Exotic invertebrates & others

Incomplete molt (dysecdysis)

SignsMolt stalls partway, legs stuck in the old skin, legs bent after molting

PreventionMaintain humidity and keep a water dish at all times. Never touch before a molt (fasting, darkened abdomen)

Dehydration

SignsShrunken abdomen, legs curled under the body (death curl)

PreventionAlways provide a shallow water dish. Even for arid species, mist one corner

Mite / nematode infestation

SignsWhite specks clustered around the mouth, white sticky area around the mouth, refusing food

PreventionAlways remove uneaten prey the next day. Keep substrate clean and avoid excess moisture

Abdominal rupture from a fall

SignsFluid (hemolymph) leaking from the abdomen, motionless with legs drawn in

PreventionDo not hold tarantulas in your hand. Enclosure height no more than 1.5x body length

Injury from feeder insects

SignsBitten by live crickets during a molt, wounds and fluid leaking from the body

PreventionDo not add prey before a molt; remove uneaten prey within a few hours

Chemical / pesticide poisoning

SignsSudden convulsions, legs twitching erratically, flipping over

PreventionNever use insecticides, mosquito coils or flea products in the same room. Avoid wild-caught prey

Exoskeleton damage from a fall

PreventionDo not hold in your hand. Move with a cup or tongs, and handle close to the ground

First aidRest in an ICU container. Apply nothing to the wound. Seek emergency care if fluid loss does not stop

Lost leg / autotomy

PreventionNever grab a leg. Do not touch legs with tongs. Leave no gaps in the enclosure

First aidThe lost leg regenerates at the next molt. Bleeding stops on its own; place food and water nearby

Bites from feeder insects

PreventionRemove crickets within a few hours if uneaten. Stop feeding before a molt

First aidCheck the wound and keep substrate clean to prevent secondary infection. Remove feeder insects at once

Pinched inside the enclosure

PreventionLeave no gaps at the lid, water dish or shelter. Do not place heavy objects

First aidDo not pull a pinched leg; quietly remove the object. If a leg is lost, wait for the next molt

Envenomation from stings and bites

RouteScorpion stings; centipede and tarantula bites

PreventionNever handle bare-handed. If stung or bitten, rinse under running water and seek medical care

Dermatitis from urticating hairs

RouteAbdominal hairs of New World tarantulas reaching skin, eyes or nose

PreventionWear gloves and goggles for work inside the enclosure. If hairs get in the eyes, see an eye doctor

Anaphylaxis

RouteAllergic reaction to stings, bites or urticating hairs

PreventionCall an ambulance immediately for breathing difficulty or hives

Salmonellosis

RouteFrom enclosure, substrate or feeder insects via hands to mouth

PreventionWash hands after any work. Keep feeder insect containers clean too

Food

• Feeder insects such as crickets or roaches, 1–2 at a time, once or twice a week
• Juveniles twice a week; adults about once every 10 days is enough
• Remove uneaten prey the next day. Fasting before a molt is normal

Water

• Keep a shallow water dish at all times and change it every 2–3 days. Keep it shallow to prevent drowning
• Arid species: water dish only. Humid species: also mist

Toys & play

• No toys needed. Digging substrate and spinning webs provide enrichment
• Build shelters and climbing spots with cork and driftwood
• For centipedes and millipedes, substrate deep enough to burrow is the best enrichment

Nest, bed & hideout

• Always provide one shelter: cork bark or a flower pot
• Burrowing tarantulas need substrate at least 10 cm deep for digging

Bedding & litter

• Lay moistened coconut fiber or peat moss
• 3–5 cm for terrestrial species; 10 cm or more for burrowers and centipedes
• Replace all substrate if mold or mites appear; check monthly

Cage / housing material

Gap-free plastic or acrylic enclosure with a locking lid. Ventilation through fine holes only

Size & space

Floor area 2–3 times the leg span. Keep height low (tall for arboreal species)

Layout

• Shelter, water dish and a dark corner to hide in
• Keep height low to prevent falls; no sharp decorations
• Thermometer and hygrometer inside the enclosure

Placement notes

• Locking lid. Centipedes and scorpions escape through tiny gaps
• Keep in a place children and other pets cannot open, and lock it

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Walks and handling are unnecessary and dangerous. Everything happens inside the enclosure
• Nocturnal, so observe at night. Inactivity by day is normal
• Clean with tongs and long tools, after moving the animal to a separate container

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Varies by species, but above 30°C and below 15°C is dangerous

HumidityArid species 50–60%, humid species 70–80%. Match to the species

Summer & winter

• Summer: no direct sunlight; use air conditioning above 30°C
• Winter: heat mat on the side of the enclosure. Avoid heating the whole floor

Nail trimming

No nail trimming. Instead, manage molts: maintain humidity, stop feeding, and do not feed for 1 week after molting

Brushing, skin & coat care

No coat care. A bald abdomen from lost urticating hairs recovers at the next molt. Do not wipe the body

Other care

Wash the water dish and tongs weekly. Remove the molted skin the next day. Remove prey remains right after feeding

Protection from predators

• Place where cats and dogs cannot knock over the enclosure or reach inside
• Ants can invade and kill them. Ant-proof the enclosure legs
• Feeder insects can become predators. Remove uneaten prey at once

Foreign-body ingestion

Use unpainted supplies so the animal does not mouth foreign objects (plastic, glue) in the substrate. Lock the enclosure so toddlers cannot reach inside

Being stepped on

Risk of stepping on an escaped animal and of bites or stings. If found on the floor, do not touch bare-handed; cover with a cup, slide a postcard underneath and recover it

Getting pinched

Pinching a leg or abdomen in the lid or door causes fatal fluid loss. Confirm the animal's position before opening or closing

Falls

A tarantula can die from a ruptured abdomen after a fall of just 30 cm. Do not handle. Keep the enclosure on a low, stable stand

Escape

An escape puts the family at risk of venom. A lock is mandatory. If one escapes, seal the room and search dark corners, shoes and bedding. Recover with a cup when found

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and wait for the animal to let go on its own
2. If it does not let go, blow on it or lower it onto a surface
3. Cover the animal with a cup and return it to the enclosure
4. Wash the wound with running water and soap, then cool it

After the release

For scorpions, centipedes and venomous spiders, seek medical care if swelling or numbness appears. Call an ambulance for breathing difficulty

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Confirm in advance which clinics see invertebrates. Report the species, whether it is venomous, temperature and humidity, last molt date and feeding records

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Blow on the legs or body and check for a response
• Legs curled under the body (death curl) signals a dying animal
• Legs limp and stretched out with no movement means death

Stopping bleeding

• Stop fluid loss by letting it dry. Do not touch
• Apply no medicine or disinfectant (toxic, causes death)
• For an abdominal tear, rest until it clots naturally

Transport

• Small sealed container lined with damp paper, kept dark
• Avoid temperature changes, do not shake, keep it short. Do not touch bare-handed