliver it, at least to humans.

Tarantulas require a minimum of maintenance and they are inexpensive to keep. The tank they are kept in should be large enough for them to turn over when they are preparing to molt. The base should be at least twice as wide as the tarantula and twice as long. The height should not be taller than twice its leg span, they do climb occasionally and falling on a sharp object could tear the thin membrane on its abdomen.

If you have a burrow-dwelling species, then something should be placed in the cage so they can hide under it.

Although some tarantulas can survive for long periods of time without food and water, this should not happen in captivity. They should have a constant supply if they are to remain healthy.

Crickets, beetles, moths, grasshoppers or insect larvae are all good sources of food. Large mealworms, small mice, frogs and lizards can be used as food as well. If you offer your tarantula prey and it does not appear to be interested in eating it, remove it and try to feed it again the next day. If it moves away from the insect or throws hairs at it, then it is best to remove the insect. Tarantulas have reasons for not eating, such as they may be approaching a molt or they are not hungry. Sometimes they will not eat for a few months, when you feed your spider on a regular basis, you will become familiar with its habits.

Most tarantulas need a temperature of about 70 to 75 degrees, they sense when it is cold better than we would. They will sometimes raise their body from the ground when the gravel gets too hot or cold.

Tarantulas must shed their exoskeleton in order to grow and maintain their physiological systems. Females carry on molting every year after becoming adult, but do not necessarily continue to grow. The first two years after hatching from eggs they may shed several times. For the next two years they may molt three or four times. At around five or six years of age, they usually begin their annual molting routine and will molt at around the same time every year.

Most tarantulas will stop eating two to three weeks before they shed their skin. At this time they require a lot of water. A few days before the molt, their exposed abdominal skin will darken. They should not be handled at this time as they are extremely soft and delicate and may die if moved.