An OBT as a good beginner's species?

[Kittylicious]

Ah ah, i remember that list. Well, except for Pterinochilus murinus, that list IMO isn't so bad. Here Lasiodora parahybana was considered, prior to the ban, a Theraphosidae "more" into the begginner ones rather than an intermediate like a Phormictopus cancerides for instance. But here, as i've said, the hobby was/is a very niche one with no YT "bravados" nor impulsive buyers.

It's not a secret that i view Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens as a good beginner one. Had yet to see a "Psycho" GBB, unlike sometimes with Grammostola rosea, one of the most used/abused T when it comes to beginners.
I mean.. yes, they are somewhat speedy (not so much for my point of view) but they aren't defensive.. if someone is really interested in T's keeping, a GBB speed shouldn't be a problem, otherwise.. fish.

Acanthoscurria geniculata isn't the best as well for a complete beginner, maybe, but not even impossible for someone with, at least, a decent "T basics".

Actually A. Genic was one of my first T's. I'd never kept them before, but it was too "pretty" to pass up. I started out keeping T's with a mindset that these are wild animals, and therefore required a healthy dose of respect and a strict adherence to safety precautions. I guess I learned this attitude keeping a Burmese and Reticulated python. So... This mindset being in place... Is an OBT really that bad? Or am I utterly naive?

 

[Royalty]

I got an OBT as my first tarantula. I have kept other spider species and some fast/potentially dangerous "bugs". I would not recommend them to anyone that has not had experience with "bugs" in general. I started with a sling, and it has been my most chill but that might change when it is larger. They can change molt to molt.

I have noticed a lot of 'heavy webbers" seem to have a bit more defensiveness. I know T's generally consider their whole container "home" but perhaps the disturbance they feel on their web is a bit more personal to them? Just a theory based on what I have read from people.

 

[Kittylicious]

I got an OBT as my first tarantula. I have kept other spider species and some fast/potentially dangerous "bugs". I would not recommend them to anyone that has not had experience with "bugs" in general. I started with a sling, and it has been my most chill but that might change when it is larger. They can change molt to molt.

I have noticed a lot of 'heavy webbers" seem to have a bit more defensiveness. I know T's generally consider their whole container "home" but perhaps the disturbance they feel on their web is a bit more personal to them? Just a theory based on what I have read from people.

You know.... Your opinion echoes something I was just discussing with my husband. I was of the opinion that housing them in a much larger habitat than the minimum requirements and letting them "grow into it", would be better.
OBT: Acts like a survivor with PTSD.
Me: A survivor with PTSD.
Could be a perfect match?

 

[Royalty]

You know.... Your opinion echoes something I was just discussing with my husband. I was of the opinion that housing them in a much larger habitat than the minimum requirements and letting them "grow into it", would be better.
OBT: Acts like a survivor with PTSD.
Me: A survivor with PTSD.
Could be a perfect match?

OBTS are semi arboreal and I am thinking I want to let them have more "clearance" . The ones I see threat posturing are usually kept more terrestrial with less "headspace".

 

[Kittylicious]

OBTS are semi arboreal and I am thinking I want to let them have more "clearance" . The ones I see threat posturing are usually kept more terrestrial with less "headspace".

Yes! Exactly. My impression is they aren't "mean". Just easily scared. Years ago I got a Nhandu Tripeppi when it was so new it didn't have a latin name yet. People had em dying left n right. I gave it a habitat offering arboreal, terestrial and fossorial features and "Teddy" thrived. It even tore apart it's old molts and used the pieces to make the walls in it's tunnels!
Point is... They need room and care to express themselves, thus feeling more free to be chill. Look at how Richard from Tarantula Collective houses his OBT... No wonder she's so amicable.

 

[Royalty]

Yes! Exactly. My impression is they aren't "mean". Just easily scared. Years ago I got a Nhandu Tripeppi when it was so new it didn't have a latin name yet. People had em dying left n right. I gave it a habitat offering arboreal, terestrial and fossorial features and "Teddy" thrived. It even tore apart it's old molts and used the pieces to make the walls in it's tunnels!
Point is... They need room and care to express themselves, thus feeling more free to be chill. Look at how Richard from Tarantula Collective houses his OBT... No wonder she's so amicable.

Oh, I like him, I need to check that. I probably have seen it a while back but do not remember. I do remember him talking about how his was not a meanie.