Ever wondered why your pet tarantula seems to disappear during daylight hours?
These fascinating eight-legged creatures, members of the Theraphosidae family, have evolved specific activity patterns over millions of years. Some prefer the shadows of night, while others embrace the daylight.
Understanding your tarantula’s natural schedule is the key to successful care and a thriving pet—it’s all about working with their biological clock, not against it.
The difference in activity cycles among tarantulas is a major factor to consider when choosing the right tarantula species as a pet.
Are Tarantulas Active at Night or Day?
Most tarantulas are night-active spiders. About 85-90% of all tarantula types prefer to come out at night. Only about 2-3% are active during the day. The rest are active during dawn and dusk, or have mixed patterns.
Tom Moran, a well-known tarantula expert, explains: “Understanding when your tarantula is naturally active helps you provide better care and reduces stress for your pet.”
I learned this lesson the hard way! I spent a whole week thinking my first tarantula was boring until I checked on her with a red flashlight at 11 PM. Talk about a surprise—she was practically doing the spider equivalent of CrossFit in there!
Night-Active Tarantula Types
These popular pet tarantulas are nocturnal (active at night):
- Mexican Red Knee Tarantula (Brachypelma hamorii)
- Chilean Rose Tarantula (Grammostola rosea)
- Pink Toe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia)
- Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica)
- Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)
These tarantulas hide during the day in burrows or web-made homes. They come out at night to hunt and explore.
They’re kind of like those friends who never want to meet for breakfast but are always up for midnight tacos! My Chilean Rose, Rosie (I know, super original name!), spends all day lounging in her hide but transforms into a spider superhero once the lights go out.
Day-Active Tarantula Types
Very few tarantulas are diurnal (active during the day). Some examples include:
- Orange Baboon Tarantula juveniles (Pterinochilus murinus)
- Togo Starburst Baboon (Heteroscodra maculata) – sometimes active in daylight
- Green Bottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens) – has mixed patterns
These rare day-lovers are the morning people of the spider world. While everyone else at the Spider Café is ordering a strong “cup of cricket” to wake up, these guys are already bouncing off the walls!
How Tarantulas Adapt to Day or Night Life
Tarantulas have special body features that help them be active at different times:
| Feature | Night-Active Tarantulas | Day-Active Tarantulas |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Larger back middle eyes | More evenly sized eyes |
| Light Sensitivity | Can see in very dim light | Can handle bright light |
| Energy Use | Use less energy during day | Use more energy overall |
| Hunting | Wait for prey to come close | More active hunting |
| Defense | Feel vibrations to detect danger | Use vision more to spot danger |
It’s like how I need sunglasses on bright days, but my friend who works night shifts can spot a candy wrapper from 20 feet away in the dark. We’re built differently based on when we’re most active!
How Environment Affects Tarantula Activity
The world around your tarantula affects when it’s active:
- Temperature: Night-active tarantulas like it 72-78°F, while day-active ones prefer 80-86°F
- Humidity: Night-active types need higher humidity (65-75%)
- Light: Bright light stops night-active tarantulas from moving around
- Weather changes: Many night-active tarantulas sense air pressure changes
- Seasons: Some desert tarantulas change their activity with seasons
Richard C. Gallon, a spider scientist, notes: “A tarantula’s circadian rhythm (body clock) is deeply tied to its natural home. Desert species and tropical species have very different patterns.”
Just last month, before that big thunderstorm hit, my tarantula was pacing like she was waiting for an important Amazon delivery.
Turns out she was sensing the drop in air pressure before I even knew rain was coming—better than my weather app!
Setting Up Your Tarantula Home Based on Activity Time
Follow these tips to make the right home for your tarantula:
- Check what type you have: Learn if your tarantula is night-active or day-active
- Set up proper lighting: Use a day/night cycle that matches its natural pattern
- Provide a good hide: Make sure it has a safe place to rest during its “sleep” time
- Choose the right substrate: Burrowing species need deeper substrate
- Control temperature: Keep it in the right range for your species
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t want to sleep in a bedroom with the lights blasting and someone vacuuming at 3 AM, right? Your tarantula deserves the same courtesy!
My setup includes a timer for the room lights that matches sunset and sunrise times—my eight-legged roommate appreciates the consistency.
Feeding Your Tarantula at the Right Time
Feed night-active tarantulas in the evening. Studies show they have an 83% success rate catching food at night versus only 45% during the day.
For day-active tarantulas, feeding in daylight hours works best, with a 76% success rate compared to 38% at night.
Rick West, a famous tarantula researcher, says: “Always feed tarantulas during their active period. This matches their natural hunting hours and makes for a healthier spider.”
I once tried feeding my tarantula during the day because I was heading out for the weekend. That cricket lived so long in the enclosure, I think it was considering paying rent! Lesson learned—respect the spider’s dining schedule.
How Tarantula Behavior Changes Through Life
Tarantulas can change when they’re active as they grow:
- Baby tarantulas (spiderlings) are often more active in the day
- As they grow up, most become more night-active
- Adult male tarantulas often wander during the day looking for mates
- Female tarantulas with eggs stay more consistently active all day/night
It’s not unlike how my college-aged cousin used to pull all-nighters but now, in his 30s, falls asleep watching Netflix at 9 PM. We all change our patterns as we age!
Common Questions About Tarantula Activity
Are all tarantulas nocturnal? No. About 85-90% are night-active, but some are day-active or active at dawn/dusk.
Can my night-active tarantula become day-active? Not completely, but some can adjust a little to new light patterns.
What if my night-active tarantula is out during the day? This could mean:
- It’s very hungry
- The temperature is wrong
- It’s getting ready to molt
- Something is stressing it
How do I know if my tarantula’s activity is normal? Check the American Tarantula Society care guides for your specific species.
This reminds me of when everyone was talking about changing sleep schedules during the 2023 pandemic lockdowns. Even us humans can adjust our patterns a bit, but we still have our natural preferences!
Taking Care of Your Tarantula
Understanding your tarantula’s natural activity time helps you be a better keeper. Respect whether your pet is a night-hunter or day-explorer. This will help your tarantula live a longer, healthier life.
For more detailed information about tarantula care, visit the British Tarantula Society, which offers excellent resources for both beginners and experts.
Remember that working with your tarantula’s natural spider circadian rhythm instead of against it makes for a happier pet and a more rewarding experience.
As they say in the tarantula hobby, “You can lead a spider to cricket, but you can’t make it eat—at least not until the sun goes down!” Happy tarantula keeping, friends!
