Beginner Tarantulas

[LighthouseAndLibrary]

Hi! I'm on my own for the first time and I've always wanted to get a tarantula ever since I was little, but that was a no go because my mom has arachnaphobia. I am new to owning a tarantula and I thought that I would come here for some advice. Unfortunately, I found a really interesting tarantula, but upon doing more research, I figured out that this would not be a good first tarantula (An OW arboreal one). Instead, I began looking for some docile NW ones and I stumbled upon Grammostola pulchra. Would this be a good first tarantula? While I don't have any experience in cleaning a terrestrial enclosure, I am experienced in taking care of marine aquaria (I know that's not a really good comparison, but it might be worth something.) Any advice is welcome. If this is not a good tarantula, then please let me know so I can do some more research into more suitable species. Thanks in advance!

 

[Poonjab]

G.pulchripes or T.albopilosum, I’m more partial to t.albo. One of my top favorite T’s

 

[Frogdaddy]

Hi! I'm on my own for the first time and I've always wanted to get a tarantula ever since I was little, but that was a no go because my mom has arachnaphobia. I am new to owning a tarantula and I thought that I would come here for some advice. Unfortunately, I found a really interesting tarantula, but upon doing more research, I figured out that this would not be a good first tarantula (An OW arboreal one). Instead, I began looking for some docile NW ones and I stumbled upon Grammostola pulchra. Would this be a good first tarantula? While I don't have any experience in cleaning a terrestrial enclosure, I am experienced in taking care of marine aquaria (I know that's not a really good comparison, but it might be worth something.) Any advice is welcome. If this is not a good tarantula, then please let me know so I can do some more research into more suitable species. Thanks in advance!

Hey buddy, welcome to AB and the hobby. You've made a wise choice. There are some GREAT keepers here and a TON of information here. Everything you need to know can be found on this forum, so pay no attention to any online or pet store care sheets you may come across.

A Grammostola pulchra is an excellent choice for a first T. Relatively undemanding in husbandry requirements. However they are prone to long fasts and pre molts, sometimes being holed up in their burrow for months. If you're ok with that then cool. This is also why most of us have multiple tarantulas. If one is hidden and not eating, the others will.
So prepare your bank account, you're gonna end up getting more tarantulas.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

It's a good beginner species, but keep in mind that they grow extremely slowly. So if you get a sling, don't expect it to grow into an adult spider for many years. Other good beginner species: L. parahybana, A. chalcodes, B. hamorii, C. cyanopubescens.

 

[DomGom TheFather]

That is a good species but there are lots more that grow faster. If you were planning on getting a sling, you might be a little disappointed with a slow grower. As poonjab said, T. albos are great little spiders. They're fun to raise and cute as a button. Plus, they're cheap. Don't worry about cleaning too much. They're pretty easy that way. Good luck on your journey and have fun. Welcome to the hobby.

 

[thatdadlife619]

I suggest the same t any time this is asked.

And while members have already mentioned it, I’ll reiterate.

You can’t go wrong with a T. albopilosum. IMO as well as my own experience this t has proven to be ridiculously easy to care for and forgiving of minor husbandry mistakes.

 

[Emi248]

Cant go wrong with a Brachypelma in my opinion

 

[LighthouseAndLibrary]

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome and great advice! Truth be told, I've always loved seeing B. hamorii at local pet shops because of the coloration on their legs, however, I did look up G. pulchripes and I also love those colors as well. With that in mind, I'll decide what to get in the next few days and I can't wait to post what I get because it'll be a surprise. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Craig73]

Welcome! If you get something from a pet shop don’t let them sell you all the bells and whistles on enclosure and decor. Many times we see new keepers end up with a massive enclosure that a T is not ready for, or all sorts of useless goodies to decorate it with.

If you find out what you’re getting folks here will be happy to make recommendations on enclosures and the like based on the T and size.

 

[joossa]

+1 vote for Brachypelma

 

[Craig73]

+1 vote for Brachypelma

Tliltocatl albopilosum was Brachypelma, so I’ve moved your vote to T. albo. You’re welcome.

 

[Tarantuland]

G pulchra is a good choice. They grow really slow and cost a little more than some but it’s not a bad choice. T albopilosum is good, really any tliltocatl, brachypelma, grammastola, and aphonopelma is a fine choice.

 

[viper69]

Pulchra good

g pulchripes much better due to price

 

[Smotzer]

Here a thhread I receely made on Grammostola pulchra

How do you like your Grammostola pulchra?

Nice! Gotta keep those in mind. I hope psalmopeus sp alquitran becomes available in the hobby at some point

arachnoboards.com

But I alo recommend Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens: Gorgeous sling through adult, proliffic webber, faster growth rate, great appetite, doesnt burrow down and hide and hunger strike for months and months as a sling

 

[viper69]

Here a thhread I receely made on Grammostola pulchra

How do you like your Grammostola pulchra?

Nice! Gotta keep those in mind. I hope psalmopeus sp alquitran becomes available in the hobby at some point

arachnoboards.com

But I alo recommend Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens: Gorgeous sling through adult, proliffic webber, faster growth rate, great appetite, doesnt burrow down and hide and hunger strike for months and months as a sling

A faster species too, good for some, not good for all.

Generally more flicky as well.

 

[LucN]

Here's the way to do things : Acquire both G. pulchra and T. albopilosus. When the pulchra decides to fast, the albopilosus will pick up the slack. What they lack in colour, they totally make up for with a vicious feeding response and a curious personality. Enjoy your Black Lab of Ts and MurderFloof, you're welcome Welcome to this amazing hobby and forum ! Hope that you stick around, there is no better source of info concerning Ts than on this forum.

 

[Craig73]

Here's the way to do things : Acquire both G. pulchra and T. albopilosus. When the pulchra decides to fast, the albopilosus will pick up the slack. What they lack in colour, they totally make up for with a vicious feeding response and a curious personality. Enjoy your Black Lab of Ts and MurderFloof, you're welcome Welcome to this amazing hobby and forum ! Hope that you stick around, there is no better source of info concerning Ts than on this forum.

Don’t call it a ‘’MurderFuff’, that will give me nightmares and I will never look at mine the same. It’s more like naval fuzz.

 

[Smotzer]

A faster species too, good for some, not good for all.

Generally more flicky as well.

Good points they are faster, but Grammostolas also seem to be more likely to get a psycho.

And you know mine are never flicky....I have never had a problem with that once and almost never any signs of it on abdomen but I set them up very well decorated and they seem to be extremely comfortable in there and never defensive.

 

[ccTroi]

Good points they are faster, but Grammostolas also seem to be more likely to get a psycho.

And you know mine are never flicky....I have never had a problem with that once and almost never any signs of it on abdomen but I set them up very well decorated and they seem to be extremely comfortable in there and never defensive.

n=1

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Grammostola pulchra are fine for a beginner but their growth rate is glacial, IMO Tliltocatl albopilosus and Grammostola pulchripes are the two best readily available beginner species you can get