Tarantulas are among the most popular exotic pets but are often assumed to have minimal welfare needs. Emerging invertebrate welfare science challenges this assumption and suggests more thoughtful husbandry is needed.
The assumption that tarantulas require minimal care and have negligible welfare needs is not supported by what we know about their biology. These animals actively manage their environments, respond to threats, and show behavioral flexibility that suggests some form of experience. Poor husbandry causing dehydration, inappropriate temperatures, or inadequate substrate depth results in animals that cannot exhibit natural behaviors and likely experience physiological stress. Responsible tarantula keeping requires genuine engagement with species-specific requirements rather than a one-size-fits-all minimal care approach.