What's the weekly schedule for taking care of my tarantula?
Maintain your tarantula's health with a consistent weekly routine, including daily checks and monthly enclosure maintenance.
Daily Routine
Start your day by checking the temperature inside your tarantula's enclosure. Aim for a range of 72–82°F (22–28°C). Use a digital thermometer to ensure accuracy. Next, observe your tarantula for any signs of stress or illness. Look for changes in behavior or appearance. Spend about 5 minutes on this daily check.
Feeding time is next. Offer your tarantula a variety of insects, such as crickets or mealworms. Provide 2–3 insects per feeding. Make sure they are the appropriate size for your tarantula's legspan. After feeding, clean up any uneaten food to maintain a hygienic environment.
End your daily routine with a quick visual inspection of the enclosure. Check for any signs of mold or rotting food. Spend about 10 minutes on this task.
- Check temperature for 5 minutes
- Observe tarantula for 5 minutes
- Feed insects for 5 minutes
- Clean up uneaten food for 5 minutes
- Inspect enclosure for 10 minutes
Weekly Routine
Once a week, perform a thorough cleaning of the enclosure. Remove all the substrate and wash the enclosure with a mild soap and water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Allow the enclosure to dry completely before replacing the substrate.
Replace the substrate with fresh, dry substrate. Use a substrate that is appropriate for your tarantula's species and size. For example, coconut fiber or peat moss are common choices. Aim for a depth of 4–6 inches.
Check the humidity level in the enclosure. Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity. Adjust the humidity as needed to maintain the appropriate range for your tarantula's species.
- Thoroughly clean enclosure once a week
- Replace substrate with fresh material once a week
- Check humidity with a hygrometer once a week
Monthly Routine
Monthly, inspect the enclosure for any signs of damage or wear. Look for cracks in the enclosure or any loose parts. Repair or replace any damaged items to ensure the safety of your tarantula.
Check the water dish for cleanliness. Clean the water dish with soap and water, then rinse thoroughly. Refill the water dish with fresh, clean water.
Inspect the tarantula for any signs of injury or illness. Look for changes in behavior or appearance. If you notice anything unusual, consult a veterinarian experienced with reptiles.
- Inspect enclosure for damage once a month
- Clean water dish once a month
- Inspect tarantula for health once a month
What to Skip on Busy Days
If you're short on time, you can skip the daily feeding on a busy day. However, make sure to provide fresh water in the enclosure. This is essential for your tarantula's hydration.
If you can't perform the weekly cleaning, at least spot clean any visible messes. This helps maintain a clean environment without the need for a full cleaning.
On a particularly busy day, you can skip the monthly health check. However, make sure to keep an eye on your tarantula for any signs of illness or stress.
- Skip daily feeding on busy days
- Spot clean enclosure on busy days
- Skip monthly health check on busy days
Daily Checks to Catch Problems Early
Daily, check the temperature inside the enclosure. Any fluctuations outside the 72–82°F (22–28°C) range can be a sign of stress or illness.
Observe your tarantula's behavior. A change in behavior, such as hiding more than usual, can indicate discomfort or illness.
Inspect the enclosure for any signs of mold or rotting food. These can lead to health issues for your tarantula.
Check the water dish for cleanliness. A dirty water dish can lead to infections.
Feel the substrate. If it's too damp, it can lead to mold growth and health problems for your tarantula.
- Check temperature daily
- Observe behavior daily
- Inspect for mold or rotting food daily
- Check water dish daily
- Feel substrate daily
Keep reading about Tarantula: Tarantula care sheet
Related questions
How often should I clean my tarantula's enclosure?
You should thoroughly clean the enclosure 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 check the humidity in the enclosure?
Check the humidity once a week to ensure it's within the appropriate range for your tarantula's species.
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.