Arachnophobia

[herriotfan]

I've always had a fear of spiders and last weekend I was very brave and held a Chaco Golden Knee youngster.
I was so proud of myself!
Now I'm thinking very seriously about getting a tarantula to help me get over my irrational fears.
I would prefer a spider that is fairly slow growing and one that won't get too big.
Something that's slow and has a docile temperament is a must.
The more research I do the more confused I seem to be.
Could you come up with some suggestions please? :idea:

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

Euathlus sp red is exactly what you are looking for.

Edit.

This is mine.

 

[Cavedweller]

Kudos on working to overcome your fear! I was just talking to a neighbor today who overcame her arachnophobia by getting a Rosie. I believe there are quite a few members of AB who were originally arachnophobes as well.

Since I've only just gotten my first tarantula (an Avicularia of unknown species), I can't advise you on what species would be most suitable to your needs. However, I will give you the obligatory plug to also try millipedes, if that sounds interesting to you/you have some kind of generally creepy-crawly phobia to get over. Since you're in the UK, you have access to many more species at much lower prices than us US keepers do.

 

[herriotfan]

Kudos on working to overcome your fear! I was just talking to a neighbor today who overcame her arachnophobia by getting a Rosie. I believe there are quite a few members of AB who were originally arachnophobes as well.

Since I've only just gotten my first tarantula (an Avicularia of unknown species), I can't advise you on what species would be most suitable to your needs. However, I will give you the obligatory plug to also try millipedes, if that sounds interesting to you/you have some kind of generally creepy-crawly phobia to get over. Since you're in the UK, you have access to many more species at much lower prices than us US keepers do.

I keep a whole host of other pets including reptiles and have no problems with them so I hope I'll be able to overcome my fear of spiders.
I can deal with the crickets, locusts, mealworms etc so feeding isn't an issue. I just need to get my head round handling and dealing with the close proximity of a spider.

 

[Cavedweller]

Alrighty then, a Brachypelma albopilosum (curly hair) might be suitable for you?

What is your plan for getting over your spider-fear? How bad it is? Are you able to look at photos of spiders?

 

[herriotfan]

Alrighty then, a Brachypelma albopilosum (curly hair) might be suitable for you?

What is your plan for getting over your spider-fear? How bad it is? Are you able to look at photos of spiders?

I can look at photos and watch youtube clips.
I held a Chaco Golden Knee (a young, smallish one) last weekend which is why I think I could overcome my fear if I got a docile, slow species.
My plan would be to look after the T and maybe handle once a week?
I've read conflicting opinions on handling and I'm not sure if I should handle more, less or not at all!
I really like the look of the B.smithi and research tells me these are normally docile although they do flick hair.
The spiders that 'bother' me most are the ones that resemble house spiders.
I prefer the 'fluffy' looking ones!

 

[Ivan M]

Smithi would be my choice for you. Just so you know, you really don't have to handle them at all, i use transfer cups when cleaning their enclosures or rehousing. Looks like your fears are starting to subside, be careful you may get addicted and will probably own more than a few.:biggrin:

 

[herriotfan]

Smithi would be my choice for you. Just so you know, you really don't have to handle them at all, i use transfer cups when cleaning their enclosures or rehousing. Looks like your fears are starting to subside, be careful you may get addicted and will probably own more than a few.:biggrin:

I know all about the addictions....that's how I've got so many snakes.
I used to be afraid of those until I braved it one day and held one.
I've already got a T shortlist for when I've overcome my fear!! :wink:

 

[kalebo1]

I own both Brachypelma smithi and Brachypelma albopilosum. If you are looking for something that is very slow, docile, and fluffy...I would definitely suggest the B. albopilosum. Just remember that every tarantula is different and one could be more defensive than the other. I purchased my Curly Hair a year ago as a half inch sling. She is now close to 3 inches. She is a slow grower, great feeder, and she has never kicked hairs or giving me a threat posture. She is the tarantula I prefer to show people who are getting over their fear of spiders. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the hobby.

 

[Adam20202]

I would maybe go for Grammostola pulchra aka Brazilian black... Very slow growing, and docile, although when they r fully
Grown Which takes a lot of years..... Can get to some 7" dunno if that's too big? Or as already stated the
Brachypelma albopilosum
Curly haired t would be a good choice

 

[Akai]

I think the fangs of a G. Pulchra can be rather intimidating docile or not to a beginner. Their fangs rival those of Ts much larger then them. Get a Brachy. Slow growing. Even temperment. A B. Albopilosum or B. Smithi would be my choice.

 

[Adam20202]

Yeah their fangs are big, but they are very tolerant, and good natured, not even kick, or even threat posture, least from what I
Find! And it's a great display t as well. But smithies kick a lot and you don't want that. But brachy is another great choice what I would go for. And also my brachy is a good display t.

 

[Akai]

Hey don't get me wrong. I think G. Pulchras are a gorgeous display T. Nothing beats a mature velvet black female. My mature female's fangs almost touch the ground. It's hard to imagine unless you see one up close. lol

 

[Ziolizard]

My G. pulchripes is an absolute sweet heart. They grow slowly, and mine is about seven inches in legspan, which is actually on the larger side for his species. Since that's the one you fell in love with, why not take one home?

Of course, all of the other suggestions here are good, too. Brachypelmas are very easy to take care of, and Grammostolas are slow to grow and most are beginner-friendly. You have a lot to think about! Good luck on your T search. =)

 

[Taranto1989]

The T I show people to get over their fear is any one of my 5 G. rosea. They can be a little moody but for the most part they are a fuzzy rock in a tank. Growth rates are slow either male or female 10+ years and I hold mine every day. They just fast some times. G. rosea was my first t and I highly recommend them to all my friends.

 

[Poec54]

The T I show people to get over their fear is any one of my 5 G. rosea. They can be a little moody but for the most part they are a fuzzy rock in a tank. Growth rates are slow either male or female 10+ years and I hold mine every day. They just fast some times. G. rosea was my first t and I highly recommend them to all my friends.

Problem with roseas is that their temperments vary quite a bit, and some can be pretty defensive. That and the fact that they're usually very sedentary, and notoriously fussy eaters often fasting for months at a time, makes them frustrating for many owners (as posts on forums attest). They have the virtues of being plentiful and cheap, but other than that not especially good as a first tarantula. There are better choices.

 

[PeaceBee]

I have two roseas (plus a sling, so three). One is terribly skittish and the other is a devil on eight legs O.O But, as Poec said, their temperaments vary, so maybe you could find one that isn't nuts like my two girls
Every G. pulchripes I've seen has been super chill. My A. avic is really docile, too