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If you have recently got a Tarantula, or are considering getting one soon, you are going to need somewhere to house them. That’s a given. But if you have spent anytime researching online it can be a challenge to find the best way to do so. In the last couple of weeks I have spent some time investigating and fact-finding and now have a proper understanding of the best enclosures for pet tarantulas.
So, what is the best enclosure for a tarantula? The best enclosures for a pet tarantula will depend on the species. If you own a terrestrial or burrowing species that tend to stay on the ground, you will want to opt for an enclosure that is wide instead of tall. However, if you own an Arboreal tarantula, or other climbing species, you will need to get an enclosure that has height over width. Either way, terrariums make excellent choices due to the fact that they are often made of all-glass, are covered and are generally easy to clean and maintain.
A tarantulas enclosure must be sufficient to meet their needs. Their, as in the species that they are and the requirements that they have. The health of your spider is entirely reliant on your choice.
Consider that the temperature, safety, and ability to shut tight are important factors to consider when making your purchase.
So, without further ado, lets quickly cover the main questions you may likely have before moving onto the best options currently available on the market.
But if you are in a hurry, here are the top picks:
How Big Should A Tarantula Enclosure Be?
The size an enclosure needs to be for a tarantula primarily depends on the species of tarantula you own.
Some tarantulas are terrestrial or burrowing; meaning that they spend most of their time on the ground and therefore need space to roam around.
Then there are other species that spend their time climbing, such as the Arboreal species.
Either way, it is important to consider the dimensions of the enclosure, as what will be best does differ in accordance with the tarantulas style of living..
In general, the rule is that for burrowing or terrestrial species, the length of the enclosure should be at minimum three times the leg span, with the width be double the leg span.
Yet with climbing species (and Arboreal tarantulas), height is going to be required. For these, you are going to need to seek out an enclosure is taller than it is wide.
Do Tarantulas Need Big Enclosures?
Tarantulas do not need large enclosures. Bigger is not always better.
This is a common misunderstanding from new tarantula owners, where they assume that the more space they can provide the better. But, we have to consider the instinctive tendencies of tarantulas to realize that they are not social by nature.
Furthermore, larger enclosures mean that it will be harder for your tarantula to find their food; which is going to be of utmost importance to ensure they get all of the nutrition they need.
Instead, there are a number of important features an enclosure needs to ensure it is fit for purpose and suitable. We will now briefly discuss these below:
Features A Tarantula Enclosure Needs
Perhaps the most important decision you will make for your tarantula is where they will be spending most of its time.
The enclosure that you choose for your tarantula will be its environment, so it needs to have all the features necessary to support their health and way of life. In order for an enclosure to be a a good artificial habitat, it needs:
Ventilation
Tarantulas breathe the air and require access to oxygen, just like any living creature. As such, the enclosure must be naturally well ventilated. This should also help to support and control a more optimal temperature.
Space
There should be sufficient space for a tarantula to roam, be it on the ground or climb up above. Equally there should not be an overabundance of space as this too is not ideal.
Secure
Many tarantula owners report of their spiders going missing with inappropriate enclosures. Believe it or not, these can be real escape artists. Therefore the enclosure must be secure enough to prevent escape.
For arboreal tarantulas, a lid or cover is pretty much essential.
Durable
When buying an enclosure, you want it to last and to look pristine for years to come. You will be spending a lot of time looking at your tarantula, so you want to be able to easily see them. Glass is the preferred material, as opposed to plastic.
Accessible
You will need to clean out the enclosure regularly, so being able to easily open and get to all the areas is going to save a lot of time and hassle. Openings, that open easily but can be fastened are ideal, so that substrate can be more easily replaced.
Tarantula Enclosure Reviews
This section will take a closer look at each enclosure. You’ll be able to find out the features, pros and cons of each one.
Hopefully, you’ll have no problems when it comes to selecting the right one for your tarantula.
These are some of the most well-received and best reviewed products currently available. As you will soon see below:
Exo Terra Short All Glass Terrarium (18 x 18 x 12″)
First up is the Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium, which is available in both low (30cm) and tall (60cm) versions. This makes it an ideal choice for both terrestrial, burrowing and arboreal tarantulas.
It looks absolutely fantastic, with a stainless steel mesh cover and provides great visibility at all times due to its open design.
It has an easy to use, yet secure and lockable, double opening window which makes it easy to access, provide food and replace substrate as and when required.
Pros
- Separate door opening mechanism.
- Full screen top ventilation; completely removable for additional access while decorating or cleaning.
- In the back of the screen cover there are 5 closable wire or tube inlets (on both sides) to install added features and items.
- The high fixed front window is ideal for thick layers of substrate
Cons
- Relatively heavy at 12.5 kg
Carolina Custom Cages Terrarium (24 x 18 x 18)
A slightly more premium version, but an excellent choice nonetheless. Carolina Custom Cages are a brand that are renown for their high quality enclosures.
It is very easy to set up with minimal assembly steps.
Again, this is an enclosure that provides great visibility while also providing an all-natural looking back panel.
This enclosure features key lock security, while also two hinged opening windows that provide easy access both in and out.
This specific easy to assemble option, equally provides two opening hinged doors for easy access. The stainless steel mesh cover further provides protection, ventilation and safety.
Pros
- Premium design; high quality materials
- Screen top is very well made,
- Easy opening/closing while also being very secure.
- Door key can be hung directly on the enclosure for easy access.
- Simple assembly; delivered quickly.
Cons
- More expensive option.
Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium (8 x 8 x 8″)
The Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium (8 x 8 x 8″) is another excellent option. Its very functional, despite being the smallest enclosure presented in this list.
It comes with a front window ventilation mechanism and escape proof dual locks while equally being easy to access.
This enclosure comes with an all-natural looking background that blend and match any of the additional Terra reptile décor items that you may want to provide for your tarantula. This makes it ideal for creating a realistic environment.
Plus, this enclosure enables a climbing decor dimension making it perfect for the natural tendencies of tarantulas
Pros
- Excellent safety and security rating with escape-proof dual locks.
- Waterproof base,
- Excellent ventilation,
- Ability to create a more natural and matching environment with other same-colored accessories.
Cons
- Background is made of Styrofoam and is hence, not the most durable.
Exo Terra Rainforest Habitat
This full glass enclosure is a great option for your tarantula. It provides excellent visibility while equally meeting all of a spiders requirements for ventilation, security, lighting and safety.
As the name suggests, this is a kit, providing you with all you need right away for your tarantula. So, one of the major advantages of this option is the lighting system which comes included. This helps to support natural lighting patterns while also supporting the temperature within the enclosure.
This terrarium has dual front doors to make it fully accessible, plus you get a range of decoration items including substrate, jungle vines and jungle rope.
Pros
- Complete package, including all glass terrarium, lighting system and decoration items,
- Instruction manual is included to guide you through the process of installation, decoration and maintenance
- High quality and authentic.
Cons
- No returns or refunds available
REPTI ZOO Glass Natural Terrarium (20 x 12 x 10″)
The final enclosure on the list is the highly reviewed glass natural terrarium by REPTI ZOO.
Dimension wise, this is pretty much perfect for all land based and terrestrial tarantulas. It makes the list despite not being ideal for Arboreal tarantulas.
However, it comes in at a great price and provides a unique 360 degree view of the entire landscape. Therefore it has the best visibility out of all the options.
The full screen top is ideal for providing ventilation, along with necessary light to the enclosure underneath.
The opening is a ‘lift and pull’ making it secure without the need for safety locks. It also comes with feeding holes in the cover, which look great and also make it very functional.
Pros
- Amazons Choice with hundreds of positive reviews,
- Easy installation and setup
- 360 degree visibility
- Unique design can be easily dis-assembled for transportation.
- Feeding holes in cover for easy use.
- Stackable design if you wanted to keep more than one tarantula.
Cons
- Owners need to be extra careful when closing and ensuring it is shut tight.
Finally
Getting a new enclosure for your tarantula does not need to be difficult.
That being said, its an important decision as it is where you tarantula will be spending the majority of the time in your care.
Therefore, investing in a durable, safe, and easy-to-maintain enclosure is simply a must for owning this kind of exotic pet.
Besides, they do poop and make a mess, after all.
I hope that this buyers guide helped you to identify the best type, style and design of enclosure. Remember, there are certain features that are a must; including ventilation and size.
Ultimately, you will not go wrong with any of the choices on the list. They are all here for a reason!
Related Questions
How Big Do Tarantulas Get?
The final size tarantulas will get depends on the species. However, they typically range and average between 4-11 inches (with the measurement taken from the front leg to the opposing back leg). They typically weigh between 25 to 85 grams when at full adult size.
Can You Put Two Tarantulas Together?
It is not recommended to keep two tarantulas together. This is because tarantulas are not social, instead, they are cannibalistic by nature. This means that they will attempt to kill and eat one another if you do so. The only exception is if you were attempting to mate a male and female tarantula. However, even then close supervision is required, and leaving them unattended is not advised.
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.