The Complete Care Guide for Pet Insects, Spiders, and Invertebrates

Invertebrates are some of the most fascinating creatures you can keep — tarantulas, praying mantises, stick insects, and more. These animals are living art.

Popular Pet Invertebrates

• Tarantulas: Beginner species — Mexican red knee, Chaco golden knee, Arizona blonde. Females live 20-30+ years.
• Jumping spiders: Curious, interactive, and surprisingly personable
• Praying mantises: Beginner species — Chinese, African, Ghost mantis. Short-lived but endlessly entertaining.
• Stick insects: Among the easiest invertebrates to keep
• Millipedes: Docile, easy to handle, thrive in naturalistic setups
• Emperor scorpions: Large, slow, and relatively docile — the classic beginner scorpion

Housing

• Terrestrial tarantulas need floor space and deep substrate — height is a fall risk
• Arboreal tarantulas need height and anchor points for webs
• Praying mantises need height at least 3x their body length for molting
• Stick insects need tall mesh enclosures with fresh host plant cuttings
• Never use airtight containers — stagnant air causes mold and stress

Feeding

• Tarantulas and scorpions: live or pre-killed crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms
• Praying mantises: live prey only — fruit flies for small mantises, crickets for adults
• Stick insects: fresh host plant cuttings — bramble, oak, eucalyptus, or rose
• Always remove uneaten prey after 24 hours

Molting: The Most Critical Time

Never disturb a molting animal. Remove all live prey before and after a molt. Post-molt, wait at least a week before feeding again.

Handling & Safety

• Docile tarantulas can be handled — always sit on the floor; a fall can be fatal
• Old World tarantulas and most scorpions: do not handle
• Jumping spiders genuinely enjoy interaction
• Always wash hands before and after handling any invertebrate
• Old World tarantulas have medically significant venom — not for beginners

At CROPTIRE BARNYARD, we celebrate every kind of pet owner. No fur required. Just curiosity. 🕷️🦂🐛