Those who are interested in entering the hobby of tarantula keeping, but have not yet purchased their first spider, may be intimidated by the wide price ranges, as well as the weekly costs of food and tank maintenance. With a bit of knowledge of the type of spider they are looking for, and the type of food and habitat needed for the specific breed, prospective buyers can have more confidence in whether they are getting a good price before pulling the trigger on a tarantula and setup. This article will cover a sample of 3 unsexed intro-level tarantulas as well as the price, and associated expenses with owning them.
Going-Rates for Introductory Level Tarantula Breeds and Necessary Supplies
There are numerous breeds of tarantulas that require levels of care ideal for owners with limited knowledge of arachnid keeping and have reasonable costs associated with purchasing the spider itself, a terrarium with furnishings, and food. The following data covers the prices of some of the best introductory level spiders, and the equipment needed for proper care.
Pink Toe Tarantulas
Pink Toe tarantulas are arboreal, tree-dwelling spiders native to the canopies of Central and South American forests. They require a 5-10 gallon habitat, with climbing space, and a moist substrate capable of holding adequate humidity. An under-tank heater is required to keep an in-cage temperature similar to that of the tarantula’s tropical habitat. For sustenance, Pink Toes require a weekly diet of crickets that can be purchased at local, and big-box pet stores.
Depending on the source, an adult Pink Toe Tarantula can be had for between 20 and 30 dollars when either shipped to you from an online vendor or purchased at a brick-and-mortar shop. An appropriately sized 5 to 10-gallon terrarium, which will be adequate to house your spider for the entirety of its life, is typically priced at around 25 dollars for a quality 5-gallon tank, to $45 for the 10-gallon option. A high-quality substrate for holding humidity and burrowing, which will preferably be made from sphagnum moss or coconut fiber, costs around $14.99 for an extra-large container of moss, and $20 for a 24-quart bag of coconut fiber mix. Both options will allow you to provide your spider fresh substrate for months. Heat can be provided to your tarantula’s cage with a miniature external heat pad, which can be had for under $30. Lastly, various tarantula-safe decorations can be purchased from your local pet store, or online vendor which can be used to simulate an arboreal environment from your tarantula. Many examples of faux foliage and branches for cage-deco are priced at 5 dollars or less, making decorating your terrarium affordable, and fun. The majority of tarantulas can be fed on a budget of a dollar a week which can purchase between 5 and 10 crickets at most stores
Estimated Cost For Pink Toe Tarantula And Setup: $115
Curly Hair Tarantulas
Curly Hair tarantulas are a terrestrial species native to the Central American nations of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. These spiders are known to burrow, making adequate substrate for tunneling, and rocks/wood for hiding under a necessity. Like most tarantulas, a 5 to 10-gallon terrarium is recommended, however, no external heat supply is typically needed, as curly hairs can thrive in a room temperature environment. The Curly Hair tarantula gains a large percentage of their hydration through their food, so they must be fed on a regular basis, at least weekly, when not molting.
The Curly Hair Tarantulas average market price is approximately $50 for an unsexed adult specimen. Similarly to what is needed for the Pink Toe, a terrarium of at least 5 gallons is required, with a maximum recommended size being 10-gallons. The prices for tanks of these sizes are about $25 and $45 respectively. These tarantulas thrive with a substrate of either coconut fiber mix, or a combination of both coco fiber and vermiculite. A large bag of vermiculite can be purchased from most home improvement stores for a reasonable price. At pet stores, 24 quarts of coconut fiber can be fetched at $20 a bag, and vermiculite, $22 for two cubic feet at home depot or lowes. These tarantulas live in semi-arid grasslands which are typically free of trees, making floral decorations and plantlife inappropriate additions to their habitats. Partially buried flower pots, as well as desert, themed decorations make great, environmentally correct auditions to your spider’s habitat, acting as both hides for your spider and adding to the cages aesthetic. While small clay flower pots that cost about one dollar at nurseries are adequate to satisfy your spider, more elaborate accessories such as the WEC badlands red-rock creature hide priced at $28.99 can add a more realistic flair to your tarantula's habitat. Curly hairs can survive happily on a diet of crickets alone, however, owners may occasionally treat their adult tarantula to a pinky mouse which can be bought live, or in bulk when frozen for under 2 dollars each.
Estimated Cost For Curly Hair Tarantula And Setup: $120
Rose Hair Tarantulas
The Rose Hair Tarantula is found in South America in an area spanning from Chile to Argentina. These desert-dwelling spiders are extremely hardy and due to their docile nature, prefer smaller terrariums, making housing them much more affordable in the beginning. Able to survive the sweltering days, and cold nights in the desert, these tarantulas can happily live in homes with ambient room temperatures of 68 to 85 degrees without any added heat source or interventions to the temperature.
The cost to purchase a Rose Hair Tarantula from either an online source or pet store is usually between $19.99 and $30. Because of their low space requirements, a five-gallon terrarium, priced at about $25 is completely satisfactory for the needs of these spiders. Due to their hardiness and ability to thrive in various environments, peat moss, vermiculite, and coconut fibers all make great substrates for the terrarium of a Rose Hair. While a large bag of vermiculite can be had for about $22, and coconut fiber for $20, an 8 quart brick of compressed peat moss runs at about 8 dollars. Because the Rose Hair Tarantula lives in arid environments with scrub brush and dry foliage, decorations such as processed grapevine or driftwood can be used to simulate climbing opportunities that they might encounter in the wild. Because driftwood and grapevine are harvested from natural environments and vary in size and quality, the price varies, however a sizable piece of dried, treated grapevine typically costs about 19 dollars and about 5 dollars for the more abundant driftwood. Curly hairs typically prefer a diet of crickets, with a full-grown tarantula consuming one or two large ones per week. While most stores sell crickets at a minimum of one dollar's worth (5-10 crickets) you may be able to buy them individually for less.
Estimated Cost For Rose Hair Tarantula And Setup: $85
While purchasing a tarantula can seem a daunting, expensive task at first, most spiders share similarities in the care, terrarium size, diets, and substrates required to keep them healthy and satisfied. With knowledge of what the baseline costs for a tarantula breed and an adequate setup are, new owners can plan their budget for extras such as decorations and flora to enhance their terrarium after their spider’s basic needs have been met first.
Going-Rates for Introductory Level Tarantula Breeds and Necessary Supplies
There are numerous breeds of tarantulas that require levels of care ideal for owners with limited knowledge of arachnid keeping and have reasonable costs associated with purchasing the spider itself, a terrarium with furnishings, and food. The following data covers the prices of some of the best introductory level spiders, and the equipment needed for proper care.
Pink Toe Tarantulas
Pink Toe tarantulas are arboreal, tree-dwelling spiders native to the canopies of Central and South American forests. They require a 5-10 gallon habitat, with climbing space, and a moist substrate capable of holding adequate humidity. An under-tank heater is required to keep an in-cage temperature similar to that of the tarantula’s tropical habitat. For sustenance, Pink Toes require a weekly diet of crickets that can be purchased at local, and big-box pet stores.
Depending on the source, an adult Pink Toe Tarantula can be had for between 20 and 30 dollars when either shipped to you from an online vendor or purchased at a brick-and-mortar shop. An appropriately sized 5 to 10-gallon terrarium, which will be adequate to house your spider for the entirety of its life, is typically priced at around 25 dollars for a quality 5-gallon tank, to $45 for the 10-gallon option. A high-quality substrate for holding humidity and burrowing, which will preferably be made from sphagnum moss or coconut fiber, costs around $14.99 for an extra-large container of moss, and $20 for a 24-quart bag of coconut fiber mix. Both options will allow you to provide your spider fresh substrate for months. Heat can be provided to your tarantula’s cage with a miniature external heat pad, which can be had for under $30. Lastly, various tarantula-safe decorations can be purchased from your local pet store, or online vendor which can be used to simulate an arboreal environment from your tarantula. Many examples of faux foliage and branches for cage-deco are priced at 5 dollars or less, making decorating your terrarium affordable, and fun. The majority of tarantulas can be fed on a budget of a dollar a week which can purchase between 5 and 10 crickets at most stores
Estimated Cost For Pink Toe Tarantula And Setup: $115
Curly Hair Tarantulas
Curly Hair tarantulas are a terrestrial species native to the Central American nations of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. These spiders are known to burrow, making adequate substrate for tunneling, and rocks/wood for hiding under a necessity. Like most tarantulas, a 5 to 10-gallon terrarium is recommended, however, no external heat supply is typically needed, as curly hairs can thrive in a room temperature environment. The Curly Hair tarantula gains a large percentage of their hydration through their food, so they must be fed on a regular basis, at least weekly, when not molting.
The Curly Hair Tarantulas average market price is approximately $50 for an unsexed adult specimen. Similarly to what is needed for the Pink Toe, a terrarium of at least 5 gallons is required, with a maximum recommended size being 10-gallons. The prices for tanks of these sizes are about $25 and $45 respectively. These tarantulas thrive with a substrate of either coconut fiber mix, or a combination of both coco fiber and vermiculite. A large bag of vermiculite can be purchased from most home improvement stores for a reasonable price. At pet stores, 24 quarts of coconut fiber can be fetched at $20 a bag, and vermiculite, $22 for two cubic feet at home depot or lowes. These tarantulas live in semi-arid grasslands which are typically free of trees, making floral decorations and plantlife inappropriate additions to their habitats. Partially buried flower pots, as well as desert, themed decorations make great, environmentally correct auditions to your spider’s habitat, acting as both hides for your spider and adding to the cages aesthetic. While small clay flower pots that cost about one dollar at nurseries are adequate to satisfy your spider, more elaborate accessories such as the WEC badlands red-rock creature hide priced at $28.99 can add a more realistic flair to your tarantula's habitat. Curly hairs can survive happily on a diet of crickets alone, however, owners may occasionally treat their adult tarantula to a pinky mouse which can be bought live, or in bulk when frozen for under 2 dollars each.
Estimated Cost For Curly Hair Tarantula And Setup: $120
Rose Hair Tarantulas
The Rose Hair Tarantula is found in South America in an area spanning from Chile to Argentina. These desert-dwelling spiders are extremely hardy and due to their docile nature, prefer smaller terrariums, making housing them much more affordable in the beginning. Able to survive the sweltering days, and cold nights in the desert, these tarantulas can happily live in homes with ambient room temperatures of 68 to 85 degrees without any added heat source or interventions to the temperature.
The cost to purchase a Rose Hair Tarantula from either an online source or pet store is usually between $19.99 and $30. Because of their low space requirements, a five-gallon terrarium, priced at about $25 is completely satisfactory for the needs of these spiders. Due to their hardiness and ability to thrive in various environments, peat moss, vermiculite, and coconut fibers all make great substrates for the terrarium of a Rose Hair. While a large bag of vermiculite can be had for about $22, and coconut fiber for $20, an 8 quart brick of compressed peat moss runs at about 8 dollars. Because the Rose Hair Tarantula lives in arid environments with scrub brush and dry foliage, decorations such as processed grapevine or driftwood can be used to simulate climbing opportunities that they might encounter in the wild. Because driftwood and grapevine are harvested from natural environments and vary in size and quality, the price varies, however a sizable piece of dried, treated grapevine typically costs about 19 dollars and about 5 dollars for the more abundant driftwood. Curly hairs typically prefer a diet of crickets, with a full-grown tarantula consuming one or two large ones per week. While most stores sell crickets at a minimum of one dollar's worth (5-10 crickets) you may be able to buy them individually for less.
Estimated Cost For Rose Hair Tarantula And Setup: $85
While purchasing a tarantula can seem a daunting, expensive task at first, most spiders share similarities in the care, terrarium size, diets, and substrates required to keep them healthy and satisfied. With knowledge of what the baseline costs for a tarantula breed and an adequate setup are, new owners can plan their budget for extras such as decorations and flora to enhance their terrarium after their spider’s basic needs have been met first.
