Tarantulas are widely traded as pets, with increasing evidence that they experience stress responses that justify consideration of their welfare.
Tarantulas have a simple but functional nervous system capable of sensing and responding to threats. Inappropriate housing — too dry, too cold, or with inadequate hides — causes chronic stress. Moulting disturbance is a leading cause of captive tarantula death. The growing evidence for invertebrate sentience warrants precautionary consideration of tarantula welfare in trade and keeping.