Tarantulas are becoming increasingly popular as pets. These fascinating creatures are low-maintenance, have unique personalities, and are visually stunning.
In this post, we’ll take a look at 9 of the most popular breeds to keep as pets, plus info on their native habitat, temperament, size, etc.
Chaco Golden Knee
Appearance & Size
Chaco Golden Knee has a dark brown and black body with golden-yellow accent markings on its knees.
They take quite a few years to grow, especially compared to other tarantulas, and can reach a diagonal leg span of up to 7-8 inches with the females measuring slightly larger.
Habitat
This terrestrial tarantula is native to the grasslands of Argentina and the sub-tropical nation of Paraguay.
Temperament
The Chaco Golden Knee is mostly docile and calm, though males tend to be a little more aggressive.
It’s best to avoid handling them too much as they can become easily stressed.
Lifespan
Male Chaco Golden Knees only live for around 6 to 7 years whilst the females can live up to an incredible 20 to 25 years with great care.
Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Appearance & Size
The Cobalt Blue Tarantula has a leg span of around 5 inches and as the name suggests, it has a bright blue coloration, which is most visible in natural sunlight.
Under artificial lighting, it may appear more black and gray.
Habitat
This species is native to the tropical rainforest floors of Southeast Asia, specifically in Myanmar and Thailand.
Temperament
Cobalt Blue Tarantulas are known for their feisty and defensive personalities.
They are not recommended for beginners, as they require an experienced and confident handler.
When threatened, this breed will raise their front legs and may bite or flick urticating hairs (these are the finely barbed hairs tarantulas possess on their abdomen, which they use as a defense mechanism when stressed or under attack).
Be cautious when dealing with these hairs, as they can trigger irritation and itching upon contact with human skin or eyes.
Lifespan
Males may live up to 10 years with great care and females can live for around 15 to 25 years.
Curly Hair Honduran
Appearance & Size
Curly Hair Honduran tarantulas have a round body covered with long bristles that have a slight curl.
Most of the bristles are a dark brown to black color, but some are golden, giving the spider an overall bronze sheen.
They have a 5-6 inch leg span and grow at quite a slow rate, with females taking at least 5 years to reach their full size.
Habitat
This species is native to the rainforest regions of Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua and can normally be found burrowing near rivers and at the base of trees.
Temperament
Curly Hair Hondurans are quite calm, docile, and even a little shy, so they appreciate gentle and infrequent handling.
Lifespan
This species has a slightly shorter life expectancy than most on this list, with males living roughly only 4 years and females living up to 8 to 10 years.
Greenbottle Blue Tarantula
Appearance & Size
Greenbottle Blue Tarantulas are a popular choice due to their stunning colors – bright blue legs, a blue-green carapace (hard upper shell of their exoskeleton), and an orange abdomen.
Males will reach a leg span of about 4 ½ inches while females may reach 6 inches.
Habitat
These tarantulas are native to the grasslands and weeded burrows of the Paraguayan peninsula in Venezuela, and can normally be found at the base of succulents such as agave and cactus.
Temperament
The personality of the Greenbottle Blue Tarantula can vary depending on the individual.
Some can be docile and easy to handle, while others may be more defensive and skittish.
Ensure to handle these tarantulas gently and always be aware of their behavior.
Lifespan
Males can expect to live for just 4 years whilst the female Greenbottle Blue may live up to 14 years or more.
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula
Appearance & Size
The Mexican Red Knee tarantula has a distinctive appearance with vibrant reddish-orange markings on the mid-section of their legs or their “knees” that contrast stunningly with their black bodies.
They can grow to be quite large, with females reaching up to 6 inches in leg span, though most male and female Red Knee tarantulas are virtually identical in size.
Habitat
In the wild, the Mexican Red Knee is found in a variety of habitats throughout Mexico including deserts, scrub lands, and tropical forests.
Temperament
This species is generally docile and considered to be one of the more beginner-friendly tarantula species.
They can be defensive if they feel threatened, and have been known to bite.
Their venom is not dangerous to humans, but the bite can be painful and cause swelling.
Lifespan
Female Mexican Red Knees may live up to 25 years with great care and males can expect to live up to 10 years.
Mexican Red Rump
Appearance & Size
This species is recognized for its eye-catching aesthetics, characterized by a black body and vibrant red hairs adorning its abdomen. The females additionally boast reddish-brown hairs on their legs.
They typically have a leg span of 4 to 5 inches though females can measure up to 6 inches.
Habitat
This species is normally found burrowing in loose moist soils in their native Yucatan peninsula, and can also be found in other parts of Central America, including Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and northeastern Costa Rica.
Temperament
The Mexican Red Rump is normally quite laid-back and not prone to biting, nonetheless, they can be skittish and may flick urticating hairs if they feel threatened, so always take care when handling.
Lifespan
Females can live between 15 and 20 years and can take up to 9 years to reach sexual maturity.
Males on the other hand typically live for up to 5 years.
Orange Baboon Tarantula
Appearance & Size
This is one of the most colorful species, making it a favorite among tarantula hobbyists.
Orange Baboon tarantulas possess a furry coat of bright orange hairs covering their entire body and legs.
They also have iridescent blue-green markings on the bottom of their feet!
This species will grow to a leg span of 5 to 6 inches in females with the males being slightly smaller.
Habitat
Orange Baboon tarantulas are native to the grasslands and rocky areas of the central, eastern, and southern parts of the African continent, particularly in Angola, Kenya, and Zambia.
Temperament
Despite their bright, happy colors, this species is known for its notoriously grumpy attitude and can be aggressive when threatened.
They are therefore not recommended for beginners or those who are not experienced with handling tarantulas!
Lifespan
This species typically has a lifespan of 5-10 years in captivity, with females living longer than males.
Pink Toe Tarantula
Appearance & Size
As its name suggests, the Pink Toe Tarantula has pink tips on its thick furry legs, which contrast beautifully with its main black coloring.
As adults, the males are slightly thinner than the females and develop a metallic blackish-blue coloring on their abdomen.
Pink Toe tarantulas exhibit a leg span ranging from 3.5 to 6 inches, with the females noticeably larger in size.
Habitat
These tarantulas are arboreal creatures, originally from the rainforest territories in the northern part of South America.
As such, a tall enclosure with plenty of branches and climbing structures will be greatly appreciated by the Pink Toe.
Temperament
This is a relatively slow-moving and docile tarantula, making it a great choice for beginners.
It can be skittish and dart off quickly if it feels scared or threatened though, so you need to be gentle and calm around them.
Lifespan
Among the list, Pink Toe tarantulas have one of the shortest lifespans. Typically, female Pink Toe tarantulas have a lifespan between 6 and 9 years, males live only for a short span of 2 to 3 years.
Rose Hair Tarantula
Appearance & Size
The beautiful Rose Hair or Chilean Rose tarantula has black to dark brownish bodies that are covered in orangey-red to rose-pink hairs.
Females have a leg span of around 5 inches whilst the males have a leg span measuring close to 3.5 inches.
Habitat
Rose Hair tarantulas can normally be found in the desert scrub regions of South America, particularly in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia.
Temperament
A very popular pet tarantula species for beginners, they are naturally very laid-back and forgiving, making them relatively easy to handle and care for.
Lifespan
You can expect female Rose Hair tarantulas to live up to 20 years or more whilst males may only live up to 5 years.
