Tarantula: lifespan, size, diet and care
Don’t pick it up: its urticating hairs irritate eyes and skin, and a fall can injure it. When it molts it lies on its back: don’t touch it.
In Italy only captive-bred tarantulas can be kept (Legislative Decree 135/2022). Many of the best-selling ones (Brachypelma, Tliltocatl and, since 29 June 2026, Grammostola rosea) are in Annex B of the EU wildlife trade rules: no certificate is needed, but keep proof of legal purchase, such as the invoice.
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How big it is
An adult measures up to 15 cm (6 in) with its legs spread.
Zoomed ×8: here you see the man up to 23.8 cm (9 in) off the ground
Before it arrives
- A glass or plastic enclosure wider than it is tall: for ground-dwelling species the height shouldn't exceed the spider's length, because a fall can kill it
- A secure lid with air holes (against escapes and mold)
- A hide, like a clay pot on its side or half a coconut shell
- 7–12 cm (3–5 in) of fertilizer- and pesticide-free soil, peat or coconut fiber; no sand, gravel or wood shavings
- A shallow water dish: it can drown in a deep one; no wet cotton wool or sponges
- A quiet, warm room (about 21–29 °C / 70–85 °F), away from bright lights, with a min-max thermometer; no heat lamps
- Farm-raised live insects of the right size (crickets, locusts)
- Only one tarantula per enclosure
Its home: temperature and light
- The room
- 21–29 °C (70–84 °F)
- Humidity
- 60–65%
What it eats and how often
live insects, once or twice a week; remove leftovers
- Adults: every 4–7 days
Farm-raised live insects, like crickets and locusts, no longer than half its body: 3 to 5 at a time, once or twice a week. Remove the ones it doesn't eat (after about 10 minutes, or an hour at most): hungry insects can bite it. No pinkie mice or meat.
Vaccines and checkups
There are no vaccines to give.
No vet source gives a fixed checkup schedule: ask a vet who knows its species how often a checkup is needed.
The care calendar
What to do, from the most frequent to the least.
- every dayWater dishRefill the shallow dish every day and change it completely twice a week. Mist the substrate, never the spider.
- every weekLive insects3 to 5 crickets no longer than half its body, once or twice a week; remove the ones it doesn't eat.
Call the vet right away if…
If you see one of these signs, call your vet now: don’t wait for it to pass.
- It fell from a height: its abdomen can burst and leak fluid, and it can bleed to death
- White material around its mouth and a smaller appetite: it may have worms (nematodes)
- Wounds or bites after live insects were left in the enclosure
- A bald patch on its abdomen: it's stressed and flicking its hairs to defend itself
Looks serious, but it’s normal:
- It lies on its back and doesn't move: it's molting (15 minutes to a full day). Don't touch or move it.
- Before a molt it stops eating for a while.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a tarantula live?
Males up to 10 years, females over 30.
How big is a tarantula?
An adult measures up to 15 cm (6 in) with its legs spread.
How much does a tarantula weigh?
We have no adult weight for this pet from a vet source: what matters is that its weight stays steady.
What does a tarantula eat, and how often?
Live insects, once or twice a week; remove leftovers. Farm-raised live insects, like crickets and locusts, no longer than half its body: 3 to 5 at a time, once or twice a week. Remove the ones it doesn't eat (after about 10 minutes, or an hour at most): hungry insects can bite it. No pinkie mice or meat. Adults: every 4–7 days.
Does a tarantula need vaccines?
No, there are no vaccines to give.
When should a tarantula see a vet right away?
Right away if you see one of these signs: it fell from a height: its abdomen can burst and leak fluid, and it can bleed to death; white material around its mouth and a smaller appetite: it may have worms (nematodes); wounds or bites after live insects were left in the enclosure. The others are above, in “Call the vet right away if…”.
How old is a tarantula in human years?
There’s no human-years chart for tarantulas, and their lifespan depends on the sex: males live up to 10 years, females over 30.
Tools for your tarantula
Always ask your vet: this site helps you understand, it doesn’t replace a checkup.
Sources
- Royal Veterinary College, “Tarantula care” (2024) (checked on October 13, 2026)
- University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, “Caring for pet tarantulas” (checked on October 13, 2026)
- University of Kentucky, Entomology, “Exotic bugs: care and feeding” (checked on October 13, 2026)
- Italian Ministry of the Environment (MASE), CITES note of 4 March 2026, and Regulation (EU) 2026/1383 (checked on October 13, 2026)
- Italian Legislative Decree 135 of 5 August 2022, art. 3 (wild-caught exotic animals) (checked on October 13, 2026)
- University of Idaho Extension, BUL 1120 How to Handle Tarantulas in a Classroom Setting (2026, PDF) (checked on October 14, 2026)
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Chilean rose tarantula (checked on October 13, 2026)