Imagine holding a creature with eight legs, multiple eyes, and venomous fangs—in your living room! What drives millions of people to welcome these hairy giants into their homes? The answer lies in the fascinating world of tarantula keeping.
The tarantula pet trade is worth $50-70 million each year around the world. These hairy spiders make up about 2-3% of the exotic pet market. More and more people want to keep these eight-legged pets at home.
Ethical breeders ensure their stock complies with legal considerations for tarantula breeders to prevent overexploitation of wild populations.
Key Points:
- Most sold tarantulas (85%) are now captive-bred rather than caught in the wild
- The Mexican Red Knee Tarantula is the most popular beginner species
- Online sales make up 65% of all tarantula purchases
- 16 tarantula types are protected by special laws
- Starting a small breeding business costs $2,000-5,000
Popular Tarantula Species You Can Buy
The Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii) makes up 22% of all sales. These tarantulas cost between $60-120 and are great for beginners. They have beautiful orange knee patches and live for 20-30 years.
I’ll never forget when my Red Knee, first took a cricket from my tweezers. Talk about a hair-raising experience! But seriously, these gentle giants are perfect for newbies – they’re the golden retrievers of the spider world.
The Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra) is known for its shiny black body and calm nature. It’s another good choice for new keepers.
For collectors willing to spend more, the Gooty Sapphire Ornamental (Poecilotheria metallica) is the most expensive common species at $250-400. This bright blue spider is protected by law and needs more expert care.
My buddy Jake calls his Poecilotheria his “blue sports car with eight wheels” – beautiful, expensive, and needs special handling! After the recent TarantulaFest 2024 in Phoenix, these blue beauties are even harder to find.
Tom Moran, spider expert and educator, says: “Beginners should always start with New World terrestrial species like the Curly Hair or Red Knee. Old World species like Poecilotheria have stronger venom and faster movement patterns.”
Wild-Caught vs. Captive-Bred Spiders
Today, 85% of tarantulas sold in the US and Europe are captive-bred. This is much better than in 2010 when only 40% were bred in captivity.
Wild-caught spiders:
- May carry parasites
- Often cost less
- Can affect wild populations
- May not live as long in captivity
Captive-bred spiders:
- Are healthier
- Adjust better to life in a tank
- Help protect wild populations
- May cost more but are worth it
Buying wild-caught tarantulas is like bringing home a lottery ticket with eight legs – you never know what you’re getting! Last summer, I rescued a wild-caught Pink Toe that was so stressed it wouldn’t eat for weeks. Talk about giving me gray hairs!
Cost of Keeping Tarantulas
Starting a tarantula collection is not very expensive compared to other pets.
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Beginner Tarantula | $30-120 |
| Basic Tank Setup | $50-100 |
| Yearly Food (Crickets) | $60-120 |
| Heat Source (If Needed) | $20-40 |
The average keeper spends $300-800 per year on their hobby, including buying new spiders, tanks, and food.
I spend less on my five tarantulas each month than my neighbor spends on fancy coffee! When my heating bill spiked this past winter during the record cold snap, I joked that my spiders were living more comfortably than I was.
The Breeding Business
Starting a small tarantula breeding business costs about $2,000-5,000 for 10-15 breeding pairs. Most breeders don’t make a profit for 18-24 months after starting.
A successful breeding gives 50-900 eggs depending on the species. About 60-75% of baby spiders (called spiderlings) survive to selling size.
My first breeding attempt was like trying to herd cats – if cats laid hundreds of eggs and then disappeared for months! It’s not exactly a get-rich-quick scheme, but when those tiny spiderlings finally emerge, it feels like striking gold.
Jamie’s Tarantulas, a well-known US breeder, offers care guides and breeding tips that help new breeders get started right.
How Tarantulas Are Sold
Most tarantulas (65%) are now sold online through websites and social media, while 35% are sold in pet shops or at shows. Online sales have grown from 40% in 2018.
When spiders are shipped, about 12-15% die during travel. This is much better than the 30% death rate seen in the early 2000s. Better shipping methods using special containers like the Fauna Box have helped more spiders arrive alive.
I still remember waiting anxiously by the door when my first mail-order tarantula was arriving. The delivery guy’s face when I told him what was in the box was priceless! “Neither snow nor rain nor fear of spiders stays these couriers,” I joked, but he wasn’t laughing.
Laws and Rules About Tarantula Trading
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) protects 16 tarantula species, including all Brachypelma types from Mexico. This means special permits are needed to move these spiders between countries.
Some countries have made their own rules too. Chile banned all tarantula exports in 2018 after finding that wild populations had dropped by 30%.
Navigating tarantula import laws is harder than trying to teach a spider to fetch! After the latest CITES meeting in February 2025, I’m keeping my eyes peeled for updates on which species might join the protected list.
Richard J. Gallon, tarantula researcher, notes: “The biggest threat to tarantulas isn’t the pet trade itself, but habitat destruction. Sustainable trade can actually help protect species by giving local people a reason to preserve habitats.”
Problems and Ethics in the Spider Trade
The tarantula market faces several challenges:
- Wild habitat loss
- Too many common species being bred
- Not enough vets who can treat sick spiders (only 8%)
- Shipping stress and deaths
Most keepers (92%) say they support ethical tarantula sourcing and sustainable trade practices, up from 65% in 2015.
I’ve been beating this drum at local exotic pet meetups: if we don’t protect wild habitats, we’re cutting off the branch we’re sitting on! Last month, our group raised funds to support a conservation project in Mexico – small steps, but we’re spinning a web of positive change.
You can learn more about tarantula conservation from the American Tarantula Society, which works to promote responsible keeping.
Future of the Tarantula Pet Trade
The hobby is growing by 8-12% each year, with social media helping to attract new fans. The number of female keepers is growing by 3% each year, and more young people (18-25) are getting interested.
Asia shows the fastest growth rate with an 8% yearly increase in tarantula keeping. New captive breeding programs are helping to make the hobby more sustainable for the future.
The other day, my 10-year-old niece asked me about starting her own tarantula collection after seeing mine on video chat. The look on my sister’s face was worth a thousand words! But that’s the future – a new generation falling in love with these misunderstood creatures.
With proper care, regulation, and hobbyist education, the tarantula pet trade can continue to grow while protecting these amazing creatures in the wild.
