I keep Irminia and Pulcher, very pretty T's but I don't see them all that often. Psalmopoeus are great as they (along with the genus Tapinauchenius) are the only T's that can really serve as a step towards keeping Pokies as whilst both can be fast & defensive when disturbed, a bite from a Psalmopoeus spider is far less likely to send you to the hospital than that of any Poecilotheria (though it'd still ruin your day lol).
I feel like both some of the faster & more defensive NW T's and some of the calmer & more laid back OW T's make good "intermediate" species to help prepare you for faster & more defensive OW T's which I'd consider to be "advanced" species.
Perhaps, but I'd rather have a confirmed female.
Well... sure but A genics get really big really fast and can be defensive/are very food aggressive and illicits way more fear in for example my kids and gf. Vs a the gbb who sits in beautiful webbing and always runs if disturbed. Might just be my thoughts though.. I literally started with both of these species as my first T.
Agreed, I have 2 genics and wouldn't consider either of my specimens as 'great T's for beginners'... way more daunting for others than my GBB I'd imagine. Just my personal experience though, both can work for beginners.
Well, now I'm considering getting a P. cambridgei either an adult female or a few P. cam slings & a P. reduncus sling so hopefully I'll end up with a female which is probably an even worse choice for a beginner, but I really like the thought of owning one lol. Psalmos are often considered good "intermediate" Ts. Serve as a good link between NW & OW.
Yeah as someone who's considering a Psalmopoeus as a first T a Stromatopelma is still gonna have to be a HARD no lol. A Psalmo or a good "beginner" OW like a C. darlingi/marshalli, H. pulchripes or M. balfouri would be as far as I'd be willing to go.
My P cambridgei is a very quick nuttjob, and shes like 7inches! Truly would have feared her if I started with her I think. Shes so pretty though and ive never had a threat posture while rehoming her. My P irminia is the calmest slowest arboreal T I have. My A avic gave me more rehousing issues lol
Yeah, that's part of why I'm probably gonna get a few slings. I love the thought of owning an adult female P. cam but idk if I'm ready for that. If I get like 3 or so 1" slings my hope is my experience level will grow w/ them (even though they're fast growers). I inquired about the 6" female P. cam this one dealer I'm looking to buy from has in stock and he said quote "She is average for a cambridgei. Flighty and a bit aggressive if you corner her. If you are wanting smaller ones, I have some 1" cambridgei coming in next Wednesday/Thursday." So, with that being the case, I'll probably go for some smaller ones. It's interesting that you say your P. cam is a "very quick nutjob" and your irminia is "the calmest slowest arboreal T I have" cause from what I've found online it's usually the opposite. P. cambridgei is widely considered a good "introductory Psalmo" and the irminia is typically considered a little more "advanced". Neither one is probably ideal for a beginner vs a slow moving terrestrial NW but I really rather doubt it's the worst option and, as far as arboreals go, they're widely considered to be easier to take care of than Avics. The only Ts I'd rule out for myself as a beginner would be truly nutty OW Ts w/ powerful venom like H. maculata, S. calceatum, OBTs & Pokies and also Ts with advanced care requirements like Theraphosa sp. and T. seladonia (which are also ridiculously expensive).
Already have some, or "had" I should say. My DHS died so I'll have to get another, but I still have my Devil Scorpion. I'm gonna get a replacement Desert Hairy when I buy some P. cam slings.
Each T has its own personality and ig they dont all fit the stereotypes. My irminia is a sweetypie that I have so many pictures and videos of her just casually walking even as i open the door to her enclosure.
Why is it only between a gbb or A. geniculata?I want to collect a few scorpions first (they're my favorite invert) but after that I might delve into the tarantula keeping hobby a little. I was originally thinking of getting a centipede or 2 or after getting a few scorpions but have now decided against that for a few reasons. 1. A lot of them are pretty defensive with a nasty bite (kinda like a lot of OW T's) 2. They're notorious escape artists (probably more so than most tarantulas {new world terrestrial anyways} and scorpions) and 3. I live with my parents (though I am an adult) and they're okay w/ the idea of me owning scorpions & tarantulas (though my mom and sister are moderately arachnophobic) but they absolutely HATE the idea of me owning a centipede. With all that out of the way, the 2 tarantulas I am most considering for a first tarantula are the A. geniculata (Brazilian Giant White Knee) and the C. cyaneopubescens (Green Bottle Blue Tarantula). 2 very hardy and very attractive NW terrestrial T's. I'm leaning more towards the Genic cause they get big, are voracious eaters, and are probably less skittish/prone to bolt than something like a GBB. The cons would be that, while likely less skittish than a GBB, they're likely more defensive and I heard the urticating hairs on Genics are pretty bad and, while their venom isn't medically significant, those fangs could definitely cause mechanical damage if you get bit. Also sounds like they require a little more moisture & humidity than a GBB would (which like to be kept bone dry). With the GBBs some of the pros would be that, while both T's are known to be pretty hardy and great for beginners, the GBBs are probably a little more so since they require less humidity and moisture and, while more skittish, they're smaller, less defensive, the urticating hairs are likely less irritating (from my understanding) & the fangs aren't likely large enough to cause mechanical damage as with a Genic. The big con again with the GBBs would probably be their skittishness and tendency to bolt, since they're known to be one of the faster-than-average moving terrestrial NW T's out there, and I suppose the smaller size is both a pro & a con since, while the smaller size & smaller fangs means less of a risk of mechanical damage in the case you get tagged, it also makes for a slightly less impressive display tarantula (minor gripe, I know, and they largely make up for that by being VERY colorful). I'd be more worried about getting bit or hit w/ urticating hairs by the Genic, but I'd be more worried about the tarantula actually escaping it's enclosure during feeding or maintenance with the GBB. So, with all that being said, what do you guys think would make for a better first pet tarantula and why? Also feel free to suggest other NW terrestrial T's that would be suitable for beginners down in the comments if you don't think either a Genic or a GBB would suitable for a first tarantula. Any help or suggestions regarding this matter would be much appreciated. Thanks!