Reptiles · Care guide
Tarantula care guide
Terrestrial or arboreal; dry substrate, no handling needed. Core husbandry follows the same pattern as the leopard gecko — with the differences called out below.
Quick facts
- tempF
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- humidity
- Varies by species, 40–80%
- lifespan
- 10–30 years (females)
- adultSize
- 4–10 inch legspan
- diet
- Insectivore
How to keep a Tarantula
The daily work — feeding, cleaning, handling and routine — follows the leopard gecko pattern:
- A 20 gallon long is the accepted minimum for one adult; a 40 gallon breeder gives a much better temperature gradient.
- Three hides are the standard: warm, cool, and a humid hide in the middle kept damp with moss or paper towel for shedding.
- Feeding: Juveniles daily; sub-adults every other day; adults 2–3 times a week.
- Spot-clean daily — geckos usually use one corner.
- Replace the humid hide substrate weekly.
- Let the gecko walk onto your hand rather than grabbing from above.
- Never lift or restrain by the tail — they can drop it and it will not grow back the same.
Life stages
Juvenile (0–6 months)
Feeds daily, grows fast, needs a humid hide available from day one.
Sub-adult (6–12 months)
Feeding every other day; adult colours develop.
Adult (12 months+)
Feeds 2–3 times a week; males housed alone, females can sometimes be kept in groups with caution.
Setup checklist
- 20 gallon long (or larger) enclosure
- Thermostat-controlled heat mat
- Three hides including a humid hide
- Digital thermometers at both ends
- Safe substrate (tile, paper towel, or soil/clay mix)
- Shallow water dish
- Calcium powder and a feeder insect tub
Not veterinary advice. Husbandry guidance only — if your tarantula is unwell, injured or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.
Guides for Tarantula
Guides for this pet are in the daily generation queue and appear here automatically.