Minimal time for my tarantula.

d4rlingscup1d

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 7, 2025
Messages
0
I was given a Tarantula (Mexican-redlegged tarantula) by my half-sister’s mom, since she was no longer aloud to keep them! At the time of obtaining him, I was extremely excited and so were the members of my household. The thing is, we don’t have much time for something that isn’t a mammal or a reptile. Why? In my household, we have cats and dogs. Like the usual household. We also have reptiles, the household members who pay for things focus more on the reptile side of things rather than on the arachnid side. It’s very hard to get anything for him, like food. I have to clean his tank soon and I doubt they’d get what I need in time for me to clean it, hence my worry.

Here’s a photo of him in the tank he was given to me with! His name is Pennywise.
IMG_5286.jpeg
 

Ratmosphere

Arachnoking
Active Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
2,773
Lucky you, tarantulas don't need much at all. Just make sure the abdomen is fat and they have water. You will hardly ever need to clean the tank, except for spot cleaning.

One of the easiest pets to take care of.
 

Andrew Clayton

ArachnoHelper
Arachnosupporter
Joined
Dec 19, 2018
Messages
927
What exactly do you mean by getting you stuff to clean it? Do you mean change the substrate? Or just cleaning the enclosure?
I've had T's on the same substrate for years, it's something that doesn't really get changed unless you are rehousing the T.
If you just mean clean the enclosure, you don't want to use any chemicals or that anyway, a was paper towel to wipe it down then a dry one to dry it off.
 

cold blood

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
13,573
Tarantula enclosures don't need to be cleaned in a wholesale manner, it's just spot cleaning, so there is no need for supplies. They also require very minimal food, both in amount and frequency, and they aren't picky, so anything bought for the reptiles will almost certainly suffice.

There is no simpler animal to own, with more minimalist needs than a tarantula.
 

fcat

Arachnoangel
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Jan 1, 2023
Messages
903
This may sound rude but it’s not…tarantulas don’t care about us at all. They just want to be left alone. It’s not like a cat or dog that is a social animal and needs attention/affection or interaction/bonding time with a human.

They are the easiest pets to take care of!

If you are going to change anything I recommend you remove all that moss. You can add fresh dirt but I’ve never needed to change mine out.
 

Mustafa67

Arachnobaron
Active Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2021
Messages
426
I was given a Tarantula (Mexican-redlegged tarantula) by my half-sister’s mom, since she was no longer aloud to keep them! At the time of obtaining him, I was extremely excited and so were the members of my household. The thing is, we don’t have much time for something that isn’t a mammal or a reptile. Why? In my household, we have cats and dogs. Like the usual household. We also have reptiles, the household members who pay for things focus more on the reptile side of things rather than on the arachnid side. It’s very hard to get anything for him, like food. I have to clean his tank soon and I doubt they’d get what I need in time for me to clean it, hence my worry.

Here’s a photo of him in the tank he was given to me with! His name is Pennywise.
View attachment 498192
Hi Pennywise, you’re cute
 

d4rlingscup1d

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 7, 2025
Messages
0
What exactly do you mean by getting you stuff to clean it? Do you mean change the substrate? Or just cleaning the enclosure?
I've had T's on the same substrate for years, it's something that doesn't really get changed unless you are rehousing the T.
If you just mean clean the enclosure, you don't want to use any chemicals or that anyway, a was paper towel to wipe it down then a dry one to dry it off.
I’ve heard/been told that it’s good to clean the tank every few months, full cleaning with no chemicals just a scrub with water.

Lucky you, tarantulas don't need much at all. Just make sure the abdomen is fat and they have water. You will hardly ever need to clean the tank, except for spot cleaning.

One of the easiest pets to take care of.
I’ve been told it’s good to do a full clean every few months, no chemicals involved.
 

AphonopelmaTX

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
1,951
For this species, all you need is about an hour a month to care for it properly. Maybe less than that. You just need to make sure that it has clean drinking water on a regular basis, which only takes a few minutes a week. Of course an hour a month for care doesn't include travel time to the nearest pet supply store for a couple of crickets.
 

Mike41793

Arachnoknight
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
270
as others said no need to clean. Just remove the leftover waste after feeding. They're fairly tidy and pack it up like a little ball. For this species and size, once a month would be totally fine to feed. Tbh it would probably be fine every two months even. As long as the abdomen is about the same size as the carapace it's good to go. If it's butt ends up looking skinny then it's dinner time. Just fill the water dish once a week and enjoy
 

viper69

ArachnoGod
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
19,159
I own all sorts of reptiles- not a single one required less time than a T to take care of properly.
 

d4rlingscup1d

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 7, 2025
Messages
0
For this species, all you need is about an hour a month to care for it properly. Maybe less than that. You just need to make sure that it has clean drinking water on a regular basis, which only takes a few minutes a week. Of course an hour a month for care doesn't include travel time to the nearest pet supply store for a couple of crickets.
That makes more sense. I do know they can go a “bit” without eating, it’s just the fact of not feeding them when I normally would that worries me sometimes if that makes sense.

I own all sorts of reptiles- not a single one required less time than a T to take care of properly.
As I mentioned in my post, I live with others that pay for things. I don’t pay for the things that are bought for my reptiles, etc. I do only if I am given the cash to. That’s because I live with my family, I am a minor. It’s hard to be able to keep up with certain things when my parents are more interested in reptiles than arachnids, even if I push for it. If I push for something like crickets to be bought before/near the normal feeding day…they’re not bought for some time after. If I push for some mice bought for my snake? They’re bought as soon as possible. If you get what I’m trying to say…
 

viper69

ArachnoGod
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
19,159
As I mentioned in my post, I live with others that pay for things. I don’t pay for the things that are bought for my reptiles, etc. I do only if I am given the cash to. That’s because I live with my family, I am a minor. It’s hard to be able to keep up with certain things when my parents are more interested in reptiles than arachnids, even if I push for it. If I push for something like crickets to be bought before/near the normal feeding day…they’re not bought for some time after. If I push for some mice bought for my snake? They’re bought as soon as possible. If you get what I’m trying to say…
Yes I lived that life once- glad it’s over

Maybe you could trade in your family for family unit 2.0 ;)
 

cold blood

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
13,573
A single cricket will cost about 25 cents...and it will only need to be fed a few times a month....so you're looking at a buck or less a month...even a minor can swing that....and tarantulas don't need to be fed on any kind of schedule.
 

d4rlingscup1d

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 7, 2025
Messages
0
A single cricket will cost about 25 cents...and it will only need to be fed a few times a month....so you're looking at a buck or less a month...even a minor can swing that....and tarantulas don't need to be fed on any kind of schedule.
I’m highly aware they don’t need a schedule. I have a schedule, therefore a feeding has to fit in with what I do in my day. I also do not get an allowance like “every” teen does. There are many factors to consider by the way!

Yes I lived that life once- glad it’s over

Maybe you could trade in your family for family unit 2.0 ;)
And that’s supposed to meannnnn? 😐
 

Ratmosphere

Arachnoking
Active Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
2,773
I’m highly aware they don’t need a schedule. I have a schedule, therefore a feeding has to fit in with what I do in my day. I also do not get an allowance like “every” teen does. There are many factors to consider by the way!
Feed it when you feed your reptiles, BOOM, done!
 

d4rlingscup1d

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 7, 2025
Messages
0
Feed it when you feed your reptiles, BOOM, done!
I do…I also do my best to feed him on the same day as I feed my snake. I just hardly can because what is needed is never bought in the proper amount of time, or in the amount that needed. I’d prefer if you didn’t assume…I don’t have my license yet. There is much I can’t do. When I say I’m a minor, please let many “what ifs” run through your head so you can consider multiple things. I’m being as polite as possible, no need to get any sort of way.
 

Ratmosphere

Arachnoking
Active Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
2,773
I'm not getting any way at all, we are all trying to help you.
 
Last edited:

Wolfram1

Arachnoprince
Active Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2018
Messages
1,612
I just hardly can because what is needed is never bought in the proper amount of time, or in the amount that needed.
this is a confusing sentence as it is not clear what you are describing.

have you considered getting some mealworms as feeders and farming them yourself? All you would need to keep them going is oats and some vegetable scrap.

your folk should be able to get you some when they visit whatever store they get the animal feed from.
 

cold blood

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
13,573
this is a confusing sentence as it is not clear what you are describing.

have you considered getting some mealworms as feeders and farming them yourself? All you would need to keep them going is oats and some vegetable scrap.

your folk should be able to get you some when they visit whatever store they get the animal feed from.
Heck a small container of mealworms can be stored in the fridge and could last up to 6 months.
 
Top