| Why does my tarantula sit on the sponge in its water dish? |
| The spider may require more humidity, or may be too warm. Always keep the water dish full and occasionally mist part of the tank. |
| Why does my pet sit curled up in a corner or stand high on its toes? |
| The pet may be too cold, tarantulas require temperatures of around 75 degrees |
| Why does my tarantula sit in the middle of its tank with its legs drawn in and partially under its body? |
| Your pet may be dying, it may be an older one that has lived a full life. Sometimes the tarantula is severely dehydrated or may have a disease or internal parasite. Try placing it on shallow water in a small dish |
| Why do some tarantulas quickly rub their abdomens with their back legs when something moves near them? |
| This is their defence against it enemies, it is kicking or flicking hairs from its abdomen towards the intruder. These hairs act like small barbs that penetrate the attacker's skin in an attempt to get it to break off the attack |
| What size container should I keep my pet in? |
| The cage should be at least twice the length of its body and twice as wide as its width. The height should not be more than twice the length of its leg span, they like to sometimes climb and a fall of a great distance can kill them |
| Does my tarantula need a place to hide? |
| In the wild they conceal themselves in burrows either above or below ground, depending on the species. It is a good idea to provide a hiding place for them in your terrarium |
| What if the tarantula becomes injured? |
| If it becomes injured and you can see fluid escaping from the body, there is little you can do. It will usually take several days for it to die, or several days for it to heal. Alum powder mixed with water can be applied to stop the bleeding after minor injuries, it does not work for severe injuries |
| What if the tarantula is missing a leg or a pedipalp? |
| When a tarantula molts, the leg or palp will be replaced |
| How do I know if my tarantula is getting ready to bite? |
| Some are very quick and you will have no warning. However, most will raise their front legs and pedipalps in a typical warning posture. Their fangs will open and protrude outwards. Some species will tap the intruder with their front legs as a type of warning |
| If a tarantula bites, will it hurt? |
| Their bite is similar to that of a bee sting, a small red mark or bump may occur, but it essentially harmless. Only people who have experienced an allergic reaction to insect or spider bites need to be concerned. |
| There have been reports of people being hospitalised for pain and swelling. Since there is so little known about the effects of tarantula venom on humans, it is best to be cautious when handling your tarantula |
| How do you tell a male from a female? |
| Except for the mature male, it is difficult to tell them apart. Upon maturity, the male's pedipalps are enlarged with bulbs and mating spurs are generally present under the front pair of legs. It takes a lot of training and experience to successfully sex them |
| Can two tarantulas share the same cage? |
| No, they are solitary, cannibalistic predators and would fight and kill one another if given the opportunity |
