Could eight hairy legs crawling across your hand be worth thousands of dollars?
In the booming exotic pet industry, tarantulas have transformed from feared creatures to prized investments.
These remarkable arachnids now command a $100 million global market, with rare specimens selling for up to $900 each.
This guide reveals how anyone can successfully breed, sell, and profit from the fascinating world of captive-bred tarantulas.
Investing in beginner-friendly tarantula species for breeding can help newcomers enter the lucrative tarantula market.
What You Need to Know About the Tarantula Market
The captive breeding of tarantulas has grown into a big business. Each year, people spend about $9.4 billion on exotic pets. Tarantulas make up about $75-100 million of this market.
I remember when my first Brachypelma laid eggs – I was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning! Now I understand why this hobby pulls people in like flies to a web.
Rick West, a well-known tarantula expert, says: “The demand for captive-bred tarantulas has grown by more than 200% in the last decade as more people learn about these amazing creatures.”
Trust me, once you sell your first batch of spiderlings, you’ll be hooked faster than a cricket in a feeding cup!
Legal Rules You Must Follow
Before you start selling tarantulas, you need to know the laws. Many tarantula species are protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
Let me tell you, nothing makes your heart drop faster than realizing you’ve accidentally broken a wildlife law! Been there, learned that lesson the hard way.
Protected species include:
- All Brachypelma types (22 species)
- All Poecilotheria types
- Some Aphonopelma types
You cannot ship tarantulas to these places:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Hawaii
- Iceland
According to USFWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) reports, 87% of international sales need export permits.
As my old mentor used to say, “In the tarantula trade, do your homework or stay home!” Wise words I still follow to this day.
Setting Up Your Spider Breeding Business
Starting a tarantula breeding business costs money:
- Hobby level: $2,000-$5,000
- Commercial level: $15,000-$30,000
My first setup was smaller than a bread box – just three plastic containers on my desk! Now my “spider room” has taken over half my basement. My wife jokes that the spiders will evict us next!
You’ll need:
- Breeding tanks
- Heat mats
- Humidity controls
- Food supply (crickets, roaches)
- Record keeping system
A member of the American Tarantula Society shares: “I started with just three pairs of Brachypelma smithi. After two years, I had over 200 spiderlings to sell, which paid back my starting costs.”
That mirrors my experience too! Though explaining to the delivery person why I need so many crickets each month still leads to some funny conversations.
Best Ways to Breed Tarantulas
Not all breeding tries work out. The Tarantula Keeper’s Guide shows these success rates:
- Experts: 65-75% success
- Beginners: 20-30% success
My first breeding attempt was about as successful as teaching a cat to swim! But with practice, my success rate now hovers around 70%. It’s all about patience and learning from each molt.
Each species lays different numbers of eggs:
| Spider Type | Number of Eggs |
|---|---|
| Brachypelma | 200-400 |
| Poecilotheria | 100-140 |
| Avicularia | 80-120 |
For best results, you should:
- Learn proper spider molt verification
- Master tarantula sexing techniques
- Keep perfect breeding records
- Create the right conditions for each species
I keep a digital “spider diary” for each breeding project. Call me a spider nerd, but those notes have saved me from repeating the same mistakes!
Selling Your Spiders
Most people sell tarantulas in these places:
- Online forums (42%) like Arachnoboards
- Facebook groups (28%)
- Personal websites (15%)
- Reptile and exotic pet shows (10%)
- Pet stores (5%)
My first reptile show was eye-opening! I sold out faster than concert tickets to a Taylor Swift show. Now I prepare for months before each expo.
The average price for:
- Common spiderlings: $25-$75
- Rare spiderlings: $100-$800
- Adult female Poecilotheria metallica: $500-$900
A successful seller on FaunaClassifieds says: “Good photos and honest descriptions build trust. I always include clear molt history and feeding records with every spider I sell.”
That’s solid gold advice! In this business, your reputation needs to be cleaner than a freshly molted tarantula.
Shipping Your Tarantulas
Proper shipping is key to happy customers. You must:
- Check the weather (no shipping below 40°F or above 85°F)
- Use the right boxes and packing
- Add heat or cold packs when needed
- Include care sheets
- Offer a live arrival guarantee
I once tracked a package of precious spiderlings like a hawk watching its prey! The relief when the buyer messages “all arrived safely” is worth every worry line.
A study in the Journal of Invertebrate Husbandry found that well-packed tarantulas have a 98% survival rate during shipping.
With the recent postal delays making headlines in 2024, I’ve started using more premium shipping services. Better safe than sorry when eight tiny legs are counting on you!
Making Money from Tarantula Breeding
The profit margins for selling captive-bred tarantulas are good:
- Common species: 40-60% profit
- Rare species: 70-85% profit
My tax accountant still raises her eyebrows when I explain my “spider business” deductions each April! But the numbers don’t lie.
A case study of a U.S. tarantula breeding farm showed:
- Annual income: $240,000
- Number of spiders: 1,500+
- Number of species: 45
- Workers: 2 full-time
While I’m not at that level yet, my little arachnid side hustle paid for last summer’s family vacation. Not bad for a hobby that started with one curious spider!
Being Ethical in the Spider Trade
The British Tarantula Society stresses the importance of ethics. They say all breeders should:
- Practice sustainable breeding
- Be honest about where spiders came from
- Teach new owners how to care for their pets
- Never release non-native spiders into the wild
I always say: “A responsible breeder thinks beyond their web.” Our actions affect the whole hobby and these amazing creatures’ future in the wild.
Speaking as someone who’s spent hours on the phone walking nervous new owners through their tarantula’s first molt – education is everything!
Resources for Tarantula Sellers
Join these groups to learn more:
- The American Tarantula Society (americantarantulasociety.org)
- Arachnoboards forum
- Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council
- Local exotic pet trade groups
The friends I’ve made through these communities have been as valuable as finding a rare Poecilotheria metallica at a yard sale! We swap stories, spiderlings, and solutions to spider problems.
Final Tips
If you want to succeed in tarantula commerce, remember:
- Start small and learn as you go
- Focus on a few species you really like
- Keep perfect records
- Build a good name in the community
- Follow all laws and rules
As we like to say in the hobby, “You can’t rush a tarantula, and you can’t rush success in breeding them either!”
With care and time, you can turn your love of these eight-legged creatures into a rewarding hobby or business. The spider world is waiting for you to weave your own success story!
