Anyone know any pet stores in the DC area where I can purchase a tarantula?

[dgreen]

My google searches only get Petsmarts and places close to baltimore.

 

[Vanessa]

I would really recommend that you go with a dedicated tarantula online seller. Pet shops are notorious for having poorly kept, wild caught, misidentified, individuals who are often in very rough shape. I know that shipping is a bit prohibitive, but it is worth it to go to someone who knows what they're doing when it comes to these animals.
Please take a little while to go through some of the absolute horror stories that have been posted here about people's pet shop experiences.

 

[T Lurksalot]

Rick’s Fish and Pet Supply in Frederick, MD has some nice specimens occasionally, but they’re overpriced. Also they have old worlds like Poecilotheria and Heteroscroda for sale with no warnings regarding venom, so if you’re a new keeper make sure you know what you’re buying. I agree you’re better off going with a reputable online breeder.

 

[dgreen]

I would really recommend that you go with a dedicated tarantula online seller. Pet shops are notorious for having poorly kept, wild caught, misidentified, individuals who are often in very rough shape. I know that shipping is a bit prohibitive, but it is worth it to go to someone who knows what they're doing when it comes to these animals.
Please take a little while to go through some of the absolute horror stories that have been posted here about people's pet shop experiences.

Thanks! Do you have any online retailers that u can recommend?

 

[dgreen]

Rick’s Fish and Pet Supply in Frederick, MD has some nice specimens occasionally, but they’re overpriced. Also they have old worlds like Poecilotheria and Heteroscroda for sale with no warnings regarding venom, so if you’re a new keeper make sure you know what you’re buying. I agree you’re better off going with a reputable online breeder.

Yea I’ll stay away. Thanks!

 

[Vanessa]

Thanks! Do you have any online retailers that u can recommend?

We are not able to make recommendations and I am in Canada anyway and have no experience with non-Canadian sellers. Feel free to take a look at the reviews section here: http://arachnoboards.com/reviews-reports/category/reviews.4/

 

[Arthroverts]

Bugs In Cyberspace (not a lot of tarantulas for sale often, but good prices), Swift's Inverts (amazing selection, plus you get a freebie with every order!), Pinchers and Pokies (nice selection, but shipping prices are steep), Jurassic Pet Supplies (huge selection, but steep shipping prices), and Joe Rossi here on Arachnoboards (MASSIVE selection of tarantulas) are all reputable dealers with large selections of tarantulas available (not to mention other invertebrates). Check the Arachnoboards classifieds as well, there is always somebody reputable selling tarantulas, scorpions, spiders, etc.

Hope this helps,

Arthroverts