How to Keep Spiders as Pets
Spiders can make fascinating pets. Here are a few steps to get you started keeping spiders.
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
Did you know spiders eat any insex insep for Other daddy long legs
seen a 4-inch wolf spider and a 2-inch black widdow, i ain’t keeping any spiders.
If you hate spiders that’s your loss😮
I’ve got red back spider with her 3 eggs balls and one of them hatch how can I feed the babies?
dude when it comes to baby spiders you just got to let them go.
Yeah usually they eat their mothers hahaha nature works this way baby. But sometimes they just go adventure for themselves anyway…
any spider likes to eat insects like little flies they like dark places and to be left alone most of the time if you are keeping your spider inside you should make the home look like outside to make it feel safe. they drink water or blood from other insects. if you keep your spider in a tin or pastic box make sure there are holes but not to big because they might escape !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DUD THAT IS AN HOURGLASS SPIDER THE ARE VENOMES NO JOKE JUST LET IT GO
I wouldn’t mind keeping a spider if I haven’t already seen a 4-inch wolf spider.
Why would you want to catch a spider? These spiders come from the wild. How would you like it if someone removed you from your home and trapped you in a jar? If you want a spider that badly, buy one. That way, you know you won’t be causing the spider any stress.
I would like a pet spider and I keep seeing them in my basement but my twin bro is SCARED of spiders and can’t stand being on the same planet as them. Any suggestions?
just cach a spider set it on your dresser and have your bro look at it for a bit tell some fassinating stuff about them
I have a jumping spider named Blackie. He lived in my house for several months before I captured him and made a habitat for him.I was afraid if I let him continue roaming the house someone would surly step on him. I have enjoyed the little rascal. He loves baby crickets and moths. He shed his skin once and has made a large resting sac. He spent 14 days in his resting sac and I worried about him but he is okay.he was shedding his skin.
Thats so nice hehe super
i got a tegenaria duellica. called her Doris.
Shes already build an awesome web
I’m planning to catch a black widow. Where can I mostly find them?
They like dark damp places. If you have an outside shed you probably have one or two under something in there. Under washer machines, or any appliance that hasn’t been moved for a while is a good place to look too.
I would advise you to take caution & wear gloves when catching, feeding, and holding a black widow. Their bite = an emergency room trip.
ok first of all dont cach black widows there very poisinos and you can find them under rocks or under damp things
You can either buy one or if you live around the u.s. North area go in the deep forest and you could find one. They are not harmless unless you pinch a leg or mess with it. I hope this information helps you. Be safe.
PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME HOW I TAKE CARE OF MY DEAR ORB-WEAVER! SHOULD I PLACE HIM INSIDE A PLASTIC CONTAINER? OR A GLASS CONTAINER? PLEASE TELL ME! HE’S MY FIRST SPIDER