Curious First Pet

[Nodroj]

I've been recently looking into getting my first tarantula. Being a long time Arachnid enthusiast, I've decided I want my first one to my favorite, a mexican red knee. I called a pet store in the area and they said they aren't available very long. They also then said they mainly carry pink toes (too fast for my liking) and Goliaths. I was astonished they even had Goliaths. But now I'm curious. While they are the most fascinating in my eyes, I wonder if they would actually make a good first experience. If they are, then I may consider purchasing one more. But I have my doubts. Haha. Still wouldn't mind knowing. Thanks all.

 

[grayzone]

yeah theyre fairly docile from what i understand. they have a good appetite, are good looking and resiliant, however brachys are a slow grower so if ya DO go with it, buy a big one. cost more but itll get ya used to the hobby. slings (spiderlings) require a lot of patience and a bit more experience in MY opinion. good choice either way and good luck. any questions ya have feel free to ask as theres TONS of great people here to help ya along the way.... welcome to the hobby lol. ya may as well get two of diff types cuz as soon as ya have one youre gonna wish for and want more

---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:24 PM ----------

oh, and btw a lot of people here seem to favor scientific names so for future reference its Brachypelma smithi, or just B. smithi will work..... everybody knows whats what, but some like to be jerks about it. do yourself a favor and save yourself from rude comments or constantly bein corrected lol

 

[Chris_Skeleton]

Goliath birdeaters (T. blondi or T. stirmi) aren't good beginner species. They require a great amount more care than Brachypelma.

 

[Necromion]

if it is a T. blondi I would stay away for your first T but contact the shop and ask for a scientific name as goliath could describe a few other spiders just like anything with the name birdeater.

 

[Lolita]

if it is a T. blondi I would stay away for your first T but contact the shop and ask for a scientific name as goliath could describe a few other spiders just like anything with the name birdeater.

True but since a lot of pet stores can't tell blondi from stirmi to parahybana even it might be best just to take a look in person after doing research.

 

[rockrox1]

blondi's are probably stirmi Ts. Go for brachy species, hardy and docile. I bought mine as a 2cm sling last november, now its already 3" and had a nice color.

 

[jgod790]

Pink toes are really good for beginners. They can be fast, but don't let that turn you away. They NEVER bite or flick hair. They just uhhh just uh shoot fecal matter at you. G. rosea make good starter pets. But yea stay away from the theraphosa aka "goliath" species, until a year or two down the road ( assuming you have good success from now until then ) but if you can afford it, B. smithi, aka Mexican red knee, make GREAT starter T's. There just kinda pricey compared to Avics (pinktoe) and G. rosea.

 

[NikiP]

They NEVER bite or flick hair.

Never say never about tarantula behavior

They can bite or rub off hairs.

Not all of them will, but there are those that will in a heartbeat.

 

[jgod790]

Never say never about tarantula behavior

They can bite or rub off hairs.

Not all of them will, but there are those that will in a heartbeat.

Your right, I shouldn't of said NEVER. If I'm not mistaken, there are only a hand full of reported bites? And I thought they weren't capable of flicking hair?

 

[Tym Hollerup]

But yea stay away from the theraphosa aka "goliath" species, until a year or two down the road ( assuming you have good success from now until then ) but if you can afford it, B. smithi, aka Mexican red knee, make GREAT starter T's. There just kinda pricey compared to Avics (pinktoe) and G. rosea.

I wouldn't necessarily say "stay away" from it for a year or two. I think when the OP is at a comfortable level with Tarantulas a T. blondi (for example) shouldn't be an issue. No one should be discouraged into thinking they're "not ready". I've been in this hobby for only 4 months and I keep a total of 17 Tarantulas. 11 of them being Old Worlds! This includes 4 OBT's, a Pokie, H. lividum, and an H. mac for starters! But I knew the risks, I studied the species, and I felt I was ready to take them on. I don't think that this is the route for everyone, but I wouldn't say one should have to wait years before getting an "expert" species.

Your right, I shouldn't of said NEVER. If I'm not mistaken, there are only a hand full of reported bites? And I thought they weren't capable of flicking hair?

All New World species should be fully capable of flicking hairs.

 

[Redneck]

All New World species should be fully capable of flicking hairs.

Avics are NW... They dont flick their hairs, they rub their hairs on.

Psalmopoeus genus, they dont have urticating hairs... They are also NW.

So, not all new world tarantulas are fully capable of flicking hairs.

 

[Tym Hollerup]

Avics are NW... They dont flick their hairs, they rub their hairs on.

Psalmopoeus genus, they dont have urticating hairs... They are also NW.

So, not all new world tarantulas are fully capable of flicking hairs.

I stand corrected. Thank you Redneck. New Worlds were never my "specialty" so to speak anyway.

 

[malevolentrobot]

all of these absolute statements make my head hurt. if i remember correctly all avics can bite and versicolor possess hairs they can flick.

also, brachypelma can grow faster than most of you expect (even females) but thats a different topic for a different thread.

if you are unsure and don't plan on scouring for research, get the B. smithi, its will be the most forgiving as far as care.

 

[ShadowBlade]

Lets see.. genus of NW'ers withouting urticating hairs:

Catumiri
Hemiercus
Holothele
Oligoxystre
Proshapalopus
Psalmopoeus
Pseudoligoxystre
Sickius
Tapinauchenius

And I've seen Avicularia sp. 'bicegoi' meaner than any OBT.

-Sean

 

[tarantulagirl10]

I say get the B smithi. They are very easy to care for, mine is out in the open all the time, docile, and beautiful. You can always get another larger t later. Once you get one you will be surprised at how many others you "need" too.

 

[Embers To Ashes]

If the store doesnt have one, just go in the clasifeilds section and buy one. That is usualy the best way to go since petstores (for the most part) have no Idea what their talking about.

 

[Spidershane1]

Goliaths aren't all that hard to keep. I don't put much more time into my goliath than any of my other species. I just keep the substrate more moist, keep a plastic bag over most of the screen top to trap in humidity, and mist every day or so....very easy things that anyone is capable of. And of course she requires a larger cage.

With proper research, any T is pretty easy to care for. The only real thing that may be problematic for begginers are really fast T's which may be an escape risk when doing cage maintenence or rehousing.

I say if you want a goliath, then get a goliath. Just do your homework ahead of time & you will be fine. Oh, and wear latex gloves when doing anything inside the cage....the hairs are no joke.

On the subject of the B smithi, I think that will be a perfect T for someone new to the hobby, as first time T owners usually want something that they can hold & show off. I would not reccomend holding a goliath, but as a display pet they are great.

Welcome to the hobby!