How long do tarantulas live?



There’s no doubt tarantulas live longer lifespans in captivity than they do in the wild, due to a lack of predators, but how long can a tarantula’s lifespan really stretch? No one’s really studied how long tarantulas live in the wild, so there’s really no clear answer to the wild-versus-captive question. However, we do know much more about their captive longevity.

Tarantulas can have very long lifespans in

captivity, but just how long?





Tarantula lifespans - Male vs. Female



Any discussion about tarantula lifespans must begin with the knowledge that females live much longer than males. Much longer. Knowing that with most animals, males live longer because they don’t have the taxing duty of reproduction, why is the opposite true with tarantulas? Truthfully, we don’t have solid answers yet.



Males usually live a year or two after they reach sexual maturity, which generally happens at around two years of age with plenty of food, although it can happen quicker, or take longer. I’ve found though, that if the time to maturity is artificially lengthened through modest feeding and moderate temperatures, the tarantula’s lifespan extends as a result. So, in a sense, reaching sexual maturity is like lighting a timed fuse for males. Most male tarantulas live 3-6 years, but rarely longer.





Indian Ornamental tarantulas may live

for many years, especially females.



