Your first terrestrial setup

For terrestrial species, floor space matters more than height. A good rule of thumb is an enclosure roughly 3× the spider's leg span wide and no taller than 1.5× the leg span — a fall from too high can injure a heavy-bodied tarantula.

Cross-ventilation keeps the air fresh and prevents stuffy, mold-prone conditions. Make sure the lid latches securely — tarantulas are stronger and more determined than they look.

Use 8–12 cm of a coco-fibre and topsoil mix so your spider can burrow. Add a cork-bark hide and a shallow water dish. Skip heat lamps — room temperature between 22–27°C suits almost every beginner species.

Give your new spider a few days of quiet before the first feeding. Don't panic if it hides, refuses food, or seals its burrow — this is normal, especially before a molt.