There may be a local ordinance. Exotic pet laws can vary from state to state, county to county, and even by city. I don';t know the specifics for SF. San Francisco Bay Area Tarantula Society may be able to provide you with more information. read more
San Francisco Bay Area Tarantula Society may be able to provide you with more information. Interesting fact; there's a tarantula species, Aphonopelma iodius, that is indigenous to the San Francisco area. read more
Tarantulas are more of a "look but don't touch" pet, like tropical fish. I have two specimens in my collection that I handle, but only rarely, and only on their terms. Since tarantulas don't have much of a brain to speak of, they are incapable of bonding with their owners or forming any kind of relationship at all. read more
They have very small venom glands and the bite of our local tarantula is no more painful than a bee sting. They scrape off the hair from their abdomen in the face of a predator. The hair is barbed, and can also be a highly toxic irritant. read more