How to Keep Spiders As Pets

Many people view spiders as pests, or even dangerous insects. Although some spiders may be dangerous, many are harmless and are very suitable as pets.

Steps

1. Find a spider. There are many different types of spiders one can choose. A couple of common spiders groups you can choose from are jumping spiders, orb weavers, and wolf spiders. The spider groups most suitable for captivity are spiders that can hunt on foot. These include jumping spiders and wolf spiders.
   
2. Once you have procured a possible candidate find a clear container with holes in it so that the spider can breathe. Fewer holes, (even just one) seem to work best. Make sure that the container is large enough for the spider to move around and jump around comfortably. A small jar lid or cup with wet paper towel or cotton will help to maintain humidity.
   
3. Make sure you can take the lid off or drop insects in the container without having to take apart the whole container. Preferably, make a small hinge that can open and close without taking the lid off.
   
4. Put a small covering of sand or soil in the bottom and a leaf, rock or some other object that the spider can hide under and make its lair.
   
5. Place the spider in the container.
   
6. Feed the spider. On average, the spider needs about one or two insects a day to be as happy as possible, unless it is a larger insect. Make sure that the insect that you give it is not larger than the spider itself. An insect about half the size of the spider is an ideal candidate. Some examples of good prey are flies, smaller spiders, small caterpillars, and about any other small insect. Small meal worms work well. If you use fruit flies be sure to supplement them with other insects. Most spiders can live for up to a month without food if they have water.
   
7. Spiders get all the fluid they need from their prey, so you do not need to put water in the cage, but try to keep the humidity controlled.
   
8. Enjoy. If a spider is well taken care of, they can live up to a year. Some tarantulas can even live for 25 years.
   

Tips

• Remember to clean out the cage about every week, so ants won't get in the cage.
  
• You can keep the cage inside if you like, as long as you don't mind the spider getting loose in your room.
  
• Jumping spiders are fun spiders to keep as pets since they are very active and are often colorful.
  
• You shouldn't handle the spider too much, as it could possibly get injured.
  

Warnings

• Never handle a spider unless you are sure it is not poisonous. If you have the slightest bit of doubt look it up in a field guide or on the internet.
  

Things You'll Need

• A container
  
• A spider
  
• Plenty of bugs and insects for prey
  
• Some time on your hands
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Keep Spiders As Pets. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.


FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE: