Recent Comments

How to Keep Spiders as Pets

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

spider-550

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

10 Comments on How to Keep Spiders as Pets

  1. Spider Ninja // May 3, 2015 at 1:28 pm // Reply

    cool!

  2. I have wolf spider in a cage its only a baby i just got it today i had a centipede but it died it was a baby we got it outside i got the spider befor i got the centipede the spider is one in a half inch the centipede was 1 inch

  3. It’s so cute

  4. I have a bold jumping spider and it is the cutest thing ever I’m just surprised my mom hasn’t squashed it yet (It has already gotten out of its cage once,, before the modifications)

  5. I’ve been bitten by many spiders, even a brown recluse. I own many tarantulas, and outdoor spiders, getting bit rarely has any affect on almost anybody…

  6. I have a orb weaver spider, to me, they are one of the best spiders to keep. I also have a tarantula, she’s huge and a good spider to play with. 🙂

  7. If the guy who has a spider and the spider escapes how to catch it again

  8. I live in Maine what is the best spider pet I can get from the wild!,?😕

  9. Jumping spiders are awesome😁 care:
    if kept in a jar play with them a lot but a good home is a medium Rubbermaid container.
    Sticks, so they can climb
    Drops of water and feed them crickets or mealworms
    For shelter mine usually make their own

  10. If you want to keep a orb weaver then you could put it in a big container or a corner of your house😃

Leave a Comment

Please don't use your real name.