Can a simple drive down to your nearest PetSmart be all that it takes to get you the tarantula you are desperately looking for? Does this nationwide pet store sell such spiders? Here is what you’ll want to know.

So, does PetSmart sell tarantulas? PetSmart sells three different species of tarantulas (American Curly-Haired, Mexican Red-Knee, and Pink Toe) as part of their live reptile range. However, tarantulas are only available in some specific stores, and you cannot purchase them online either. Seasonal availability often means stores go out of stock regularly too.

Good news, and bad news, I suppose.

But thankfully, you do not need to visit any store unnecessarily.

You can always phone ahead to check first.

Or better still, you can always use the on-site store finder functionality to check for the availability of each species at each store.

All you need to do is head to the product listing page of any of the species and click on the “check nearby stores button.”

That will do a lot of the work for you.

Nonetheless, you probably still have some questions about acquiring this particular pet from this particular store.

So, let’s now run through the main ones commonly asked to help you throughout the process.

How Much Does A Tarantula Cost At PetSmart?

A tarantula at PetSmart costs between $27.99-$69.99 – depending on the species that you decide to get.

Here is the price for each species, from the cheapest to the most expensive:

Pink Toe Tarantula – $27.99
American Curly Tarantula – $39.99
Mexican Red – $69.99

So as you can see, it does range somewhat.

And consider that this is just the price of the tarantula – you’ll likely have other costs to consider too.

As a new first-time owner, you need to consider their enclosure, substrate, decor, and food too.

And depending on the species, heaters and thermometers will be required too.

Now, of course, it does make sense to get them at PetSmart.

But remember, it’s not your only option.

Even if it is quicker and easier.

Especially in the beginning when you need the items to house and take care of your tarantula when you get home.

Or, if you plan ahead, you can always order from Amazon ahead of time.

There is prime, after all.

And the supply range is extensive, too; just see how many products they have for these spiders specifically here.

But, for your reference, here is a general estimation of what you can expect to pay, on top of the cost of a tarantula.

At least for new owners.

Some of you may have these already.

And these are just average prices after all:

Enclosure – $20-$200, on average.
Heater – $10-$20
Thermometer – $10
Food Bowls/Accessories– $5-$10
Food – $10
Enclosure Decor – $5-$10 apiece
Enclosure Substrate – $5-$20

Now once you have most of these, you’ll just have a few ongoing costs – like food.

Now, as solitary creatures, if you are looking to own more than one tarantula, then consider you will need to purchase 2x enclosures and all required accessories too.

How Long Do Tarantulas From PetSmart Live?

Tarantulas from PetSmart typically live for 4-20 years, depending on the species and depending on how well they are cared for and kept.

Below, I break down the life expectancy for each species that PetSmart sells:

Tarantula Species	Life Expectancy
Pink Toe	Males: 3/4 years Females: 8-12 years
American Curly	Males: ~ 5 years Females: 20-25 years
Mexican Red	Males: ~ 10 years Females: 20-30 years

As you can see, a huge range in the expected lifespan of each species.

And even more interesting – males live a considerably shorter amount of time than females.

So do bear this in mind.

3/4 years for a male Pink Toe requires a considerably different type and amount of care than a female Mexican Red.

So just consider this when purchasing from PetSmart, or any other pet store/breeder for that matter.

Either way, when owning any species or gender – it is essential to provide proper care and conditions at all times.

So you need to purchase a decently sized enclosure, optimize the environment, provide the right kind of substrate and food.

Some species require humidity and misting – whereas others don’t.

These are the kind of things you need to research.

Essentially, once you select a species, you need to look closely at how they need to be kept.

How Big Are Tarantulas At PetSmart?

Tarantulas at PetSmart typically measure between 4-6 inches (10-15 cm), on average. However, there are exceptions to the rule here.

The truth is, it’s impossible to give an exact estimation as it differs by species, age, and gender.

One thing you can expect, however, is that females are generally slightly larger than their male counterparts.

And regardless of their size, it’s imperative that you obtain an enclosure large enough for roaming.

And as previously mentioned, that these pets are kept alone.

Can I Get Supplies For My Tarantula At PetSmart?

PetSmart sells a small range of supplies that are specifically designed for tarantulas. At the same time, you can also purchase supplies that are suitable for most live reptiles that live in a similar environment/natural habitat.

While their needs are different than most reptiles’, there is a lot of overlap here.

Especially when it comes to supplies such as a substrate.

For instance, they sell ‘Thrive Cypress Mulch Reptile Bedding,’ which is suitable for any reptile living in a terrarium.

One thing I did notice is that, at least at the time of writing, there are only six different products that appear with a search for ‘tarantulas’ on the site.

With three being listing for each species.

So, if you are looking for your supplies from PetSmart online, you may need to be a little creative with what you search for or know specifically what you need.

Otherwise, be sure to ask in the store if you do decide to visit.

The staff should be willing and able to help when it comes to product recommendations and advice on what you need to buy.

Finally

Three different species of tarantulas are available at PetSmart.

Great news.

But with options comes the need for a decision.

It does mean that you need to identify a species that is best for you.

And each species is quite unique – not just in how they look, their size, and their lifespan, but how they are cared for too.

So do take this into consideration before opting for just any species you like the look of.

And if you were to find that your nearest PetSmart does not sell tarantulas, is out of stock, or you just don’t have the time to travel further afield to get to a store that does have some available, then you do have other options.

Whether it’s another large pet retailer, such as Petco, a more specialist exotic pet store, or even a local breeder.

But just be sure to do your due diligence on them.

The benefits of going through PetSmart are that they are vet assured and provide their PetSmart promise.

Both policies help to ensure you get a healthy tarantula or get a refund/replacement in the instance where you were to not.

Not always the case elsewhere.

And lastly, just consider what you are committing to here.

25-30 years is a long time to look after any pet.

And that’s potentially the position you may find yourself in with a female, for instance.

Wondering what other pets PetSmart sells? Check out my other guides below to find out!

Jeremy Williams

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.

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