Do tarantulas make good pets for small kids?

My 2 year old son loves spiders and I'm thinking about getting him a pet tarantula for his 3rd birthday. They are docile animals and if cared for should make good pets right? Has anyone ever had a pet tarantula and a small child? Which type of tarantula would you recommend?Do tarantulas make good pets for small kids?They are very interesting to watch and some are very beautiful too.

They can make excellent and low maintenence pets, but i wouldnt suggest getting one to handle, especially with a child as young as your son.



Children often do not know their own strength. They can and do kill small animals without even meaning to. As tough as they look, tarantulas are actually very delicate animals. Flinch and drop one of the floor while handling and it'll die.

Even the most docile species can bite, and have a habit of flicking their irritating hairs.



Female tarantulas can live upwards of 20 years though, so getting your son one now would give him a great pet to 'grow up with', but again i wouldnt recommend handling until he is a good few years older.



Chilean rose tarantulas are one of the most common species. They are a non-aggressive species, dont grow particularly large and are relatively easy to care for

http://www.jaysanimalencounters.co.uk/si鈥?/a>Do tarantulas make good pets for small kids?
I think it would be fine. We have several hundred tarantulas (we breed them) and our youngest is 2 1/2. He loves looking at them but we don't let him touch or hold them. Too much of a chance of him accidently hurting one, plus we don't want him to get haired. But if you're okay with just letting your son watch the tarantula for now, then you should be fine. But I strongly suggest you don't let him handle it at all.Do tarantulas make good pets for small kids?I think it would be okay but he wouldn't be able to handle it simply because spiders are extremely fragile. He might accidentally harm the spider or scare it into biting him. My son began handling our tarantulas when he was much older (I think he was about 8) and now he is a real pro at handling these delicate creatures :)

I would recommend a terrestrial tarantula that is calm in temperment: Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola Pulchripes), Chilean Rose Hair (Grammostola Rosea), Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma Smithi), Pink Zebra Beauty (Eupalastrus Campestratus) or Brazilian Black (Grammostola Pulchra).Do tarantulas make good pets for small kids?
Tranatula's are very placid. As long as your son is aware that he has to be very gentle with the spider. Personally I think that waiting a few years maybe a good idea.

Not sure what kind of tarantula, but best of luck finding a suitable one.Do tarantulas make good pets for small kids?It should be fine as long as you don't leave your son alone with the tarantula and tell him to be gentle.Do tarantulas make good pets for small kids?
haha it should be fine if he likes spiders :) just make sure it dont bite lol