Spiders as Pets - a hands off pet (Usually!)

By Sophie Kininmonth · 4 Oct 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·6 min read

Spiders as Pets - a hands off pet (Usually!)

A pet spider is one of the quietest animals you can keep. It asks for no walks, no company, and no fuss, and it rewards the kind of person who likes to sit and watch: silk being laid down, a retreat rebuilt, prey sensed through vibration rather than sight. Most people who look into keeping one want either a low-space animal to observe or a straight answer on whether it is safe, legal, and humane to do at home. Both questions are worth asking, because the wrong setup can harm the spider and the wrong species or source can create real risk for you and for Australia's biosecurity. This guide covers the appeal honestly, then the parts that actually take care.

Are spiders actually low-maintenance pets?

Yes, in the sense that matters to most people. Compared with dogs, cats, and even many birds, the commonly kept pet spiders have modest day-to-day demands: no walks, no companionship, no handling. What they do need is consistent husbandry, which means clean water, appropriate prey, correct ventilation, and an enclosure that prevents escapes and injuries. "Low-maintenance" really means the work comes in small, careful moments rather than daily interaction, so you are checking the water dish, removing leftover prey, and watching for subtle signs of stress or dehydration.

Choosing a species

Species choice does more to determine your experience than anything else. Some spiders forgive beginner mistakes; others are a poor match for home keeping because of speed, defensiveness, venom significance, or strict environmental needs. Read species-specific care guidance from reputable veterinary or institutional sources before you commit, and be honest about your comfort level with an animal that is fast, fragile, and not meant to be held. Many people start with tarantulas because they are widely kept and their needs are well described, but even within tarantulas the range of temperaments and environmental requirements is wide.

One correction worth making early: all spiders are venomous to some degree, because venom is how they subdue prey. The practical question is whether a species is medically significant to humans and how likely it is to bite or otherwise irritate, for instance through the urticating hairs some tarantulas carry. Ignore any claim that "most pet spiders aren't venomous". Choose species known to be manageable in captivity and treat every spider with respectful caution.

Legal and ethical basics in Australia

Legality comes first, because the rules here vary by state and territory and they can change. In many places, keeping native wildlife requires a licence, and there are strict controls on buying, selling, and moving animals. Queensland's native animal licensing framework, for example, sets out licence types and requirements for keeping protected animals including spiders and scorpions, and advises buyers to purchase only from licensed sellers where required.^{1, 2}

Importing invertebrates as pets is not permitted. Australia's biosecurity settings exist to stop new pests and diseases becoming established, and the government advice is explicit that terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, including spiders and scorpions, cannot be imported as pets.^{3, 4}

Housing: what a spider enclosure must do

A good enclosure does three things. It prevents escape, it holds the right microclimate, and it lets the spider behave naturally without constant disturbance.

Escape-proof and secure: a tight-fitting lid, no gaps around vents, and furnishings that do not let the spider lever a door open.
Species-appropriate ventilation: enough airflow to reduce mould, but not so much that humidity collapses for species that need it.
Correct space and layout: terrestrial burrowers need depth and a hide, while arboreal species need height, anchor points, and vertical cover.
Substrate and structure: stable, non-toxic substrate, hides, cork bark, and climbing surfaces as appropriate.
Water: a shallow, stable dish for many species. For very small spiders, safer hydration methods may be needed to avoid drowning risk.

Keep enclosures out of direct sun and away from heaters and drafts. A sudden temperature spike can be lethal in a small glass box.

Feeding: simple, but not casual

Most pet spiders are obligate carnivores, and in captivity they are typically fed live invertebrate prey sized to suit the spider. Feeding frequency depends on species, age, temperature, and whether the spider is in premoult. Overfeeding is common in captivity, since spiders are built for feast-and-famine cycles. Skip any advice to add fruit and vegetables, because spiders do not need produce. Focus on healthy feeder insects and keep water available, and if you keep feeder insects, maintain good hygiene around their containers and food.

Feeding and moulting

Moulting is the vulnerable centre of a spider's life cycle. During premoult and moulting, live prey can injure the spider. The cautious approach is to stop feeding when premoult signs appear and remove uneaten insects promptly.

Handling: the safest spider is the one you don't hold

Handling is where most problems happen, through bites, falls, and stress. A spider's exoskeleton protects it in many ways, but it does not protect it from gravity, and short falls can be fatal, especially for heavier-bodied species. When you need to move a spider, use a calm catch-cup method with a clear container and a flat card, and work low to the ground. Treat every spider as capable of biting, and never handle near your face.

Health, hygiene, and realistic risks

The biggest routine risk with many exotic pets is not a dramatic bite but poor hygiene around enclosures, feeder insects, and cleaning tools. Most public health guidance focuses on reptiles and amphibians, but the principles still apply: wash your hands after contact with the animal or its environment, keep habitat equipment out of food-prep areas, and supervise children around enclosures.^{5, 6}

If you are allergic or asthma-prone, be aware that some tarantulas can flick urticating hairs, which may irritate skin, eyes, and airways. Avoid close face-level interaction and consider keeping the enclosure in a well-ventilated room.

Common misconceptions worth correcting

"Most pet spiders aren't venomous." Spiders are venomous. What varies is medical significance and the likelihood of a defensive bite.
"They don't need much care." They need consistent environmental conditions and appropriate feeding and cleaning routines.
"They like being handled." Handling is generally for the keeper's benefit, not the spider's welfare.
"Any spider from the garden will do." Wild-caught spiders may be protected, may be poorly suited to captivity, and removing wildlife can be illegal and harmful.

Finding a reputable source

Buy only from sources that can clearly tell you the species, its origin, and its care requirements, and that follow your state or territory rules for licensing and record-keeping where they apply. Queensland's guidance, for instance, explicitly advises buyers to check licences and purchase only from licensed sellers where required.²

Avoid any seller offering imported "exotics" or shipping that looks designed to bypass controls. Australia treats illegal wildlife movement seriously, with strong penalties under federal wildlife trade law and biosecurity rules.^{3, 7}

The Bottom Line

A pet spider suits people who enjoy stillness and detail. Keep the setup simple, the routine steady, and the handling rare. Put legality and welfare ahead of novelty, buy from a source that follows your state's rules, and you will have a small, quiet animal that does what spiders do best: live with minimal fuss, as long as the world around it stays predictable.

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.