Choosing Your Striped Knee Tarantula
Bringing a striped knee tarantula into your home is an exciting venture. These beautiful creatures, with their striking black and white striped legs, make fascinating pets. However, before you welcome one, it’s crucial to understand their specific needs to ensure their well-being. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of caring for your striped knee tarantula, from selecting the right specimen to maintaining a suitable environment.
Where to Buy Your Tarantula
The first step is finding a reputable source. Local reptile stores specializing in invertebrates are often a good starting point. These stores typically have knowledgeable staff who can offer advice. Online breeders and specialty retailers are another option. When choosing, prioritize breeders with good reviews and a commitment to ethical practices. Avoid purchasing from pet stores that do not specialize in exotic pets, as the animals may be stressed or improperly cared for.
What to Look For
When selecting your tarantula, observe its behavior and appearance. A healthy striped knee tarantula should be active and alert, not sluggish or lethargic. Check for any missing limbs or damage. The abdomen should be plump, not shrunken, indicating it’s well-fed. Look for clean, shiny exoskeletons. A tarantula that readily displays defensive postures, like raising its front legs, is also a good sign of vitality. Avoid tarantulas that appear weak, have a sunken abdomen, or show signs of parasites.
Setting Up the Perfect Striped Knee Tarantula Habitat
Creating the right environment is paramount to your tarantula’s health and happiness. Striped knee tarantulas are terrestrial species, meaning they live on the ground, so their enclosure should reflect this. The setup needs to provide adequate space, proper temperature, humidity, and enrichment.
Terrarium Size
The enclosure should be large enough for the tarantula to move freely but not so large that it feels overwhelmed. A general guideline is to provide a space roughly three times the tarantula’s leg span in width and length. For a juvenile, a 10-gallon tank is often sufficient. As they grow, you’ll need to upgrade to a larger terrarium, such as a 20-gallon long tank or even larger for adult females. Ensure the enclosure has a secure lid to prevent escape.
Substrate Selection
The substrate forms the base of the habitat. It should retain moisture, allow the tarantula to burrow, and be non-toxic. Popular choices include a mix of coco fiber, peat moss, and a small amount of vermiculite. This combination provides good moisture retention and allows the tarantula to create burrows. Avoid using soil from your yard, as it may contain harmful chemicals or parasites. The substrate depth should be at least 4-6 inches to allow for burrowing.
Temperature and Humidity
Striped knee tarantulas thrive in a specific temperature and humidity range. The ideal temperature is between 75-85°F (24-29°C). Use a heat source such as an under-tank heater (UTH) or a low-wattage heat lamp. Monitor the temperature with a digital thermometer. Humidity should be maintained between 60-70%. Achieve this by lightly misting the enclosure with dechlorinated water every few days or as needed, depending on your climate and the substrate’s moisture content. Avoid over-misting, which can lead to mold growth.
Essential Enclosure Decor
Provide hiding places to reduce stress and make the tarantula feel secure. Cork bark, half logs, or artificial caves are excellent choices. Arrange these items to create a varied environment. Include a shallow water dish with clean, fresh water at all times. Place it in a location that won’t be easily fouled. A small amount of sphagnum moss can also be added to help maintain humidity and provide a natural look.
Feeding Your Striped Knee Tarantula
Feeding your striped knee tarantula properly is essential for its health. They are opportunistic predators, and their diet typically consists of insects.
What to Feed
The primary food source should be live insects. Crickets, mealworms, and roaches are all suitable options. Vary the diet to provide a range of nutrients. Ensure the insects are gut-loaded, meaning they are fed nutritious food before being offered to the tarantula. This enhances the nutritional value of the meal. Avoid feeding wild-caught insects, as they may carry pesticides or parasites.
Feeding Frequency
Feeding frequency depends on the tarantula’s age and size. Spiderlings and juveniles should be fed two to three times a week. Adults can be fed once a week or even less frequently. Observe your tarantula’s abdomen size. If it’s plump, it’s well-fed. Remove any uneaten prey within 24 hours to prevent stress and potential injury to the tarantula.
Watering Your Tarantula
Clean, fresh water is crucial. Always provide a shallow water dish. The dish should be shallow enough to prevent drowning. Ensure the water is clean and replace it regularly. In addition to the water dish, misting the enclosure can also provide hydration and maintain humidity.
Handling and Interaction
While striped knee tarantulas are captivating creatures, they are not typically pets that enjoy being handled. They can be skittish and defensive. Approach handling with caution and respect for the tarantula’s boundaries.
Safe Handling Practices
If you must handle your tarantula, do so only when necessary and with utmost care. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling. Avoid handling after applying hand lotions or using soaps that may leave residues. Handle the tarantula close to a soft surface, like a bed or the floor, to minimize the risk of injury if it falls. Use a gentle approach, and avoid sudden movements or loud noises that may startle the spider.
Understanding Tarantula Behavior
Observe your tarantula’s behavior to understand its mood. A tarantula may display defensive postures, such as raising its front legs or flicking urticating hairs if it feels threatened. Avoid any action that provokes this response. Respect the tarantula’s space, and recognize that it prefers to be left undisturbed. Handling should be limited to situations where absolutely necessary, such as a habitat cleaning or health check.
Health and Common Issues
Maintaining a healthy environment is key to preventing health problems. Regular observation and prompt action when necessary are essential for providing a long and comfortable life for your tarantula.
Recognizing a Healthy Tarantula
A healthy striped knee tarantula will be active, alert, and have a plump abdomen. Its exoskeleton should be shiny and free of any damage. The tarantula should move easily and not show signs of weakness. It should also readily eat its food. Be observant of the tarantula’s posture, movement, and overall appearance. Any changes in these areas can indicate a health issue.
Common Health Problems
Some common issues include mites, fungal infections, and injuries. Mites can infest the tarantula and its enclosure. They are often visible as tiny, moving specks. If you notice mites, isolate the tarantula and clean the enclosure thoroughly. Fungal infections can occur in high-humidity environments. Reduce humidity and improve ventilation if you suspect a fungal infection. Injuries can occur if the tarantula falls or encounters sharp objects. Provide a suitable enclosure environment and be cautious when handling. If you observe any health problems, seek advice from an experienced tarantula keeper or a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals.
Shedding and Molting
Shedding, or molting, is a natural process in which the tarantula sheds its exoskeleton. It is essential for growth. During this time, the tarantula may appear lethargic, refuse food, and may flip onto its back. Do not disturb the tarantula during molting. Provide a humid environment to help the process. After molting, the tarantula’s new exoskeleton will be soft. Give it some time to harden before resuming normal feeding. Molting frequency decreases as the tarantula ages, but it remains a regular event in their lives. Ensure the tarantula has enough space to successfully molt and recover.
Caring for a striped knee tarantula is a rewarding experience. By providing a suitable habitat, proper feeding, and understanding their behavior, you can enjoy these fascinating creatures for years to come. Remember to always research and learn more about these amazing invertebrates. Enjoy the journey of owning your pet.