The idea of keeping an exotic pet like a tarantula may appeal to some people in the UK, but is it actually legal to do so?
Famous for their distinct appearance and large size, tarantulas are mainly found in tropical regions such as South America.
If you want to keep one in the UK here's all you need to know about the legality of it and if they would be suitable for you.
Is it legal to own a tarantula in the UK?
It is legal to keep a tarantula as a pet in the UK, as it is not listed under The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (Modification) (No.2) Order 2007.
As you do not need to apply for a licence to keep a tarantula under this legislation it is legal to keep one as a pet.
Do tarantulas make good pets?
Whilst it is legal to keep a tarantula as a pet in the UK you will need to be prepared to look after it properly.
The British Tarantula Society is keen to emphasise that owners will need plenty of time and patience to make sure it is well looked after.
In terms of enclosures, they say: "There are very basically two kinds of tarantula. Tree dwelling and ground dwelling. Tree dwellers need to be kept in tall enclosures but ground dwellers must be kept in lower ones.
"Some ground dwellers stay on the surface, others require deep burrows. Spiders require some kind of hideaway away from the light. They should never be exposed to sunlight."
As tarantulas originate from warm climates they need to be kept in warm environments of between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit (23.8C-29.4C).
The golden rule according to The British Tarantula Society is to not overfeed it, and to not feed it mice as that is illegal in the UK.
They state: "The abdomen should not be more than twice the size of the carapace. If it is, the spider is overfed and this could affect it during a moult.
"Spiders can go without food for days, weeks and sometimes months. Feeding your spider once or twice a week should be sufficient."
Additionally, it is recommended to not handle your tarantula as they may bite and flick hairs at you, and if you drop the spider you may kill it.
Overall, compared to most pets tarantulas are fairly low maintenance to keep, according to Pets4Homes, although they have unique factors that might be hard to deal with.
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They explain: "Tarantulas are good pets (for spider fans)! For many reasons; they are clean, quiet, do not take up a lot of space and do not require a huge amount of daily care and maintenance to thrive.
"However, like any exotic pet, tarantulas have their own unique care and welfare issues and requirements, and time needs to be spent looking after them, keeping their surroundings clean, and checking that they are well and healthy.
"As a pet that is not only exotic but also venomous, it is very hard to get veterinary treatment for tarantulas, and the vast majority of regular veterinary practices are neither equipped nor willing to treat tarantulas."
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