What is the daily routine for a tarantula's enclosure?
Follow this 10-minute daily routine to keep your tarantula healthy and happy.
Daily Routine
Start your day by checking the enclosure for any signs of distress. Look for webbing issues, missing limbs, or unusual behavior. Spend about 2 minutes on this.
Next, ensure the temperature is within the ideal range of 72–82°F (22–28°C). Use a digital thermometer to measure the temperature at the tarantula's level. Take 1 minute for this.
Check the humidity level, which should be between 40–80% depending on your tarantula's species. Use a hygrometer for accuracy. This step takes about 1 minute.
- Inspect the enclosure for any signs of distress.
- Measure the temperature at the tarantula's level.
- Check the humidity level with a hygrometer.
Weekly Routine
Once a week, clean the enclosure by removing any uneaten food and waste. Use a 10% bleach solution to sanitize the enclosure, then rinse thoroughly. Allow it to dry completely before returning the tarantula. This process takes about 30 minutes.
Replace the substrate every 2–3 weeks. Remove the old substrate and replace it with 2–3 inches of fresh, dry substrate. This step takes about 15 minutes.
Inspect the enclosure for any signs of mold or mildew. Clean any affected areas with a mild detergent and water. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Clean the enclosure with a 10% bleach solution and rinse thoroughly.
- Replace the substrate every 2–3 weeks.
- Inspect for mold or mildew and clean affected areas.
Monthly Routine
Monthly, check the enclosure for any signs of structural damage. Look for loose or broken branches, rocks, or hiding spots. Repair or replace any damaged items. This should take about 10 minutes.
Evaluate the tarantula's growth and adjust the enclosure size if necessary. If the tarantula has outgrown its current enclosure, plan to upgrade to a larger one. This step takes about 5 minutes.
Review the tarantula's behavior and health. Look for any changes in eating habits, activity levels, or appearance. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Check for structural damage and repair or replace as needed.
- Evaluate growth and adjust enclosure size if necessary.
- Review behavior and health.
What to Skip on Busy Days
On particularly busy days, you can skip the daily temperature and humidity checks if you have a reliable monitoring system in place. However, always visually inspect the tarantula for signs of distress.
If you're short on time, you can clean the enclosure every 2 weeks instead of weekly. Just ensure the tarantula's living space remains clean and free of waste.
If you're in a rush, you can forgo the monthly structural check if everything seems to be in good condition. However, make it a priority to check the enclosure's integrity at least every 3 months.
- Skip daily temperature and humidity checks if using a monitoring system.
- Clean the enclosure every 2 weeks instead of weekly.
- Skip monthly structural check if everything seems fine, but do it at least every 3 months.
Daily Checks to Catch Problems Early
Every day, look for any changes in the tarantula's behavior. A sudden decrease in activity or hiding more than usual could be a sign of illness or stress.
Check the tarantula's feeding dish for uneaten food. If it's not eaten within 24 hours, it may be a sign that the tarantula is not feeling well.
Inspect the enclosure for any signs of mold or mildew, which can be harmful to your pet. If you notice any, clean the affected areas immediately.
- Look for changes in behavior, such as decreased activity or increased hiding.
- Check the feeding dish for uneaten food and remove it if not eaten within 24 hours.
- Inspect for mold or mildew and clean affected areas immediately.
Keep reading about Tarantula: Tarantula care sheet
Related questions
How often should I clean my tarantula's enclosure?
Clean the enclosure with a 10% bleach solution and rinse thoroughly once a week.
What temperature should my tarantula's enclosure be?
The ideal temperature range is 72–82°F (22–28°C).
How often should I replace the substrate in my tarantula's enclosure?
Replace the substrate every 2–3 weeks.
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your tarantula is injured, off food unusually long, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.