A ground-living tarantula needs a low enclosure, ideally no taller than its body is long, because it can injure itself in a tall one. It needs no heat lamp, heat pad or UV light: room heat is usually enough.
What do you need?
What to get
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Which tarantulas
RVC’s tarantula care sheet covers several species, including the Mexican red-knee (Brachypelma smithi) and the Chilean rose (Grammostola rosea), and its height rule is for ground-living species.
Enclosure
Keep each tarantula on its own, since they eat each other. Glass and plastic containers suit them best; avoid mesh tops, which can catch their feet. RVC gives no length or width, only the height: no more than the spider’s body length for a ground-living species.
Temperature and humidity
Many sources give 23–30 °C (74–88 °F), RVC notes, but extra heat beyond room heating in winter isn’t normally needed. Heat lamps and heat pads are unnatural and can dry out the substrate and the spider. About 60–65% humidity suits most species, checked with an accurate hygrometer. Spray the substrate to keep it up, and never mist the spider directly.
Light
No UV lighting is needed.
Substrate
Vermiculite, sold at garden centers, is safe for spiders from dry or humid places. Sand is too abrasive and can damage the spider’s cuticle.
Everyday diet
Offer captive bred insects: several kinds of cricket, locusts, Musca flies, Drosophila fruit flies for young spiders, and wax worms in small amounts. Give water in a shallow dish.
Hairs and bites
Some species, including the Goliath bird eater and the Mexican red-knee, release irritating hairs in defence. Wear latex gloves and eye protection, since some people get severe skin reactions and breathing difficulties from them. Every spider can give a nasty bite.