Tarantula vs 
Scorpion: Which Pet Should You Get?
Torn between a tarantula and a scorpion? Here's an honest side-by-side look at cost, care time, space, and kid-friendliness — using the same data that powers our pet quiz.
| Tarantula | Scorpion | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $8–$20/mo | $8–$20/mo |
| Space needed | Small space | Small space |
| Daily time | A little | A little |
| Cuddle factor | Best to watch | Best to watch |
| Experience needed | For experts | For experts |
| Lifespan | 5–20+ years (females live longest) | 5–8 years |
| Kid-friendly | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Allergy-friendly | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Choose a tarantula if…
- you simply love tarantulas — sometimes the heart knows!
Choose a scorpion if…
- you simply love scorpions — sometimes the heart knows!
Tarantula at a glance
Tarantulas are quiet, clean, and amazingly low-maintenance — a fascinating pet for older kids and careful keepers who love to observe. They're a "look, don't cuddle" pet and an expert-level choice, but they ask very little of you.
Scorpion at a glance
Scorpions are striking, ultra-low-maintenance pets for older, careful keepers who love to observe. The emperor scorpion is large, docile, and a good beginner — but every scorpion can sting, so they're strictly a watch, don't handle pet. They glow under UV light, which is half the fun.
What really makes them different
Look-don't-grab pets
Both of these are watch pets for older, careful keepers with an adult helping. A tarantula can bite and has tiny itchy 'urticating' hairs it can flick if scared. A scorpion can sting — the emperor scorpion is a calm, docile beginner type, but it still has a stinger. Neither should be picked up and played with. They are amazing to observe behind glass, but the rule is simple: look, do not grab.
Care and lifespan
Good news — both are quiet and low-maintenance. They eat live insects every few days, need a snug lid, and the right humidity and warmth. Tarantulas are fragile and can be badly hurt by a fall, so the tank stays low and you never hold them up high. Scorpions are sturdy but still delicate. Tarantulas can live a very long time — 5 to 20+ years, with females longest. Scorpions live about 5-8 years.
🧠 Test your knowledge
❓ Common questions
Are they safe for kids?
They are watch pets, not handling pets. Tarantulas can bite and flick itchy hairs, and scorpions can sting, so an adult should supervise and no one should grab them.
Which lives longer?
Tarantulas, by far. Females can live 20+ years, while scorpions usually live about 5-8 years.
Do they need a lot of daily care?
No. Both are low-maintenance — live insects every few days, fresh water, a secure lid, and the right humidity and warmth.