Tarantulas are increasingly popular exotic pets, but welfare challenges arise from wild collection, inadequate humidity and substrate provision, and the welfare implications of keeping solitary, stress-sensitive animals.
Tarantula welfare is frequently compromised by housing that fails to replicate key environmental conditions. Inadequate substrate depth prevents burrowing species from creating necessary retreats, causing chronic stress. Low humidity causes dehydration, visible as shrivelled abdomens and premature moulting failure - a potentially fatal welfare event. Excessive handling causes stress in what are naturally defensively-oriented animals. Wild-caught tarantulas arrive dehydrated and stressed from transport. Good tarantula welfare requires deep, appropriate substrate, species-correct humidity, secure hides, and minimal handling beyond health checks.