Tarantulas

Research your pet. Many tarantulas have many different needs. Make sure you fully understand the diet, temperature requirements and humidity levels that your specific tarantula needs. Most tarantulas will eat fruit flies, crickets, small frogs, lizards, or pinkie mice, depending on the size and species of the tarantula.
Find out where your type of tarantula typically lives. Some tarantulas live in trees (arboreal) where height is more important than ground space. If you have a tarantula that lives on the ground (ground dwelling/opportunistic burrowing), then it's more important to have room for the tarantula to walk around. Native climate will also dictate the ideal temperature and humidity levels for your species of tarantula.

Purchase a suitable container for your tarantula. Make sure you use a tank or Critter Keeper that is meets your tarantula's needs. This will vary depending on the size and species of tarantula. Critter Keepers can be purchased from most pet stores. Aquariums work well, as long as the top is sealed in a way that the tarantula cannot escape. Remember tarantulas can climb glass very easily. To a tarantula, a piece of glass is like a 'jagged rockface' due to the minute 'hooks' on its pads / feet. Don't make the tank too big, as a tarantula does not need a lot of space. More space makes it easier for its prey (crickets) to hide or get away from the tarantula. Make sure that the enclosure size is approximately twice the leg span of your pet in depth, front to back. It should also be three times the leg span in length for a comfortable size to house your tarantula. Tarantulas do not require a large area to be happy in captivity.
Place a good few inches (at the very least 2 inches) of substrate at the bottom of the tank. This prevents the tank from getting too dry and holds in moisture when you mist the tank. Some species of tarantulas will dig into the substrate and might need up to 5" of substrate. The depth of the substrate should be no less than the leg span of your pet from the surface of the substrate to the top of the enclosure to prevent injuries due to falls which can rupture the Opisthosoma (abdomen) of your pet. Fill the enclosure with an all Organic Potting soil such as Black Gold All Organic Potting soil, or Canadian Peat Moss, or if you choose, you can mix a combination of both for an acceptable substrate. Many nurseries carry such products. The main criteria is that it be listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute [OMRI] if possible to ensure no additives such as fertilizers are included.
Provide your tarantula with a water source such as a water bowel which can be of the pet store variety or as simple as a plastic jar lid depending on the size of your pet. It should be large enough that your tarantula can submerge its Chelicera and fangs to drink from the source. Never use a sponge for your tarantula to drink from as sponges can harbor harmful bacteria in large quantities. The bowl does not need to be any deeper than about one inch for an adult spider, less according to size.
Decorate according to the specific needs of the tarantula. Tree dwelling species will need branches and tall things to climb on, while ground dwelling species should be discouraged from climbing as they could easily fall and injure themselves. Remember, the more you put in, the more you got to clean....and you will have to clean the enclosure at some time. Some people like to decorate the interior with silk plants, leaves etc. It is not necessary and is more of a personal choice rather than a requirement for their habitat. A piece of store bought driftwood might be appreciated. Remember, simple is best. Make it low tech and enjoyable.
Provide some form of security for your tarantula in the form of a pre-made burrow or hide something such as partially buried clay flowerpot. This will allow your pet to escape light and reduce stress. As many tarantulas are obligate burrows by nature you can provide a pre-made burrow in the following manner.
Feed it the right stuff. Feeding is inexpensive and easy. All pet tarantulas are insectivores, meaning they eat insects! they are also opportunists, some able to subdue small lizards, snakes, birds and mammals and such as mice. Crickets are the mainstays of the diet of captive speciemens although some hobbyists feed roaches as well. Crickets can be purchased at most pet stores. Roaches generally have to be ordered online and a colony started to ensure a constant supply of roaches as a food source. Some roaches are able to climb glass so it is advisable to learn how to keep them contained. Many keepers use a ring of petroleum jelly around the top of the roach container to keep the roaches from crossing the petroleum jelly and escaping.

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