Unlike cats and dogs, tarantulas are unpopular and unusual pets to keep. Well, the reason for this is partly because they are not cuddly pets. However, it’s worth knowing that tarantulas can be pretty interesting to keep for those who really have an interest in them.
One of the benefits of raising tarantulas is that they are very easy and inexpensive to care for. You only need to feed them once or twice weekly, depending on how hungry they are. Furthermore, by raising tarantulas, you won’t have to worry about not having enough space.
Like other insects, you can always travel with them by air. However, flying successfully with tarantulas depends on a couple of factors – first, you need official paperwork. Besides, you also need to confirm with your airline what you need to be able to transport them.
Can spiders go on airplanes? Is it okay to bring my tarantula on a plane? What airlines allow spiders on a plane? As you read further, you’ll find everything you need to know regarding the burning questions above.
Can Spiders go on Airplanes?
Here’s What You Need to Know About Spiders
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods with eight legs. According to National Geographic, there are about 45,000 known species of spiders out there. That said, one of the things that most spiders have in common is that they are very poisonous.
There’s no denying that almost all spider species are poisonous. However, you need to understand that most spider species have fangs that are too short to penetrate human skin.
Furthermore, many spider species are native to the US. According to experts, over 50 tarantula species are native to several different states and cities in the United States, including New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, California, Nevada, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. This explains why most tarantula species can be brought across state borders.
You Can Fly With Your Spiders
Here’s a frequently asked question; is it okay to fly with spiders on planes? The simple and direct answer is yes; you can always travel with your spiders by air. However, you need to understand that your ability to travel via airplanes with your spiders depends on a couple of factors;
One of the factors to consider before deciding to travel by air with your spiders is your destination. Are you planning to cross state borders in the US or go international? If you’re traveling from the US to another country with your spider, you’ll need to complete a lot of paperwork and contact different agencies.
However, if you’re only planning to cross from one state to another in the United States, the best you can do is to first get familiar with the laws and regulations in your state. This way, you can be sure whether or not you’ll be allowed to travel with your spider or not.
Furthermore, you need to understand that some spiders require you to have official paperwork to be able to travel with them. If yours requires one, you might want to consider completing the paperwork before traveling.
Next, you need to consider checking with your airlines whether it’s okay to travel with your spiders. Generally speaking, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can always travel with your arthropods (including spiders) in a carry-on if they are legal in the country. However, the pet spider will most likely be subject to screening before being allowed into the airplane.
Look For Spider-Friendly Airlines
So, the question is; is the spider legal in the US? If yes, chances are that you’ll be able to travel with it by air. The next thing you need is to find spider-friendly airlines.
Here’s the thing; not many airlines are spider-friendly. Most of them only allow their passengers to travel with small dogs and cats. Since that’s the case, you need to check around and be sure your airline is okay with you traveling with your pet.
According to research, Delta and American Airlines are two of the few airlines that allow their passengers to travel with their spiders. The only problem, however, is that you may not be allowed to keep your arthropod friends in carry-on luggage.
So, the bottom line is that you can always travel by air with your spiders. If you’re going outside the country, you need several different permits for the two countries involved. However, for interstate, all you need to do is to speak with your airline regarding what you need to do to successfully transport your spiders.
Can You Bring Your Tarantula on a Plane?
As earlier mentioned, more than 50 different tarantula species are native to the United States. As such, it’s safe to say that they are legal in several different cities and states in the country.
With that, it means you can always travel by air with your tarantula, according to the laid down rules and regulations by the Transportation Security Administration. However, you need to contact your airline and understand whether or not your tarantula is allowed. In addition to that, you also need to ask for the things required of you to be able to travel safely with your tarantula.
Most likely, the airlines will not allow you to keep your tarantulas in carry-on luggage. Instead, you’ll be asked to keep them in the checked baggage. If you’re not comfortable with that, another thing you can do is to consider shipping your tarantulas directly to your destination.
What Airlines Allow Spiders on a Plane?
Delta and American airlines are two known airlines that allow their passengers to travel with their tarantulas. However, in 2018, the American Airline released a support animal policy, which removes spiders, goats, and ferrets from the list of emotional animals that are allowed on its planes.