Australian Tarantulas

[Mazycat44]

Hi there
I live in Australia and recently bought a QLD birdeating spider, she's really good to handle but I'm thinking of getting another Tarantula. I know that birdeaters are old world but can you get new world tarantulas in australia if not what tarantula would you recommend.

 

[Greasylake]

but can you get new world tarantulas in australia

In Australia you can only legally keep Australian animals, bear that in mind when getting another T.

I know that birdeaters are old world

Just about every single tarantula has been called a birdeater at some point, it's a term that has no real meaning other than to scare people or sell spiders.

I'm not sure what a good Australian species you can start with would be, I'll let someone else answer that.

 

[moshpitpanda]

Would Australian tarantula species be considered old world or new world?

 

[antinous]

Would Australian tarantula species be considered old world or new world?

Old World, I personally wouldn’t handle them. Heard their bites are potent enough to kill small dogs, wouldn’t kill a person though, just cause them intense pain. Very interesting spiders though.

 

[moshpitpanda]

Old World, I personally wouldn’t handle them. Heard their bites are potent enough to kill small dogs, wouldn’t kill a person though, just cause them intense pain. Very interesting spiders though.

I agree I believe I remenber hearing that Australian species are particularly potent. Very unfortunate for new keepers that they cannot get a non native species

 

[johny]

If it’s a Queensland species, it’s most likely a phlogius species. Generally slimmer build and bigger legspan than other Aussie Ts, like Selenotypus and selenotholus which are more chunky. Phlogius are my personal favourites

I’ll add a picture of a mature phlogius and subadult Selenotypus to show differences

 

[Dennis Nedry]

Hi there
I live in Australia and recently bought a QLD birdeating spider, she's really good to handle but I'm thinking of getting another Tarantula. I know that birdeaters are old world but can you get new world tarantulas in australia if not what tarantula would you recommend.

For starters, the spiders most people think of when you say “bird eating spider” are the Theraphosa sp which are new world.

Second of all I’d recommend Selenotholus sp “kotzman” but don’t even think about handling it of you don’t want to get bitten, every specimen I have ever seen or heard of is extremely defensive. They’re basically the angriest thing alive, but their attitude makes them real fun to watch

 

[johny]

For starters, the spiders most people think of when you say “bird eating spider” are the Theraphosa sp which are new world.

Second of all I’d recommend Selenotholus sp “kotzman” but don’t even think about handling it of you don’t want to get bitten, every specimen I have ever seen or heard of is extremely defensive. They’re basically the angriest thing alive, but their attitude makes them real fun to watch

Very true. Probably the the most angry T I’ve ever seen

 

[Luka98]

I know that birdeaters are old world

Nope there's a lot of "Bird eater" NW's, that's one of the examples why we steer away from common names and stick to scientific ones here

but can you get new world tarantulas in australia

I'm pretty sure you can't unfortunately because Australia doesn't import live animals due to a high invasive species risk

 

[RezonantVoid]

For starters, the spiders most people think of when you say “bird eating spider” are the Theraphosa sp which are new world.

Second of all I’d recommend Selenotholus sp “kotzman” but don’t even think about handling it of you don’t want to get bitten, every specimen I have ever seen or heard of is extremely defensive. They’re basically the angriest thing alive, but their attitude makes them real fun to watch

Yea... Selenotholus Kotzman, of all species in the world, has to be top 3 in anger issues

 

[Dennis Nedry]

Yea... Selenotholus Kotzman, of all species in the world, has to be top 3 in anger issues

The only other two I could put up there are S. calceatum and H. maculata, both of which are light sensitive recluses. On the other hand the Kotzmans sit out in the open all day wihich probably makes maitenance a lot harder