Tarantula Handling Guide
Handling is one of the most debated topics in tarantula keeping. Some keepers handle their spiders regularly; others never do. Neither approach is wrong — but understanding the risks, the spider's perspective, and the correct technique is essential before picking up any tarantula. This guide covers everything you need to handle a tarantula safely and responsibly.
Should You Handle Your Tarantula?
Tarantulas do not benefit from handling the way mammals do. They do not form bonds with their keepers, do not enjoy being held, and experience handling as a potential threat. The primary reason to handle a tarantula is for the keeper's enjoyment or for necessary husbandry tasks like rehousing. Routine handling is not recommended for any tarantula, but occasional, calm handling of appropriate species carries manageable risk when done correctly.
Which Species Are Suitable for Handling?
Not all tarantulas are equally suitable for handling. New World terrestrial species with calm temperaments are the most appropriate choices for new keepers. Old World species — which tend to be faster, more defensive, and more likely to bite without warning — should not be handled by inexperienced keepers. Arboreal species such as Pink Toes are capable of sudden jumps and rapid movement, making accidental falls or escapes more likely during handling.
Among beginner species, the following are generally considered the most handleable:
- Curly Hair Tarantula — widely regarded as the calmest and most tolerant of handling
- Chaco Golden Knee — slow-moving and rarely defensive
- Mexican Red Knee — calm but may flick urticating hairs when stressed
- Chilean Rose — generally docile, though individual temperament varies
- Brazilian Black — calm and slow-moving for most individuals
Even within calm species, individual temperament varies. Always assess the spider's mood before attempting to handle.
Reading Body Language
A tarantula communicates its comfort level through posture and movement. Learning to read these signals is the most important handling skill.
- Calm and relaxed: Moving slowly, legs in a natural resting position, no threat posture. Safe to attempt handling.
- Flicking urticating hairs: Rubbing the hind legs against the abdomen. The spider is mildly stressed. Proceed with caution or return it to the enclosure.
- Threat posture: Rearing up on the hind legs with the front legs raised and fangs visible. This is a clear warning. Do not attempt to handle. Give the spider space and time to calm down.
- Rapid movement: Sudden fast movement in any direction. The spider is startled or defensive. Stop and allow it to settle before continuing.
When Not to Handle
There are specific situations where handling should always be avoided:
- Pre-molt: A spider in pre-molt is stressed and fragile. Its exoskeleton is softening in preparation for the molt. Handling can cause injury or trigger a premature molt.
- Post-molt: The new exoskeleton takes 1–2 weeks to fully harden. A post-molt tarantula is extremely vulnerable to injury. Do not handle for at least 2 weeks after a molt.
- After feeding: Avoid handling for a day or two after a meal. Disturbing a recently fed tarantula can cause unnecessary stress and increases the chance of an accidental fall.
- When the spider is in threat posture: Never attempt to handle a tarantula that is displaying defensive behavior.
- Old World species: These species are faster, less predictable, and more likely to bite. They are not appropriate for routine handling.
Handling Technique
The safest way to pick up a tarantula is to encourage it to walk onto your hand rather than grabbing it. Place your open hand flat in front of the spider and gently guide it from behind with a soft paintbrush or by lightly touching the rear legs to encourage it to walk forward. Never grab a tarantula from above — this mimics a predator attack and will trigger a defensive response.
Once the spider is on your hand, keep your movements slow and predictable. Allow the spider to walk from hand to hand if it wants to move. Stay seated or close to a flat surface at all times — a fall from even a short height can be fatal, particularly for heavy-bodied terrestrial species.
Urticating Hairs
Most New World tarantulas possess urticating hairs on the abdomen — barbed hairs that are flicked toward a threat as a defense mechanism. These hairs cause skin irritation ranging from mild itching to significant rash depending on the individual's sensitivity. Eye contact is more serious and can cause lasting irritation.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling any New World tarantula.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, during or after handling.
- If urticating hairs contact your eyes, rinse with clean water and seek medical advice if irritation persists.
- A bald patch on the abdomen indicates the spider has been flicking hairs — a sign of stress. Reduce handling frequency.
Bites
Tarantula bites are rare when handling is done correctly and the spider's body language is respected. Most New World species will flick urticating hairs as a first defense rather than biting. Bites from New World species are generally comparable to a bee sting — painful but not medically significant for most people. Old World species have more potent venom and should not be handled.
If bitten, clean the wound thoroughly, monitor for allergic reaction, and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or if you have a known sensitivity to insect venom.
Handling and Stress
Even calm tarantulas experience handling as a stressor. Keep sessions short — a few minutes at most — and return the spider to its enclosure as soon as it shows signs of stress. Frequent or prolonged handling can increase stress, encourage urticating hair flicking, and may temporarily reduce feeding response in some individuals.