Beginner old world t's

[Tarantulasareanimalstoo]

Thanks

 

[Hydrazine]

I personally wouldn't go for an Aphnopelma as a beginner T: very, very easy way to have a new keeper lose interest given that they're inactive, rarely eat (because they naturally go months without eating in the wild), and grow insanely slowly. Same with some of the Grammastola species.

I'd personally argue Acanthoscurria geniculata is the ideal beginner T (pretty, active, relatively visible, grows fast, reasonably entertaining especially at feeding time, will eat whenever it's not in premolt), but do note that it's a very fast-moving T when hungry (which it will be unless in premolt).

I had mine leap at the prey insect before it hit the ground, even. My current A.g is also a keen rennovator, she keeps rearranging stuff around her enclosure.

I'd say the geniculata is the perfect T to get as a tiny sling along a subadult or adult let's say T.albo or something along that flavour.
The new keeper's skills grow along with the sling.

 

[CrazyOrnithoctonineGuy]

I had mine leap at the prey insect before it hit the ground, even. My current A.g is also a keen rennovator, she keeps rearranging stuff around her enclosure.

Both of these fit with what I've seen of my sling (I have seen more takedowns from it than any other T I have except for my Pampho) and what most A. genic keepers report. Definitely one of the most fun Ts to watch.

 

[Hydrazine]

Gotta love their "EVERYTHING IS FOOD UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE" attitude.

 

[CutThroat Kid]

Just out of curiosity, which old world species tarantula was it that you found particularly intriguing?

 

[Tarantulasareanimalstoo]

A couple of them actually
H Maculata
H pulchripes
P murinus
M balfouri
P metallica
C lividus
P rufilata
B simoroxigorum
Davus sp Panama
and P victori
I know it's a lot but I find them beautiful and to be honest I don't really mind the bad attitude, although that may change with experience

 

[CrazyOrnithoctonineGuy]

Davus sp Panama
and P victori

These two are not OWs (though P. victori and the other Psalmos have the speed, nervousness and reflexes of OW arboreals)

 

[Tarantulasareanimalstoo]

my bad, that's where I kind of got mixed up with the attributes and the fact that not many people really know where exactly P victori live threw me off

 

[NMTs]

not many people really know where exactly P victori live threw me off

They are endemic to Veracruz, Mexico. They were the first truly arboreal species described in Mexico/North America.

 

[Tarantulasareanimalstoo]

interesting

I know one person said 2 or 3 so for more clarification what is a good number of T's to start with

 

[CutThroat Kid]

The reason people usually get more than one T right away is often because a new keeper finds themselves underwhelmed by the laid-back nature and inactivity of their new pet. So, in chasing the excitement of seeing a spider do literally anything, people go and get more tarantulas. Nothing wrong with this, but I worry that, in an era of impulsive internet purchases and cheap sling prices, some people will get loaded up with slings, and then lose interest after doing hours of care every day. My advice would be to not get more than 5 until you really know you're into doing all the care and maintenance consistently.

Attitude is no big deal, sure. What surprised me the most when I got into it (coming from a background in snake care0 is the speed and unpredictability of movments. These creatures still jumpscare the crap outta me from time to time with their jolty movements.

As for a good beginner NW species, if you really want a blue one, get a GBB. They change colors as they grow too. Great species.
Poeci poop on walls, generally overhyped genus imo, but I would like to see a rufiliata in person one day.

 

[Tarantulasareanimalstoo]

Ok thanks, yeah I imagine it was quite the change from snakes to T's
I kind of forgot about GBB to be honest I do like their colors, but yeah thanks I will keep it noted "do Not buy slings on impulse"

 

[CrazyOrnithoctonineGuy]

generally overhyped genus imo

Take that back. If you can manage their speed and take precautions to avoid being bitten they're some of the funnest Ts around to watch. Insane feeding responses and I find that all of mine (juvie metallica, juvie regalis and 3x sling ornata) are among my more visible Ts, with only the regalis being a bit more reclusive ever since being rehoused (and it still makes multiple appearances every day).

I'd never recommend them for beginners, but anyone who keeps OWs but doesn't have a Pokie is missing out IMO.

 

[CutThroat Kid]

Take that back. If you can manage their speed and take precautions to avoid being bitten they're some of the funnest Ts around to watch. Insane feeding responses and I find that all of mine (juvie metallica, juvie regalis and 3x sling ornata) are among my more visible Ts, with only the regalis being a bit more reclusive ever since being rehoused (and it still makes multiple appearances every day).

I'd never recommend them for beginners, but anyone who keeps OWs but doesn't have a Pokie is missing out IMO.

I can’t take it back that they’re overhyped if you’re literally gonna pedestal them in the same sentence haha.

I think pokis are cool. There are plenty other species worth looking into though.

 

[Hydrazine]

Poeci poop on walls, generally overhyped genus imo, but I would like to see a rufiliata in person one day.

Meanwhile Psalmos poop exclusively on the enclosure door.
Both the P.irminia I used to have and P.cam I have now ignore the side walls in favour of projectile pooping on the front door.

 

[Cldfire]

OW tarantulas can be really skittish and when you don't have any experience with T's you will get "jumpscared" a lot + there is a risk of getting biten and it is extremely painful. I wouldn't recommend OW for beginners but if you want to, start with sling and be cautious. I think that monocentropus baulfori are great as beginner OW's but still I would suggest to go first to New world. There are plenty of amazing good looking spiders in new world and you can pick which you like the most.