Ever watched someone calmly hold a tarantula and wondered, “Could I do that?” These fascinating arachnids have captivated humans for centuries, evolving from feared creatures to beloved pets.
With over 900 species worldwide, tarantulas range from docile companions to defensive speedsters.
Not all tarantulas should be handled, but with proper knowledge and technique, interacting with suitable species can be safe and rewarding for both human and spider.
This guide will equip you with everything needed to handle tarantulas confidently and responsibly.
Before attempting to handle your pet, it’s important to know when it’s safe to handle your tarantula.
Understanding Tarantula Temperaments
Not all tarantulas are the same – they’ve got personalities as varied as the people you’d meet at a music festival! Their personality and behavior can be drastically different depending on where they evolved.
New World vs. Old World Tarantulas
- New World tarantulas are the laid-back California surfers of the spider world. They come from North and South America and generally have a more “chill” nature. Instead of immediately biting when threatened, they have special hairs called urticating hairs that they can flick at you like tiny, irritating confetti. These hairs can cause itching and irritation – kind of like rolling in fiberglass insulation (which I unfortunately did once while fixing my attic – worst rash ever!).
- Old World tarantulas are more like New York City cab drivers in rush hour – quick to react and not afraid to let you know when they’re upset! These spiders from Africa, Asia, and Australia don’t have those urticating hairs. Instead, they’re more likely to give you a bite if they feel threatened. They’re generally more defensive, quicker on their feet, and less tolerant of handling.
I’ve kept both types, and let me tell you – my Old World baboon tarantula makes my cat look patient and forgiving!
Research backs up what I’ve seen firsthand: studies show that handling causes 40-60% more stress in tarantulas.
Scientists measure this by tracking movement patterns, defensive postures, and whether the spider goes on a hunger strike afterward.
If you’re scared to handle your tarantula, you’re not alone – I still get butterflies (the insect irony isn’t lost on me), but there are ways to approach it safely.
Best Tarantulas for Handling
Here’s the honest truth – only about 20-30% of tarantula species are good candidates for handling.
That’s like saying only a quarter of dogs enjoy wearing sweaters – some just aren’t into it! Here are the top 5 beginner-friendly species that I and most experienced keepers recommend:
| Species Name | Common Name | Temperament | Handling Ease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brachypelma hamorii | Mexican Red Knee | Very docile | Excellent |
| Grammostola rosea | Chilean Rose Hair | Generally calm | Good |
| Tliltocatl albopilosus | Curly Hair | Docile | Very good |
| Grammostola pulchra | Brazilian Black | Calm, slow-moving | Excellent |
| Avicularia avicularia | Pink Toe | Gentle, may be jumpy | Moderate |
For more suggestions, check out the best beginner tarantulas for handling.
Reading Tarantula Body Language
Learning to understand spider body language is like learning to read your teenager’s moods – crucial for survival! Here’s what to watch for:
- Raised front legs and fangs – This is spider for “back off!” It’s like when someone puts their hands on their hips and glares at you.
- Rubbing back legs on abdomen – They’re about to flick those irritating hairs. It’s the spider equivalent of loading a confetti cannon aimed at your face.
- Running or hiding – Your eight-legged friend is stressed or scared. Last week, my Curly Hair darted behind her hide when I dropped a book nearby – poor girl thought the sky was falling!
- Abdomen raised high – May be ready to poop defensively. Yes, that’s a thing, and yes, it’s as unpleasant as it sounds (learned that one the hard way).
Recognizing these behaviors isn’t just helpful – it’s critical. It’s like knowing that a rattlesnake’s rattle means “don’t come closer” rather than “please pet me.” Check out understanding tarantula body language for a deeper dive into this fascinating topic.
Essential Safety Precautions Before Handling
Creating a Safe Handling Space
Always handle your tarantula in a safe environment – think of it as creating a spider spa where relaxation is the goal:
- Sit on the floor or over a soft surface – concrete floors and tarantulas mix about as well as orange juice and toothpaste.
- Keep pets and children away – my cat thinks spiders are interactive toys, which is a hard no.
- Close doors and windows – a tarantula on the loose can cause more household drama than season finale of your favorite show.
- Turn off fans and air conditioning – no one wants their spider accidentally launched like a furry frisbee.
- Have good lighting – trying to handle a tarantula in dim light is like trying to parallel park blindfolded.
Handling Tools and Equipment
Using the right tarantula handling tools can make things safer for everyone involved:
- Catch cup – A clear plastic container to safely capture your tarantula. I use an old deli container that once held potato salad – from storing one creepy thing to another! (Just kidding, tarantulas are beautiful.)
- Soft paintbrush – To gently guide your tarantula. The same brush I once used for watercolors now helps direct my Pink Toe when she gets too adventurous.
- Tarantula tongs – For moving substrate or food, not for grabbing the spider. Using tongs on a tarantula would be like someone using salad tongs to pick you up – uncomfortable and undignified.
- Soft surface like a towel below your handling area – this is your spider’s safety net.
Preventing Falls and Injuries
Falls are one of the most common handling accidents, and they can be fatal for tarantulas.
Their abdomens are about as durable as water balloons – one drop, and splat! If your tarantula does take a tumble, knowing tarantula fall recovery steps is crucial.
I once nearly had a heart attack when my Brazilian Black almost rolled off my hand, but a quick save prevented disaster.
Special Handling Considerations
Arboreal vs. Terrestrial Tarantulas
Arboreal vs. terrestrial tarantulas have different handling needs – kind of like how cats and dogs have different petting preferences.
Arboreal tarantulas are the parkour experts of the spider world – they love to climb and might suddenly decide your head looks like a great perch.
Meanwhile, terrestrial species are more like spider couch potatoes, preferring to stay on flat surfaces and moving with the urgency of me approaching a
Monday morning.
Health Risks and Precautions
Tarantula Venom: Facts vs. Myths
Let’s bust some myths faster than a spider can run:
- Fact: Less than 0.5% of emergency room visits for animal bites are from tarantulas. You’re more likely to end up in the ER from a hamster bite or a rogue LEGO brick on the floor at night.
- Fact: No tarantula has venom that is deadly to healthy adults. A tarantula bite is usually more like a bee sting – unpleasant but not life-threatening unless you’re allergic.
My brother-in-law still tells everyone my tarantulas could kill the whole neighborhood. I just smile and remind him he’s more likely to be taken out by his own turkey fryer on Thanksgiving.
Handling can stress out your pet, so it’s essential to know if handling can stress your tarantula.
Defensive Mechanisms
Some tarantulas flick hairs when threatened – it’s their version of pepper spray. The first time my Mexican Red Knee did this to me, I thought I was having an allergic reaction to my new laundry detergent! I was scratching for days.
Learn more about tarantula hair flicking, one of their unique defense behaviors that makes tear gas look pleasant by comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if My Tarantula Escapes?
If your tarantula pulls a Houdini, don’t panic.
Last summer, my Curly Hair decided to explore behind my bookshelf during handling, leading to a two-hour “spider hunt” that had me crawling around with a flashlight like I was looking for a contact lens.
Follow this step-by-step recovery guide to locate and safely retrieve your eight-legged explorer.
Should I Use Gloves When Handling?
The gloves debate is like the pineapple-on-pizza controversy of the tarantula world.
Some keepers swear by them, others think they reduce sensitivity.
Science suggests that it’s best to decide based on your comfort level and which species you’re handling.
Personally, I go bare-handed with my docile species but would absolutely want kevlar gauntlets if I ever handled my ornery baboon tarantula (which I don’t, because I value my fingers).
Find out more in this guide on whether to use gloves for tarantula handling.
Conclusion
Handling tarantulas can be an amazing experience – it’s like holding a piece of evolutionary history in your palm.
But it must be done with great care and respect. Always put the spider’s safety first.
Remember that not all tarantulas should be handled, and even the calm ones should only be handled briefly and carefully – think quality time, not quantity.
By following proper techniques and treating these fascinating creatures with respect, you can safely enjoy the unique experience of handling your tarantula while keeping both you and your pet safe.
And who knows? Like me, you might go from being terrified of spiders to having a shelf full of tarantula enclosures and a phone full of spider photos that your friends are tired of seeing!
