thinking about tarantulas

[ohh_kristina]

I am thinking about getting a tarantula. This will be my first invert, other than a few Apple Snails that I keep in my aquarium. Which would you recommend? I really like the look of the Mexican Fireleg, Brazilian Black&White, and Mexican Red Knee. Which of these three would be best for a beginner? I must warn you, I am afraid of spiders..and this is one of my quests to get over that fear. T's are beautiful creatures and deserve a lot of respect, which I like in an animal :). Any help would be appreciated (links, care sheets, books, etc)! Thanks :D

[Emily-Fisher]

Of those three species, I would suggest the brachypelma smithi(mexican red knee.) Brazilian black & whites are supposedly EXTREMELY agressive and fast and are only for the most experienced of keepers. Boehmis are an ideal begginner's tarantula but they are insane hair flickers. B. smithis and G. Roseas are like the best begginner tarantulas that you can possibly own. Tarantulas are EXTREMELY addictive though so watch out... two months ago, I really didn't like spiders and now, I kiss mine goodnight!! :D Awesome critters!! If you have any questions, feel free to PM me!!

[ohh_kristina]

okay, thanks! I will research Mexican Red Knees and if I have any questions, I'll contact you :)

[nouserpif]

I had a brizillian red and white, also known by 50+ other friggin common names (also black and white) and it was jumpy, but seemingly quite hardy, and not very agressive at all... forget the scientific name, tho... Vitalius cristatus or so..
Dan Conner

[Tarcan]

I would agree with Emily that the best spider of the one you listed for someone who starts would be Brachypelma smithi.

Although this poses a technical problem. Bigger specimen of CITES listed species (Brachypelma spp.) are hard to find and usually command high prices when you find one (I will not go into the details of the reason of this). If you are starting with your first tarantula, you may not want to invest that kind of money. You will find spiderlings of this species for affordable prices but hatchlings are EXTREMELY small and they grow rather slowly.

Brachypelma boehmei is less suited since it is a much more nervous species and like Emily said, kicks a LOT of urticating hair. The same as B. smithi can be said about it's availability but it is usually even more expensive then B. smithi...

As Dan pointed out, there are a lot of Ts that match the Brazilian B & W description. The one that is the closest to that is Nhandu coloratovillosum. It is a nervous spider that kicks a lot of hair and you will have trouble finding an affordable specimen of these. Not very defensive but not a good choice for someone who starts.

The B & W redrump, Lasiodora cristata (A.K.A. Vitalius cristatus) is an extremely defensive animal... not suited.

The giant whiteknee, Acanthoscurria geniculata, is a great display animal, very resisitant and usually not too defensive, but not necessarly the best choice for someone who starts, but to be considered...

Here is my personnal opinion:

The all time best beginner species is Grammostola aureostriata (Chaco Golden Knee), but you will have trouble finding a specimen of good size. Spiderlings are available for cheap, but they take forever to grow...

Your best choice.... a nice docile Grammostola rosea (the good old Rosie, or chilean rose...). Very offordable, great looking, does not kick hair often (almost never should I say) and rather easy to take care of...

I hope this helps, sorry for the long post, good luck.

Martin

[jay76]

Rosies are an excellent choice. She seems rather placid, but I'm refraining from picking her up unless I have to because I'm afraid I'll drop her. I don't know if it's rosies or T's in general but she seems to wig out every once in a while and fling her water cup around the tank. The only regret I have is not getting one sooner :)

[woody]

My G. rosea is a foul tempered monster. I got it expecting it to be fairly docile but it always seems as though it woke up on the wrong side of the web.

[Tarcan]

Some G. rosea a fairly defensive indeed. It depends on specimens.

[woody]

Mine must be one of those specimens because it's even goes after my hand when I fill the water dish most times.

[TheRedDragon]

Double post. *grrrr* Sorry about that.

[TheRedDragon]

I got a Guyana Pink Toe (Avicularia Avicularia) as my first...she's incredibly docile but fast, but I've never had any trouble with her. Tarantulas are awesome, and I'm so happy that I finally decided to get one, I'm sure you won't be dissapointed either. A Chilean Rosehair and Mexican Red Knee are also good starter spiders.

[jay76]

Woody, has your rosea flicked hairs at you at all?

[woody]

It's made it apparent that it's more than willing but I didn't push the matter. On the few occasions that I've tried to pick it up it will get into the hair flicking position.

[jay76]

Holy. Proof positive that categorizing something as friendly or nippy isn't always right.

[woody]

Yeah, I'd say. I'm still kinda hesitant to pick up any of my spiders and things like this don't help much lol

[Pixie]

Glad you're considering getting yourself a tarantula :D I love them and my collection keeps growing very fast!!! Just a few weeks ago I just had 2 and now I'm already up to 8 with two more on the way soon!!!

There are some great suggestions here on which species to begin with. My personal top 2 for beginners would be the pink zebra beauty or chaco golden knee. These two particular species are incredibly mellow and easy going. They tend to be quite slow moving and turn into "pet rocks" during handling sessions.

I just came back from the Totally Pets show where I was helping out at the Arachnomania booth. I've never handled tarantulas so much in such a short period of time, lol! Had one in my hand virtually the entire time.

I loved holding the pink zebra beauties, they were extremely tolerant! They were out for hours being handled and never showed one sign of stress!!! Many people handled them over the three days and they were just mellow as can be! I was totally impressed!!!

I handled quite a few rosies as well during the weekend. The majority were quite mellow as well tolerating the handling but they are more active and will get spooked a bit more easily. Still a great beginner species IMHO. If you choose this species, have the person take them out to see their temperament as some aren't as friendly as others.

My first was a b. smithi who I handle as well without problems either. She will flick a bit of hairs on occasion but is quite mellow and a great girl to have.

Good luck picking your tarantula, I find that is the hardest part!!! ;)

Pixie

[Emily-Fisher]

Anny... 8 already?! Wow, last time I saw you, you had 4!! I can't wait until this weekend!! :D

Funny how you say that Chaco Golden Knees and Pink Zebra Beauties are what you reccommend... those two species just happen to be the top two species of tarantula that I want right now if you ignore the a. avicularias!! It sucks that I am not allowed anymore pets for the next year at least :(

[inuleki]

yeah, i'd have to say the G. aureostriata (chaco golden)... they get huge, i've never seen one the least bit skittish, and they make great display T's. They are also very hardy and easy to take care of, which i believe is important in a first T.

I started out with a G. rosea and now have 35 different T's, with very few repeats of sp. (trying to focus on the Pamphobetus sp. mainly now...)

[reverendsterlin]

add in Aphonopelma chalcodes and Aphonopelma bicoloratum and others of the Avicularia ssp.

[reverendsterlin]

if you order a "chaco" be sure to go with the latin name, Acanthoscurria chacoana is known as a chaco hairy and has possibly significant venom an a nasty attitude. lol at least no one said to get a Chilobrachys or Poecilotheria ;)