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How to Keep Spiders as Pets

Spiders can make fascinating pets. Here are a few steps to get you started keeping spiders.

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Step 1: Catch a spider

Spiders are all around us, indoors and out, so they’re not hard to find. Some species can bite and a few are venomous. Learn about dangerous spiders in your area before heading out. It’s easy to safely catch a spider by using a small jar. Gently coax it into the jar using the lid. Spiders will eat each other, so keep only one per jar.

Step 2: Prepare a cage

Large spiders do well in the inexpensive plastic terrariums available from pet stores. Smaller ones can be kept in jars or plastic containers if air holes are drilled into the lid or sides. Be sure the holes are small enough to prevent escape.

Potting soil makes good cover for the cage bottom. Sticks, dead leaves or artificial plants provide structure for hiding, climbing and webbing.

Step 3: Water

Depending on the size of the spider, anything from a plastic bottle cap to a small bowl can serve as a water dish. Spiders also drink water sprayed on webbing, but you should never allow the cage to become damp.

Step 4: Feeding

Offer insect prey once or twice a week. Crickets are available from pet shops, or you can collect insects outdoors if no insecticides have been sprayed in the area.

Step 5: Observing

Watch your spider and take notes on its behavior. You won’t believe what happens in the spider’s web until you’ve visited it yourself!


PREFERRED PETS

Not all spiders do well in captivity. Active hunters are usually easier to keep than web builders. Here are a few that make good pets.

Tarantulas: Some species exceed 10 inches in legspan. They’re by far the most popular pet spiders and can be bought in pet stores.

Wolf Spiders: Some can be more than three inches in legspan. Large specimens do best in terrariums with lots of floor space.

Jumping Spiders: Although small and rarely exceeding half an inch, their jumping ability is amazing. Many species are brightly colored and can easily be kept in jars.

Fishing Spiders: In captivity, these large spiders appreciate vertically arranged pieces of bark for climbing. They’re very fast, so use caution when capturing them.

Grass Spiders: These spiders build funnel-shaped webs in grass, bushes and on buildings. In captivity, they will build extensive webs inside their cage.

LEARN MORE: Click here to see photos of a spider expert’s seven favorite spiders

18 Comments on How to Keep Spiders as Pets

  1. Tonight I caught a house spider I named Sam. I just cut off a small peice of sponge and wet it what should I feed him btw he is in a vase with plastic wrap over it with holes

  2. I have about 20 jumping spiders and I’m about to get more

  3. Grass Spiders: hard to capture but cool if you can they can be kind of nice to the same tip of spider just try not to get them real close to each other when feeding

  4. Spiders are the most fascinating of creatures. I could go on forever about how wonderful they are. But as far as keeping them, I want to keep 2-3 spiders in one cage, who don’t search for food the same way, and have them co exist. I do know that spiders aren’t aggressive and back off from fights often so casualties should be low

  5. YEAH they are suppose to keep seperately i tried puting my long leg and a fighting spider together then i went to the toilet and my fighting spider is being wraped into like a cacoon

  6. im now keeping a fighting spider

  7. well not to confuse u but what if they bite you wile catchin it?And they are NOT easy to find.I mean they are in your garage but berely ouside?

    • there really are many outside. Esccpecially brown recluse. They are venomous (as i understand), but are very easy to catch and wouldn’t bite if you are gentle. I have one and am very happy with it so far. If you are planning to catch one, look in your backyard in the evening.

    • how wood u no

  8. Y do people want spiders that bite i mean what if it dies?

  9. i am going to catch a jumping spider and keeping it as a pet

  10. SongBird1320 // June 23, 2011 at 12:44 pm // Reply

    What are some non-biting spiders that are easy to find?

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