How long do small spiders live ⋆ Online magazine for women

How long do spiders live in a person’s house and in the wild?

Small insects rarely live more than one year. In addition to natural enemies, the lifespan of spiders is reduced due to cannibalism (females of many species eat males immediately after the process of fertilization of eggs is completed). In Russia, due to unfavorable climatic conditions, spiders die for the following reasons:

Low temperatures, which are detrimental to insects. They tolerate heat and dry air much easier than humid and cold climates.
Lack of food. Winter in Russia lasts long enough, and during this period there is nothing to eat. The ability to fall into suspended animation is not always accompanied by the accumulation of sufficient reserves of nutrients to survive the cold period of the year.
Poisoning. Many forests and fields are actively fertilized and treated with various pest control agents. Various chemical elements also reach the victims of spiders, which ultimately leads to insect poisoning.

The lifespan of house spiders is significantly longer (on average it reaches one year). This is due to the absence of those harmful factors that exist in the wild. However, hunger can cause early death of an insect even at home.

There are also long-lived spiders at home:

Tarantulas in the appropriate climate zone can live up to 15 years. It should be remembered that they are dangerous to humans.
The most poisonous spider, the black widow, can live up to 5 years in captivity, posing a serious danger to house residents.
Goliath in captivity can reach the age of 9 years.
The record holder for how long spiders live in people's homes is the tarantula, some specimens of which managed to live for more than 20 years.

How long do house spiders live?

Arthropods enter human housing through open windows, doors, and cracks in the wall. They settle in the corners of rooms, behind furniture. During the day they hide from the sun's rays, at night they weave webs and hunt. House spiders eat house flies, fruit flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches.

At home, the spider can live up to 1 year; favorable climatic conditions and the absence of natural enemies contribute to this. However, life often ends due to lack of food, at the hand or broom of a person.

Interesting!

Hay-making spiders often gather on the walls of a house and sit motionless until the evening. With the onset of darkness they begin to become active. They are not dangerous for humans. How spiders live in the wild is well known - they hunt small insects, grasshoppers, even locusts. The lifespan of females is no more than 4 months; males die earlier.

Exotic animals living in a human home are long-lived. Tarantulas live up to 30 years, tarantulas - 15 years, goliaths - 9 years, black widows - 5 years. But the peacock spider barely reaches 9 months.

Tarantula spiders are increasingly becoming popular as pets. Their unusual appearance, as well as their low cost, have made these animals the most common exotic pets. Many people wonder how long do these pets live?

Feeding features of insects

Being voracious predators, spiders usually feed on insects by suction. Many people wonder whether spiders eat cockroaches, and in some cases the answer may be yes. This applies to domestic animals. The prey - the victim of spiders - must be killed using poison. If it is a small insect, death occurs instantly; if the victim is large, it struggles in the predator’s nets. Certain food items that arachnids eat are small insects, and they must be suitable in size ratio. Many individuals eat cockroaches of all types, bedbugs, flies and bugs.

Why do spiders appear in a house or apartment: signs

The appearance of a spider in the house is considered a sign. Depending on how and where you noticed the spider, you should discuss the significance of the sign. It is worth noting that most of the signs associated with this insect are positive.

The most common opinion, which arose hundreds and thousands of years ago, states: a spider appears in a house or apartment because of money. If you suddenly notice a spider in a place where it should not be (furniture, food, walls, etc.), rest assured that it portends prosperity for you.

Another popular belief says that negative energy always collects in the corners of the house. That is why spiders, like real “guards” of the house, stretch the web in the corners, catching it. If a spider catches your eye, it means it is actively “fighting” all the negativity at home.

Meaning of the sign: there is a spider in the home

Values:

A spider in the kitchen with a cobweb - such a sign portends discord in the family. It could be a simple quarrel, or it could be a divorce.
Spider in the bathroom - if a spider is close to water, this may “hint” you that you will soon experience financial difficulties.
A spider in the toilet is a bad omen, indicating that your wealth can “flow away like water.”
A spider crawling away from you - perhaps you will soon spend a lot of money or experience financial collapse.
A spider crawling on you portends prosperity, monetary profit, and a bonus.
Spider on clothes - soon you will hear good news or make a long-awaited purchase.

Spider has many meanings as a sign

It is believed that if a person kills a spider, he will attract negativity and bad luck. However, this sign has several features:

Intentionally killing a spider is a sign that foreshadows losses and waste, a series of failures and problems for the person who committed this.
Accidentally killing a spider is a good omen that will “save” a person from problems. (According to ancient belief, it was believed that such a murder “gets rid of 40 sins”).

The meaning of spider and web

The most suitable conditions for these arthropods are damp, dark, cool places with a lot of insects. The ideal place that matches the description is a cellar or basement. But if there are a lot of spiders in the apartment, then there are reasons for this:

Dampness. Problems with plumbing or sewerage, leaking faucets and pipes - all this will create favorable conditions for spiders. They live under the bathroom, behind the toilet and pipes;
Unsanitary conditions. During cleaning, all hanging cobwebs are brushed away from the corners with a broom or sucked up with a vacuum cleaner. When such procedures are carried out regularly, they do not have time to weave a new web for themselves;
Insects. All animals need to eat. If there are a lot of small pests at home, this will certainly attract unwanted residents.

There are fewer dangers for spiders in houses and apartments than on the street. Therefore, if spiders appear in the house, it means that favorable conditions have been created for them.

House spiders number no more than a dozen species. They hide from humans in dark corners and are completely harmless. They can be distinguished by the appearance and structure of the web.

Harvesting spider

Characterized by a small body and long thin legs. It is not poisonous and does not bite. Its web is not sticky. The networks are woven in a sloppy and disorderly manner. The victim, falling into such a trap, simply becomes entangled and cannot get out. It feeds on beetles, mosquitoes, midges, flies and other small insects. Helps regulate the number of pests in the apartment

Pros and cons of content

Before you decide to purchase such a pet, weigh the pros and cons of keeping it.

Among the advantages:

does not require a lot of time and money for care and maintenance;
a silent, calm and almost invisible animal;
The behavior of the spider is interesting to observe.

there is always a risk that a spider will bite or run away;
some species have a very short lifespan;
cannot be trained, and is not a tame pet in the standard sense.

Important! For children, the elderly, people with allergies or other serious illnesses, a spider bite can have bad consequences!

Such an exotic pet will clearly attract the attention of all visitors to your home. If you and other family members do not have arachnophobia or allergies, then it is quite acceptable to have a spider.

But if you want to receive emotional feedback from your pet and spend more time with it, then you should take a closer look at more social types of animals.

Lifespan of spiders

Arachnids have recently often lived in apartments as pets. People care about them and want to know as much as possible. In addition to taste preferences and necessary temperature conditions, owners want to have information about how long spiders live.

In nature

How many years do ordinary spiders live that live far from humans? Harsh natural conditions contribute to a reduction in the life cycle.

In nature, arthropods have many enemies. Young individuals are more at risk than others. Their small size and lack of hunting experience make spiders prey. The most dangerous enemies are hawk wasps. Arthropods, due to underdeveloped vision, mistake them for prey. Having flown close, the insect attacks and kills the animal.

Arachnids have pedipalps used for grinding food. In males, the six-segmented processes function as part of the reproductive system. During the final molt, the pedipalps are not completely released. The male is not able to properly grind prey, which leads to malnutrition. Over time, nutritional deficiency leads to death.

Some males die because they were unable to shed their old exoskeleton. It compresses the internal organs, the individual dies from suffocation or poor circulation.

Homemade

How long do house spiders live? In the life cycle of arachnids, an important stage is the complete maturation of the reproductive organs, which occurs after the last molt. After the last shedding of the cuticle, the male’s body quickly ages. In captivity, with sufficient food and a comfortable ambient temperature, individuals that in nature reach sexual maturity in 3-6 years mature in 2 years.

At home, males live from six months to one and a half years after reaching maturity. It was recorded at the Berlin Zoo that a long-lived natural spider died after 12 years. Why do arachnids live longer under natural conditions with a lack of food and uncomfortable weather?

No studies have been conducted to study how long the life span of arachnids lasts. But the metabolism of protostomes was studied. During the tests, it was revealed that during the winter months, metabolic processes in the arthropod’s body slow down, and the spider ages more slowly.

Briefly about the class

Many people find it difficult to imagine an insect or snake as a pet, but there are still people who find these creatures extremely cute and attractive. Naturally, a special resident is chosen for the terrarium - larger and brighter.

You can keep a spider at home as a pet.

So, arachnids belong to a separate class. Their scientific name arachnida comes from the Greek female name Arachne. There is an ancient legend about how a girl with that name, whose family was engaged in weaving, volunteered to compete in the craft with the goddess Athena and allegedly beat her in skill. In her hearts, the resident of Olympus turned the weaver into a spider and doomed all her descendants to spin until the end of time.

You can keep exotic spiders at home:

This species is one of the most widespread on the planet, so it is difficult to determine exactly how many years spiders live on Earth. The remains of these creatures were found in Devonian deposits. Their habitat is so diverse that it boggles the imagination. These arthropods are found on high mountain plateaus and near glaciers; they live underground and in tree crowns, as well as in rock crevices. The size of adult individuals ranges from 8 mm to 18 cm.

An exotic spider can easily survive at home

Anatomically, spiders are very different from insects, although until the 50s of the last century they were classified in this class. Their external and internal structure has a lot of features, for example:

presence of jaws;
cephalothorax (instead of head, chest and abdomen);
simple eyes (4 pairs);
not very good vision;
All pairs of walking limbs have their own special functions.

Spiders feed on liquid food; digested food is removed through the anus.

Where and how they appear: reasons

There are several reasons for the appearance of spiders in a house or apartment:

In private homes, spiders are a fairly common occurrence. They live outdoors, but often crawl indoors;
A person can bring a spider on his clothes. Having thus entered the house, he remains to live there;
spiders are predators. If insects live in a house or apartment (flies, cockroaches, bedbugs, mosquitoes), then even a black spider that accidentally gets into the house will remain: warm, almost safe and plenty of food.

A spider is an animal, not an insect, as many are accustomed to think. It belongs to the class Arachnida, a phylum of arthropods. It consists only of the abdomen, on which the legs grow, and the cephalothorax, where the mouthparts are located.

The natural habitat is not an apartment at all. Arachnids move to humans “for a better life.” In the house, the network is not damaged by wind, rain and snow. But the most attractive thing is the domestic parasitic insects. If there are a lot of insects at home, then arachnids will appear in large numbers. Demand creates supply.

Through cracks in the wooden door frame, cracks in the floor, window frames;
migrate from the uninhabited attic of the house;
they arrive in coats and jackets;
fly on cobwebs into the windows and open doors.

For a resident of a private house, these arthropods are a common occurrence. But apartment residents are not happy with such guests. Signs tell a lot about how spiders appear in the house, on the ceiling or in the bathroom and why. And what does this promise, is it possible to kill spiders in the house, is such a neighborhood good or bad. There are many beliefs, superstitions and prejudices associated with these neighbors. Let's assume it's not in vain. And would it be more correct to treat spiders calmly and wait for good news?

As a rule, signs of the appearance of spiders promise profit, good news and pleasant meetings. For example, the sudden appearance of money. If you see a cobweb, then expect a visit from an old friend or relative, a letter announcing an inheritance, or the return of a debt. Bad forecasts include family troubles, illness, and a sudden move to a new place.

What species live in the apartment

Spiders belong to the order of arthropods; they are all obligate predators, that is, they cannot do without animal food; small insects are their tasty morsel. They live on all continents except Antarctica.

Only a few species, out of thousands known, can coexist with people in apartments and houses. It is not so easy to notice their presence; they choose the darkest corners for their habitats and hide when their owners approach. The presence and type of spiders that have settled in a home can be determined by the web and the appearance of the individual.

The most common types of house spiders:

Black and gray spider. They are small in size - body length 14-18 mm. They settle in warm and dry places in the house. The female never leaves her habitat. These types of arthropods weave structured webs.
Centipede. It is also called a haymaker or a windowcutter - due to its predilection for settling on the windowsill. Their peculiarity is a small body - up to 10 mm and long legs; the total size of an individual can reach several centimeters. After eating the victim, the spider completes the web, so it often looks chaotic.
Tramp. This representative of arthropods does not stay in a person’s home for a long time, for which he received a telling name. Its peculiarity is its method of catching prey, which is unusual for spiders - the tramp attacks insects by jumping and immobilizes them with poison. For this reason, he does not spin webs. Individuals of this species have an elongated body and long legs, with a maximum total size of no more than 5 cm.

Flies, cockroaches, two-tailed bugs, bedbugs - that's all that spiders feed on in the apartment. Having waited for the victim to become entangled in the web, the spiders inject poison and digestive juice into it; when the insect dies, the predator sucks out the insides from it.

These creatures do not form populations, so no matter how long house spiders live in an apartment, their numbers will not increase significantly, and if there is a lack of food, they reproduce only once, at the end of their life cycle. The lifespan of each individual depends on the species to which it belongs; as a rule, it is several months.

Photos and names of house spiders

To understand the degree of danger of a spider, you need to know its species. The characteristics and characteristics of all arthropods that often inhabit human homes should be considered.

Haymaker

The haymaker spider often lives in window frames and corners of apartments and houses. They can often be found in attics. These creatures have an oval body, reaching about 1 cm in length. This species is distinguished by long legs that are beige or brown in color. The body is gray-brown. Haymakers weave a chaotic web.

Their numbers in residential buildings increase in the fall. Haymakers are extremely shy, so if they are disturbed, they try to quickly hide. If life is threatened, the spider may bite. These creatures are non-poisonous and therefore do not pose a danger to humans.

Black house spider

Black spiders are often found in corners, on the ceiling and walls of apartments. The female of this species can reach 3 cm, while the males are 2 times smaller. They weave a tube-like web. The diet of black spiders includes not only flies, but also moths, butterflies, beetles and other insects that accidentally enter the living room. Living in a house, they rarely reproduce.

The lifespan of arthropods of this species is 2 years. Small spiders, hatching from eggs, are already similar in structure to adult individuals. The black house spider, despite its large size as an adult, does not pose a danger to humans. These arthropods bite only if they are in danger.

Hobo spider

Vagrants are small in size. They rarely grow to 1 cm in length. This species of arthropod has 8 pairs of legs. The hobo's shell is brown with black and beige patches. This house spider differs from its relatives in that it does not weave a web. This creature is constantly moving. During a hunt, it quickly attacks the prey, injects its poison and eats it. The venom released by this type of spider is safe for humans.

Jumper

It is relatively rare for jumpers to be found in apartments. In most cases, they are carried indoors on a person’s clothing. Jumpers have a special structure of their legs, thanks to which they move by jumping. In addition, this type of spider is able to quickly move across glass. The jumper, unlike other varieties, has good eyesight. It has 8 eyes arranged in 3 rows. These creatures are safe. They do not emit poison, because... consume only plant foods. The basis of their diet is acacia.

White house spider

A simple white spider is also common in the house. The body length of females of this species reaches 1.5 cm, and males are much smaller. These arthropods weave large webs. Their poison is not dangerous to humans. At the same time, white karakurts are found in the southern regions of Russia. They have thin legs and a thick spherical body. White karakurts are rarely found in a house or apartment, but it is impossible to exclude their entry into living quarters. The venom of these arthropods can cause allergic reactions and signs of intoxication.

Folk signs

Whether a meeting with a spider will be favorable or not is determined by environmental conditions, time of year or day, movement along the web, position and shape. You can listen to these signs, or you can ignore them. Although why, if superstitions, as a rule, bring positive news.

Let's remember the signs about the consequences of meeting spiders:

found on your head - get a big sum of money that you don’t expect;
to see in the morning means good luck for today, at noon (when the sun is at its zenith) - wait for the beginning of a great love story;
a spider hanging on a thread hangs in front of your face - an unexpected conversation with a person you haven’t seen for ten years;
appeared on the bathroom wall - to quick changes;
a spider hanging over the dinner plates means they are talking behind your back or eavesdropping;
a catching net over the bed - discord or betrayal (This sign will lose its meaning if you simply clean up, check the corners in the bedroom, remove traces of cobwebs from the ceiling, and send the spiders into the yard.);
if the spider moves upward on the web, expect a promotion, advancement in work matters.

Folk remedies and methods will help in the fight against spiders if the case is not advanced. The simplest method, as noted above, is to get rid of the food source of arthropods: cockroaches, midges, mosquitoes and other insects. You shouldn’t feel sorry for the cobwebs woven by predators in the corners of the house. It is better to clean it with a damp cloth, taking the spiders along with it.

In a private house, with an abundance of vegetation under the windows and in the yard, it makes sense to use boric acid in the fight against spiders. A special effect can be achieved by combining acid with a vacuum cleaner, which can easily remove all spiders, including those from hard-to-reach places.

Not the easiest, but effective method is home renovation. Spiders cannot stand the smell of paint, whitewash, or putty. Replacing the floor and wallpaper followed by general cleaning will get rid of arthropods for a long time and help refresh the interior.

Another folk remedy against domestic arthropods is mint. Even a small amount of a fragrant plant placed in the corners of the house will scare away spiders. You can enhance the effect with the help of peppermint aromatic oil, sprayed through a spray bottle around the house in spider habitats. The same effect can be achieved using eucalyptus or tea tree oil.

Spiders, for the most part, are harmless animals, and people have many superstitions about them:

if a spider came into the house, good luck came with it; spiders living in the corners attract all the negative energy, preventing it from spreading to the owners of the house; if it weaves a thick web, it means drought; sits in the corner of a large web - predicts rain; a spider seen in the bathroom warns against danger: something you planned will not bring benefit, but harm; the presence of a spider in the house means prosperity; a spider crawling towards you promises sudden profit. Creeping away from you - to expenses; if an arthropod frightens you, it’s bad news

But if you are not afraid - good news; If you notice a spider hanging from the ceiling by a thread, pay attention to where it is moving. Up - to the fulfillment of a desire, down - the dream is not destined to come true; did a spider fall on your head? Expect to get rich soon; the earlier in the day a small fly hunter is encountered, the more negative the overall effect of the omen

Ideally, meet him in your apartment late in the evening; You cannot kill spiders - you will lose your health and luck.

Spiders in the wild

Today, more than 42,000 species of spiders are known. They live in different regions, but are more widespread in areas with a warm and humid climate.

It is known that large spiders, inhabitants of desert-shrub areas, are prone to slow growth and long life expectancy. Spiders, native to tropical rain forests, grow quickly but do not live long. In most cases they do not live more than 12 months.

Spiny or horned orb weaving spider (Gasteracantha cancriformi). The male dies 6-7 days after fertilization of the female, if he does not become her dinner before that. The female dies after laying eggs. Thus, the lifespan of this species is not long at all: for males - up to 3 months, for females - up to 1 year.

The life expectancy of one of the most dangerous spiders in the world - the black widow: females - about 5 years, males - less.

The Mexican red-knee tarantula spider lives about 30 years.

Curly-haired tarantula spider - about 20 years old.

The goliath tarantula is one of the largest representatives of arachnids. The average lifespan of a male is 9 years, 14 years for a female.

Pecilotheria regalis is another species of tarantula; males live for 5 years, females for about 9 years.

Tarantulas live up to thirty years in the wild.

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Spider is different from spider

To date, scientists have discovered more than 42 thousand species of spiders. All of them are very different from each other: some grow to gigantic sizes, others, on the contrary, are so small that they are barely visible to the naked eye. The appearance of spiders is no less varied, which, to one degree or another, reflects the character and habits of these “terrible” creatures.

Naturally, depending on the species, how long spiders live varies. Ordinary tarantulas, for example, die of old age no earlier than after 14-17 years, while haymakers go to a better world after 4-5 months. In addition, the fundamental factor influencing the lifespan of spiders is the environment. Namely, the conditions in which they live.

Are house spiders dangerous?

After reading a lot of information about spider species

, which are most often
found in the houses and apartments
of residents of the CIS countries, I realized that, basically, they
do not do much harm
(sometimes they even do good, kill flies, for example).
But this does not mean that you should give spiders complete freedom in your home, because after all, they are not pets and they should live outside. By the way, all spiders are poisonous
, it’s just that most of them do not have enough poison to harm a person.

Here are some interesting facts about spiders:

The spider's brain occupies one-fourth of the volume of the entire body.
Many types of spiders eat their relatives.
Spiders are not family mates at all; they mostly live alone.
At one time, the female spider lays about 1000 eggs.
The only place on the planet where there are no spiders is Antarctica.

Despite the fact that human beings have a natural fear of spiders, many are increasingly choosing them as exotic pets. Spider owners say this is an ideal option if you don't have time to care for your little friend. If you do not suffer from arachnophobia and dream of owning an unusual pet, we will help you understand the features of care and maintenance, types of spiders, as well as all the pros and cons of such a choice.

Pets

These arthropods have become the subject of many myths and legends that belong to the category of mysticism and have nothing to do with reality. In fact, a number of factors contribute to the appearance of spiders in a residential building other than as pets:

low illumination and high humidity;
a large number of insects;
uncleanliness of the owners;
excessive dryness.

Before you get a spider, you should learn how to care for it.

Folk legends about these animals have existed for as long as ordinary spiders have lived in human homes. Typically, people say that being around arthropods brings good luck.

Keeping these creatures at home as pets does not bring much trouble to their owners, but no one has noticed any unusual luck associated with these animals.

Selecting a view

Since the spiders living in the corner of the closet are already at home, people want to opt for a beautiful animal that has no special care requirements and is fully adapted to life in captivity. The main contenders and simply the most common types of spiders:

Representatives of the tarantula family, specifically Cyclosternum fasciatum and Brachypelma albopilosum. The first is a small creature, the span of whose walking limbs reaches 12 cm. The color is modest - brown with a reddish tint. The second is a very large (legs up to 18 cm) and beautiful specimen, with a surprisingly calm disposition. The main color of the body is the same as that of its brother, but the highlight of this subspecies is given by long hairs, the ends of which are white or black. The lifespan of these spiders ranges from 3-5 years (males) to 15 or more (females).
Antillensis tarantulas are very active and quite large individuals. The span of the limbs does not exceed 15 cm, the color is shades of brown with a pearlescent tint.
The most impressive specimen is represented by the species Cyaneopubescens, also from the tarantula family. The size is the same as the previous representative, but the color is a combination of red, blue and green. Extremely hardy, can live without food for several months.

Some may find it surprising that spiders that are poisonous and dangerous to humans are very popular. The owners of such individuals must have at home an antidote corresponding to the type of animal.

Spiders make not picky pets

Conditions of detention

Usually these animals are kept in a terrarium, which is selected according to the size of the future resident and his behavioral characteristics. Most members of the class are unable to live with neighbors, so most often the spider is the only owner of its home. In order for the lifespan of spiders in captivity to be maximum, it is necessary to maintain optimal conditions for the species.

Keeping a spider at home is not difficult

In most cases, they are the same as those that contribute to the spontaneous appearance of these arthropods in homes. Since safety is important not only for the animal itself, but also for its owner, the terrarium should be closed with a lid with ventilation holes.

The spider's home needs to be cleaned regularly. Water is a necessary element that should always be in the container where the spider lives. Various insects are ideal food for a furry pet.

It is difficult to say specifically how long spiders live at home. It all depends on the initial health of the animal and proper care for it.

Reasons for appearing in the apartment

Why do spiders appear in the apartment? If they are regular guests in a home, it means they are attracted to the conditions, the most important of which is the availability of food.

These creatures will not stay long where there are no small insects. Therefore, the best way to prevent spiders in an apartment is to make sure that there are no midges, cockroaches, or ants.

There are other reasons for the invasion of spiders in the home:

Favorable temperature. In autumn, spiders from the street are looking for a warmer place to live.
Humidity level. Spiders, depending on their species, are attracted to both dry rooms and places with high humidity, for example, a basement or a bathroom.
Unsanitary conditions. Where cleaning is rarely done, insects most likely live, serving as food for arthropods; spiders receive enough food and actively reproduce.

Spiders do not start on their own; they enter a home from the street in various ways; if the room is suitable for living, they will settle for a long time; if there is no food, they will leave to look for a new place.

Where do spiders appear in the apartment:

small cracks in the floor;
open windows;
Street clothes;
pieces of furniture (that have been outside for a long time);
wild or garden flowers (tree branches, berries) brought into the house.

If spiders appear in a large number in an apartment, then the reason is not accidental entry from the street, but active reproduction already inside the home; in such a situation, it is necessary to take measures to eliminate unpleasant neighbors. To do this, you need to know what spiders are afraid of. Chemical insect repellents, sticky tapes, and ultrasonic devices can cope with them. They are also repelled by many smells: paint, wallpaper paste, mint, orange.

What spiders can you keep at home?

Not all types of arthropods can be kept at home.

Some of them are deadly poisonous, while others have an unremarkable appearance (for example, the gray spider or the haymaker spider, which most often live in secluded corners of houses and apartments). Many people choose tarantula spiders, and there are several reasons for this:

They have a presentable appearance: large sizes, bright colors, shaggy bodies.
This species includes more than a hundred subspecies, from which you can choose a pet to suit every taste.
They live somewhat longer than other species.
They can reproduce in captivity.
The tarantula's venom does not pose a fatal threat to a healthy adult.

Popular types of tarantulas are: white-haired, two-colored, giant, striped, horned and others. In addition to tarantulas, the choice is often made of tarantulas, cross spiders, wolf spiders or jumping spiders. The listed species extremely rarely bite people (only in the event of a sudden attack), but even if this happens, their poison does not cause any serious consequences.

Specific examples of life expectancy

Today, several dozen species of spiders, which are of the greatest interest in keeping, have become widespread as pets. Let's talk in more detail about exactly how long arachnids live in captivity.

Tarantulas. These are real record holders for life expectancy. Under natural conditions, tarantulas can live more than 15 years. If such a giant is kept at home, it can live 20-30 years.
Tarantulas in natural conditions live up to 10-12 years. Whereas if kept at home, such a pet, provided it is properly fed and provided with appropriate conditions, will live 15-20 years.
Goliath. These are large arachnids that are extremely interesting to keep. They usually live 8-9 years. Moreover, females usually live to a ripe old age, and males die by the age of 5-6 years.
Cross. The average lifespan of these arthropods usually does not exceed 5-6 months. Males die immediately after mating, while females usually live 4-6 months, they manage to create a cocoon, after which they die. During their short life, crosses can reproduce only one generation.
Peacock. This is an extremely interesting species of small arachnids that are brightly colored. The lifespan of this type of spider is usually no more than 9 months.

Keeping tarantulas, tarantulas and other arthropods at home is not particularly difficult. Using simple equipment in a glass container with spiders, you can maintain optimal humidity and temperature, and you can purchase food for such pets at most large pet stores. All this will be the key to trouble-free maintenance of arthropods, which can live with you for as long as possible without getting sick or causing trouble.

The cruel world of wildlife

Let's start with the fact that in their natural environment, spiders rarely live to a ripe old age. Here their existence is threatened by predators, difficult weather conditions and lack of food. This is why it is so difficult for scientists to know how long spiders live in the wild. Especially when it comes to tiny representatives of this family, who can die even from one strong gust of wind.

And yet, they still managed to find out some interesting facts. For example, it is reliably known that large spiders live much longer than small ones. The same rule applies to those arachnids that are found in arid regions - their upper threshold for aging is quite high compared to tropical inhabitants.

How long does the largest spider in the world live?

The list of “The largest spiders in the world” is headed by the Goliath tarantula. As its name suggests, this spider is large enough to feed on birds. The body length of Goliath reaches 10 cm, and its powerful fangs grow up to 2.5 cm. Its bite is not fatal to humans, but severe pain and nausea are guaranteed. Its distinctive feature is the hissing sound that it can produce with its paws.

How long do spiders that belong to the goliath species live? Males live an average of 9 years, with 14 years being the average age of the female of the largest spider in the world. When answering the question of how long spiders live, an interesting pattern is revealed: on average, females live longer than their partners; for example, one of the most dangerous spiders on the planet lives about 5 years. For known reasons, males live much shorter lives.

You began to notice that there are more and more spiders in your house. At the same time, you always do wet cleaning on time, dust does not accumulate for weeks, and the number of spiders only increases. Naturally, you will think about why there are a lot of spiders in the house and how to get rid of them.

There are many legends and fairy tales that spiders in the house bring good luck, happiness, wealth, etc. However, many people disdain them or are even afraid to the point of losing consciousness (). It is not permissible to kill spiders, as this action can bring disaster to the house. And even non-superstitious people try not to do this, just in case. And if there are a lot of arthropods in the house, then you need a spider repellent that will help you deal with them without assault.

What spiders live at home?

Many different spiders can live in a house; it makes no sense to list all their varieties and scientific names. It is enough that spiders living in houses are absolutely harmless and do not pose a danger. On the contrary, they feed on flies, bedbugs, and even two-tailed fish. One answer to the question of how to remove spiders from your home is to remove all other insects. Then the spiders will have nothing to eat and will leave.

If there are a lot of spiders in your home, you will need to take additional steps. In addition to crayons and aerosols designed to kill other insects (flies, bedbugs, etc.), it is necessary to purchase special products whose action is aimed directly at spiders in the house. When collecting all the web, it must be burned, as spider eggs may remain in it.

The walls in the basement need to be whitewashed and cosmetic repairs done in the apartment. The smell of lime and paint will help keep spiders out of the house for a long time. Small and large spiders in the house will not return to you if you carry out repairs and cleaning in a timely manner. For greater reliability, use a spider repellent in your home that contains chlorpyrifos or boric acid.

Benefits of keeping house spiders

Are you pressed for time and don’t always have time to prepare breakfast for yourself, let alone prepare food for your pet? Are you not too fond of all sorts of difficulties associated with pet care procedures - walking, bathing, participating in exhibitions? You are not an oligarch, so you cannot afford to spend more on your animal every month than you spend on yourself? Is your living space intended exclusively for you, since the square meters in it are strictly calculated? Have you never had a pet before?

Well, in all these cases, if you suddenly decide to have a pet, the house spider is the best candidate for this role. Caring for it doesn’t take much time, and there doesn’t seem to be any need to take special care of the spider either. Financially, you won’t have to spend a lot of money, such a house spider won’t force you to make room, and even if you have no idea how to approach it – after reading our publication, you can consider yourself a novice spider specialist and have such a creature in your home.

We do not exclude the possibility that you may not succeed in everything right away; in the end, the spider, unfortunately, may die. But, if you find your mistakes in your approach to its content and eliminate them, then rest assured that your next pet spider will live a long and happy life to your delight. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to admire the process of transformation of a gray tiny spider (that’s how you bought it) into a bright and spectacular beauty, which it will become just a few months after it appears in your home. Moreover, after each molt it will become more beautiful and larger. This sight is worth learning how to care for a spider at home.

What kind of spider can you keep at home?

As you understand, ordinary braid spiders are not very suitable for keeping at home. And here are the best candidates for this role. They are considered to be the largest spiders on Earth, and they include more than 1,500 species, which in turn are divided into 9 families. Such spiders live in natural conditions in southern and warm countries. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that most of them are... poisonous. You may not die from their bite, but you will be guaranteed severe intoxication of the body. True, like most animals, tarantula spiders never attack first - therefore, this fact is a little comforting.

If you're wondering which spider to choose as a pet,

We would recommend that you pay attention at the initial stage (since you are still new to this business) to spiders such as Brachypelma albopilosum and Brachypelma vagans that are small and easy to care for and maintain. You shouldn't have any problems with these two types. Well, if you feel like an expert in the field of spider science, then you can get rarer and more expensive types of spiders.

How to choose a healthy spider

Terrarium for spider

A small spider, regardless of its type, is best kept in a plastic, hermetically sealed container of a suitable size for it. While your pet spider is a baby, it is better to refuse a huge terrarium and its decorative elements. The spider may simply get lost there, get scared and not be able to find water or food for itself. Yes, and you may not notice the crumbs among the stones and plants. But when your house spider grows up, it will be appropriate to choose a larger container for it. However, remember, tarantula spiders do not tolerate their neighbors and... eat them, because by their nature they are cannibals.

So getting a couple of spiders is not worth it. And, if you did do this, because you wanted to breed these creatures in the future, you will have to keep them in separate terrariums.

This applies to both adults and children - it’s better not to take risks.

How to set up a terrarium for a house spider

It is necessary to place a substrate at the bottom of such a glass or plastic terrarium; filter paper can play its role. And, if there is no such thing, an ordinary white toilet. But, using colored paper, due to the presence of dyes in it, is strictly prohibited. Also, as a substrate you can take sphagnum, peat, ready-made substrate from coconut fibers or vermiculite. Make sure that the substrate is moderately moist and moisten it if necessary.

Humidity in the terrarium

Depending on the type of spider you have, you will need to create a comfortable humidity level for it. Thus, tropical forest spiders feel good at 75-90%, while desert-shrub spiders prefer drier air, and the humidity level for them should not exceed 75%.

To further humidify the air, you can place small containers of water in the terrarium for large spiders. But for small spiders it is better not to use them, so that the insects do not accidentally drown in such a pool.

Well, you can control the humidity level and regulate it with maximum accuracy if you purchase a special device such as a hygrometer.

Why is it so important to provide the required level of humidity to your spider? Yes, because if the air is too dry, the spider may begin to get sick, and its molting cycles may be disrupted. And, too much humidity can also lead to the development of mold and fungal diseases. By the way, be sure to make sure your spider drinks. It’s better to let him go without dinner (although that’s not an option) than to let him go without water.

Temperature in the terrarium

Spiders are heat-loving creatures

. Therefore, make sure that they are constantly in a temperature range of 22-28 degrees above zero Celsius. A short-term decrease in temperature is allowed (but not lower than 15 degrees Celsius), however, you should still not abuse such temperature fluctuations. A decrease in temperature is especially dangerous for well-fed spiders and spiders during molting - insects may suffer from the onset of food rotting in their stomach.

If the room in which the terrarium with the spider is installed is not warm, take care of additional heating of the terrarium using a thermal cord or a thermal mat. However, constantly monitor their temperature so as not to overheat your house spider.

Terrarium lighting

Spiders, like many other insects, are nocturnal inhabitants, so they do not need additional lighting either day or night. Your indoor light is enough for you to observe your exotic pet. Under no circumstances should you direct the lamp's direct light at the spider or place the terrarium in direct sunlight. By doing this you can destroy the creature.

Decorative elements for terrarium

When your spider becomes big enough to move into a large terrarium, be sure to take care of the decorative elements of its interior. Beautiful and large stones, an empty coconut shell, a fragment of a clay flower pot, bamboo stems, dry branches and even a model of a skull - all this will decorate the landscape of the terrarium and serve as a refuge for the spider. Just make sure that the decorative elements of the terrarium do not injure your pet, therefore, they should not have sharp corners or cutting ends.

You can also plant a real botanical garden in the spider’s house by planting aloe and gasteria there.

Depending on what kind of tarantula you have - there are ground and tree spiders that need a vertical type of terrarium, make sure to provide your little ones with the accessories they need.

Terrarium safety

Since spiders can climb both the walls and the lid of the terrarium, you need to ensure that the terrarium is tightly closed with a securely fitting lid so that your pet does not escape. However, make sure that the lid has perforations - small holes for air ventilation. True, their size must be such that the spider does not escape.

What do spiders eat?

Spiders, despite their small size, consume a large amount of food, however, they may not eat for a long time - from a month to a year. An interesting fact is that in a year the amount of food eaten by spiders exceeds the amount of food consumed by all people in the world.

Each type of spider has its own methods of obtaining food:

Creating traps using web weaving. The caught prey is treated with digestive juice, which corrodes it from the inside, after which the spider swallows it.
Searching for food by spitting out sticky saliva, which allows it to attract food to itself.

What do spiders eat:

The main diet of both outdoor and indoor spiders is insects. Spiders in a private house feed on flies, mosquitoes, crickets, butterflies, mealworms, cockroaches, grasshoppers, and woodlice larvae. Read more about the answer to the question.
Spiders living in burrows or on the soil surface love to eat beetles, orthoptera, and even snails and earthworms.
Some species hunt at night. For example, the queen spider creates a trap for moths at night.
Exotic spiders, due to their impressive size, choose larger prey. Thus, tarantula spiders prefer to hunt frogs, lizards, other spiders, mice, and even small birds. And the Brazilian tarantula is capable of catching and eating small snakes and grass snakes.
Spiders that live on water use their webs to catch tadpoles, small fish or midges floating on the surface of the water.
Some spiders use flora as a source of food: pollen, plant leaves, cereal grains.

What to feed house spiders

Despite the fact that your house spiders are completely domesticated creatures, they are predators, and accordingly they feed on living organisms. Small spiders eat cockroaches and crickets, but large ones can eat mice and frogs. You can also try giving a piece of lean meat or squid fillet. However, the latter types of food are not very natural for the spider, therefore, from such a diet they may begin to get sick in the future. So, it’s best to eat what they eat in nature.

As for the size of the portions, they should be 1/3 of the volume of the spider itself.

How often should you feed spiders?

The frequency of feeding spiders depends on their age. So, if you have a young house spider, you need to feed it several times a week. Whereas an adult spider can be fed several times a month. By the way, there are often cases when adult spiders can go on hunger strikes - you shouldn’t be afraid of this - the spider either overate the day before, or is preparing to molt, or the air temperature in your terrarium is low and it is preparing for hibernation.

What to do if a spider refuses food

What should you do if you find yourself in a situation where your pet refuses both a cricket and a mouse? In this case, first, you need to remove its “lunch” from the terrarium in order to prevent a situation where the spider becomes a victim of its lunch, and only then start to find out the reasons for this situation