The best tarantula enclosure is the one that is secure, large enough, has good ventilation, and is easy to access. All of the options in this article are great, what it comes down to is choosing the size and if you want a kit, or want to build it out yourself.
Kits like the Exo Terra rainforrest kit come with all the needed supplies to set things up, but are more expensive. The other option is to buy a tank and to build it out like the ones from Exo terra below (item 2) and Repti Zoo (item 3).
If you are in a hurry, the below table has the top tarantula enclosures summarized, but if you have more time you should read more about what makes them good below.
Comparison Of the Best Enclosures for Tarantulas
In this article, we will cover the things you should know when shopping for tarantula enclosures as well as some of our highly recommended products.
Whether you want to set up the perfect home for your climbing spider or your tarantula native to the tropics, you’re going to need to get the right enclosure for them to hold all of their needs.
Their enclosure is the space they will spend the most time, where they will hunt, eat, sleep, roam, and spin their webs; you might as well provide them with the best enclosure you can.
Table of Contents
Enclosure Criteria: What to Look For
First, let’s discuss the features you should be looking for when shopping for tarantula enclosures. In general, you want something that will be the correct size for your spider’s species that will also support their needs in order for them to live a healthy, happy life.
Size
First off, you will need to consider your tarantula’s needs depending on whether they are terrestrial or arboreal species, meaning whether they are ground-dwelling or climbers.
Ground-dwelling tarantulas enjoy staying close to the ground and some species will even act in burrowing. For this species of tarantulas, they will need more space to roam, enough space for a hide, and proper depth for larger layers of substrate.
A good rule of thumb for terrestrial spiders is to get an enclosure that measures, in length, around three times their leg span with a width of twice that of their leg span. These should be the minimum when looking at the dimensions of your enclosures.
On the other hand, when buying an enclosure for an arboreal spider, you will have to consider the height of the enclosure. They will need space off the ground to climb as well as accessories that provide them with some height, such as a branch.
With climbing species, you are going to need to look for an enclosure that is taller than it is wide, if possible, about twice as tall as their leg span. Since they are arboreal, you should also look for any added features that will support their natural climbing instincts.
Overall, a tank or enclosure that is too small or too large is not ideal. You want to get a size that fits just right for their needs.
Proper Ventilation
Tarantulas will require oxygen to breathe and will need their space to have good airflow to support optimal temperatures. That is why you need a well-ventilated enclosure.
Security
For arboreal tarantulas, you should also consider looking for an enclosure with a lid or sturdy top, as these guys can sometimes be little escape artists if they are given the chance.
In general, you should find an enclosure that is secure enough for any species of tarantula. These guys are more mischievous than you can imagine.
Preventing their escape can also keep them safe from deadly falls, so it’s always good to bring you peace of mind by having an already secure tank.
A tank with a lid, at the very least, is essential to keep your spider from sneaking out.
Durability
Some owners won’t even consider what material their enclosure is made out of.
Choosing a durable material means that it will be good for years to come. It will also determine how hard or easy it is to clean up your pet’s space.
Glass is a highly preferred material since it is see-through, meaning you can show off your decorated enclosure and beautiful spider. But it is also easy to clean and will be sturdy, along with many other upsides.
Some keepers will use plastic containers, but it is really up to your tastes as well.
Accessibility
Since you will need to clean your enclosure regularly and might want to handle your tarantula every once in a while, an enclosure with easy access can be of great help.
To save yourself time and a lot of hassle, buy a tank with easy-to-open fastening doors or an easy opening so that you can easily replace the substrate as needed.
Best Tarantula Enclosures
Here are some products we recommend for your tarantula’s enclosure:
1. Exo Terra Rainforest Habitat Kit
We are back with Exo Terra, which is a highly recommended brand for all your pet reptile needs. They have many products to choose from and are a reputable company that will best suit your reptiles, but arachnids are included as well!
Although this specific kit says it’s for reptiles, it can work great for your tarantula as well. It has everything your tarantula might need for their home.
Pros
Great ventilation and 360 views of your pet.
Has many attachment points for accessories such as lighting and such, even though our tarantula won’t need it, it is a nice addition to have.
It has all the necessary items you might need to decorate your tarantula’s home, making it easy and fun to put together.
It comes with cool decor like jungle vines and leaves for your tarantula.
This is great for a beginner keeper who might not want to spend time looking and researching too much about substrates or enclosures.
Cons
In the reviews, you can see some commenters complaining about missing pieces, so that’s a good thing to be aware of when you are buying this.
Also, no returns or refunds are available for this particular product.
2. Exo Terra All Glass Reptile Terrariums
Exo Terra is a well-known brand for all reptile wants and needs. They are always making products that provide the best quality and comfort for our reptiles.
With its opening doors and patented mesh lid ventilation, this glass terrarium is great for easy cleaning, easy access to your pet, and it also has great dual lock doors. The swinging doors and extra frame space for the substrate heater are a really nice touch.
This truly is a great all-rounder when it comes to terrariums and it looks really beautiful, too!
They also provide the same high quality for all their tall and short sizes, providing for both terrestrial and arboreal species.
Check it out and look at their available sizes in the chart above or below:
Pros
The dual locks make this tank escape-proof and safe for your tarantula. It is well-ventilated and just all around pretty great for all species of tarantulas.
The well-locked doors make it easy to manage and clean your tank while also giving you easy access to your pet.
There’s also a mesh covering on the lid for ventilation.
The waterproof bottom means it will last a long time and there is also extra space for wire and tubing management.
A big plus is that it is very aesthetically pleasing as well.
They provide a wide range of sizes with the same quality for all your pet’s needs.
Cons
The “rock” back panel is made of styrofoam, which isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to materials.
3. REPTI ZOO 34 Gallon Large Reptile Glass Terrarium
This terrarium is also made by a well-known reptile product company. This terrarium has many added features such as a raised bottom to place a heating pad and a waterproof bottom for long-lasting substrate usage.
This also makes it suitable for humid conditions. It also has 3-sided screen ventilation and opening doors for easy access and cleaning.
There are many little additional attaching points for multiple uses and attaching accessories.
Pros
Great for humid environments and will last long due to its waterproof bottom.
It has great all-around ventilation on the left and right sides as well as the top.
It is easy to access with its front doors, which will make cleaning and feeding manageable. It is also escape-proof and safe for your pet.
There are also feeding holes in the cover, making it very functional.
Setup is very easy and the instructions are clear so it will be set up within minutes. It can also be taken apart and put back together for easy travel.
The heavy-duty foam rock-like background will add a naturalistic look to your enclosure, making it eye-catching in any corner of your home.
There’s space at the raised bottom to put a substrate heater or heating pad.
It is pretty well-rounded and is priced a bit high, but reasonably for its size. The views are great with all the ventilation and glass, you can see your spider at all angles.
It is listed on Amazon’s Choice and has many positive reviews from real buyers and reptile owners!
Cons
Although it is secure, you will need to really make sure it’s closed securely since it is still possible for it to leave open spaces or can be left unlocked where your tarantula can escape.
4. Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit
Yes, this is another reptile kit, but what can we say, they are great to look at and can provide all the basic needs of your pet tarantula in one go so why not?
This specific kit is more suitable for arboreal species since it is taller and will have a sturdy locking hatch on the door. It also has a locking pin to double the safety.
Pros
Although it has great lighting capabilities, we don’t need to worry about that too much for our tarantulas, but it’s there if you want it.
The safety of this enclosure is extra secure with both a locking pin as well as an additional locking latch. This escape-free enclosure will keep your pet safe from any possible injuries that can happen if they get loose.
This kit also includes a background decoration that looks naturalistic and beautiful. It comes with a feeding dish and substrate to match as well.
This eclosure allows for double access with both the top lid and front door for easy cleaning and handling. The lid also has mesh ventilation, allowing your pet to breathe fresh air freely.
Buyers Guide
The most important component for creating a great environment for your pet tarantula is their terrarium or tank enclosure. What you choose will be their home and where they roam and reside.
A happy spider needs at least five gallons of space to live healthily, so make sure you are getting the right size for your specific species as well.
Follow instructions on how to put your tarantula’s home together and make a checklist of everything they will need before bringing them into their new enclosure.
Again, make sure you are paying attention to the need of your tarantula’s species and are providing them with adequate space, ventilation, substrate, moisture, humidity, and overall environment.
You need to create a space that closely mimics their natural habitat in order for them to be happy.
Watch this informative video on how to set up a terrarium for your tarantula:
Conclusion
All of these are great options, but it depends on what you want. If you want a complete kit with everything, then the Exo Terra rainforrest kit is perfect. It’s more expensive, but it comes with what you need.
If you are looking to just get an enclosure and to choose all the materials, then we think the Exo Terra all glass terrariums are great options. They have 4 size options, you just need to choose what is right for you.
No matter what enclosure you end up going with, just make sure you are providing your tarantula with all their basic needs.
Sure, it’s nice to have a good-looking terrarium or tank, but make sure your spider’s health comes first.
Now that you have some bearings on the basics of tarantula enclosures, you can go right ahead and find the perfect home for your precious pet spider to happily reside in!
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