PetSmart Tarantulas 2023: What You Need To Know

As an amateur arachnid enthusiast for over 5 years, I regularly receive questions from budding tarantula lovers about where and how to find their ideal eight-legged companion. Pet stores like PetSmart offer an accessible starting point – but are their tarantulas a good fit for first-timers? Here‘s my in-depth perspective.

Overview: Tarantulas as Pets

Tarantulas are growing in popularity due to their exotic look, relatively simple care needs, and long 10-30 year lifespans. Just under 5% of US households own a tarantula, up from 3.2% in 2018 according to the American Pet Products Association.

What makes tarantulas ideal beginner pets?

Pros

• Affordable purchase cost and upkeep
• Easy, low-maintenance care compared to dogs/cats
• Fascinating behaviors and physical changes during molts
• Minimal space requirements
• Long-lived

Cons

• New handling risks like urticating hairs and bites
• Specific temperature/humidity needs
• Picky eaters (live insects often required)
• Delicate during molting

Making an informed decision when selecting your first tarantula is critical – let‘s see how PetSmart measures up as a source.

Availability: PetSmart Tarantula Species

PetSmart provides 3 starter-friendly tarantula species perfect for novice owners:

These species cover some of the most popular "pet" tarantulas available today. Specialty stores will offer more exotic varieties like Cobalt Blues, Singapore Blues, similar to dogs versus wolves.

I‘ve observed Mexican Redknees sold at my local Austin PetSmart to be active, alert spiders that appear healthy and well-fed. No noticeable physical defects present upon visual examinations.

Ethical sourcing is claimed, but secondary research reveals [mixed evidence on breeding conditions]. This merits close evaluation before purchase.

Cost Considerations

Here‘s a breakdown of typical costs for a first-time PetSmart tarantula owner:

With the spider itself costing $30-$70 bucks, habitat set-up drives up the total expense. But compared to traditional pets that require recurring food/medical costs, tarantulas offer more affordability long-term.

Pro Tip: Don‘t forget to budget for emergency medical fees in case of injury during handling or falls. This averages around $150 per major incident.

5 Key Tips for New PetSmart Tarantula Owners

As an experienced tarantula owner and hobbyist, I want to pass along my top 5 tips for first-timing buyers at PetSmart:

1. Ask associates for advice – PetSmart staff can provide guidance on ideal habitat set-ups, handling techniques, molting issues, diet, and other key areas.

2. Read up before buying – Understand temperature regulation, humidity maintenance, appropriate substrate, hides, plants and other habitat components before purchase.

3. Purchase backup supplies – Get extras like backup heat mats/bulbs, hygrometers, extra substrate bags, and feeding tools. Molts and other issues can appear suddenly.

4. Consider adult tarantulas – Adult tarantulas may cost more upfront but skip the delicate baby phase that proves difficult for some novice owners.

5. Utilize return policies – If health or behavior issues emerge shortly after purchase, PetSmart provides a 14-day return policy to swap out your tarantula.

Follow these tips and you‘ll avoid many pitfalls I see with excited new spider owners. PetSmart can serve as a great starting point on your tarantula journey with the right diligence.

For more on buying tarantulas, see my in-depth care guides and recommendations: [Links to guides…]

Hope this helps explain what to expect when purchasing tarantulas from PetSmart in 2024! Let me know if you have any other questions.