The creepy-crawly farm that grows 5,000 giant SPIDERS as big as a man's hand (at least they don't bite) Juan Pablo Orellan gave his wife one of the spiders as pet soon after they met Mr Orellan's farm exports around 30,000 spiders a year globally Despite only 11 scientifically recorded species of tarantula Mr Orellan claims to have 20 at his farm If you're scared of spiders look away now. A Chilean man has turned his love of tarantulas from a hobby into a full-time business breeding 5,000 of the creepy crawlers at a any one time. Juan Pablo Orellana, started keeping tarantulas as pets at home. He now exports around 30,000 of them a year to markets in Asia, Europe and the US. One particular breed of the spider - known scientifically as Grammostola mollicoma - grows as big as a man's hand. But despite its monstrous size the spider is among the most docile of the species. As pets go tarantulas are fairly low maintenance. They sell $25 (£16) each plus shipping but only need to be fed once a week living on a diet of live cockroaches or worms. They live a long time too - up to 25 years in the case of females. Harmless: Despite being as big as a man's hand this particular species of tarantula is completely harmless to humans Eight legged monster: Mr Orellana's farm breeds one species of spider (Grammostola mollicoma), which is as big as a man¿s hand but despite its big size the spider is poses no harm to humans Various species: Mr Orellana says he breeds around 20 different species and breed of Chilean tarantula but so far only 11 have been identified by scientists So far in Chile only 11 species of tarantula have been scientifically classified but Mr Orellana says he keeps 20 different species. "For me the best part is going out to find new spiders," Mr Orellana told Agence France Press news agency. Mr Orellana spends much of his time looking in the hills outside the Chilean capital Santiago, for new breeds and species and raises the ones that are hardest to find. "For me the best part is going out to find new spiders," Mr Orellana told AFP. His farm contains a huge variety of the spiders: some have red abdomens, others have copper-colored skin, and they have varying degrees of hairiness. Exports: Mr Orellana's farm exports around 30,000 spiders around the world each year selling at $25 (£16) a time Creepy: Juan Pablo Orellana gave his wife a tarantula named Rufina as a pet soon after they began dating Separated at birth: Most of the tarantula¿s are separated as soon as they are born to stop them fighting with each other The success of Mr Orellana's business is the result of a growing trend for exotic and low maintenance pets. Not everyone can keep a dog or cat.Tarantulas are cheaper and do not need as much attention. What's more, the world has changed and what with technology and cable television, people are learning about this kind of exotic animal and want one for their home," Juan Gonzalez, a vet at the farm told AFP. At the breeding facility, most of the farmhands are women. "It is labour intensive and very specialized, and I prefer women because the creatures are fragile, and if they break a leg or are dropped they can die," Mr Orellana said. Catalogued: The spider are kept in small numbered containers shortly after they are born so they can be kept track of Gentle touch: Mr Orellana prefers to employ women at his farm because he says they better at handling the arachnids Breeding process: It takes around two to three years for the spiders to grow to a size where they are ready to be sold as pets but luckily the tarantulas only need to be fed once a week The breeding process is also rather involved and requires a delicate touch. It takes two and a half to three years to raise one to adulthood when it can then be sold as a pet. Mr Gonzalez said the tarantulas must also be separated from each other. It's in their genes, they cannot live alongside even a mate. They start fighting when they are young, and you have to separate them to avoid cannibalism," he said. The United States is the farm's biggest client while European buyers seek fewer tarantulas but a wider variety of species, Mr Gonzalez added. Miniature web crawlers: The spiders need to be handled very carefully when they are first born in order to separate them as they are incredibly fragile Hospital atmosphere: As a result of the fragility of the spiders the women that work at the farm have to wear hospital gowns, latex gloves and masks Popular pets: Chilean tarantulas are becoming increasing popular as pets around the world although Mr Orellana¿s biggest market is the US In recent months the farm has also delivered spiders to the University of Antofagasta in northern Chile, which is researching the cancer-fighting features of Chilean spider and scorpion venom. Inside the farm, workers wear white robes with rubber gloves and face masks as they separate hundreds of newborn spiders into small plastic containers with breathing holes. There is however one spider that is not for sale. A coffee-colored tarantula named Rufina, a particularly big creature that Orellana gave to his wife soon after they first met.