Are you curious about the curly hair tarantula’s diet and care requirements? Then check out this article below.
Tarantulas with curly hair have a rounded body coated in long bristles with a gentle curl. While the majority of the spider’s bristles are black or dark brown, a few are golden in color, giving the spider a bronze texture. Tarantulas with curly hair are burrowing spiders common to Central America. Numerous species are domesticated for the purpose of being exported as exotic animals.
Curly Hair tarantulas are gentle and simple to care for, making them an excellent pick for anyone considering having a spider. However, they need proper housing and an appropriate habitat including a supply of their natural prey, which they need to catch and eat live.
The Curly Hair Tarantula’s Temperament and Behavior
This species of spider is a very quiet and docile pet. It might move around its living space and perhaps rearrange the pieces of bark in its terrarium, but most of the time your spider will stay in one place unless it is hunting down its prey.
They tend to get scared very easily, so be very gentle when handling them. Many will sit on your arm or hand as long as you move slowly and gently. Sit on the floor when you are handling them because they might get scared and try to get away from you. A fall to the ground can easily injure or even kill the spider, so be aware and careful.
A curly hair tarantula, if threatened, might attempt to defend itself. It can release hairs from its abdomens that can irritate your skin or damage your eyes. It is necessary to wash your hands after you handle a tarantula or any sort of hairy spider. They can also bite you, which can infect you with a mild venom that usually causes redness, pain, and swelling. Some people develop allergic reactions to a bite and have difficulty breathing.
Keep your curly hair tarantula away from children or other animals in the house. These spiders are solitary and should not be placed with other types of spiders.
The Curly hair Tarantula’s Housing Requirements
A 5 to 10-gallon tank is good enough for the curly hair tarantula. They do not tend to be avid climbers. The ground space should be more than three times its leg span to support its growth.
Include a three-inch layer of peat moss, vermiculite, and chemical-free potting soil in the bottom of the tank. Another great option is coconut husk bedding, which is available at many pet stores. Then add a hollow log, pieces of cork bark, or half of a small clay pot for the spider’s hiding place.
The temperature of the tank should be around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Utilize a heating pad under the tank to maintain the correct temperature. Check the temperature regularly by using a thermometer and avoid direct sunlight.
Preferred Food and Water
Curly Hair tarantulas are active predators, so they can eat live flies, crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, waxworms, and other types of insects. These insects should not be larger than the size of the tarantula’s body. You can also give mice, frogs, and lizards to adult tarantulas. Young tarantulas will be required to eat every two to five days, while adult tarantulas eat roughly once a week. Consult with your veterinarian for the appropriate variety and quantity of food to give to your tarantula.
Simply drop the prey in front of the cage near your spider. It is essential to do the feedings in the evening when the spider is more active and ready to hunt and eat. If it does not eat the food, be sure to remove it within 24 hours, or else it can stress out your spider.
Curly Hair tarantulas get most of their hydration from their food. But you need to provide a shallow dish of water in their house. Be sure that the spider can easily climb up and down from the dish.
Common Health Problems
Tarantulas typically don’t face many health problems when kept in a suitable environment and provided with the right amount of food and drink. But if you see your spider becoming lethargic or losing its appetite, consult with your veterinarian to determine the problem.
Most of the time these behaviors are a signal that your spider is ready to molt, which means that it will shed its skin and form a newer one. During the molting process, many spiders will lie on their backs with their legs curled up. Seeing this, some owners who are not familiar with the molting process can assume that their spider is dying.
The actual process of molting takes a few hours, but the process of recovery takes weeks. The new skin needs to be hardened to become a protective layer.
Buying a Curly Hair Tarantula
It is legal to have curly hair tarantulas as pets in many areas, but certain landlords or regional laws might restrict them. These spiders can be found in many pet stores, but it is easier to get one from a reputable breeder or a rescue group that secures exotic pets. A good exotic animal veterinarian will help you find a trusted source. They usually cost about $20 to $50.
