Hey guys I’m new at this tarantula hobbyist thing but I’ve been thinking about owning a dwarf tarantula

[PapaSpyder26]

Thank you.

You’re welcome

 

[ShureevilKnevil]

So most dwarf and small species are bolty and fast and have TINY spiderlings, which can be difficult for a new keeper to care for (in my opinion they aren't but it depends on the species). I would recommend keeping an eye out in the classifieds for adult or subadult female specimens. Just bear in mind, you *will* pay more. It will hurt your wallet.

It sounds like what you'd really enjoy, though, are some of the high altitude dwarfs that are found in the Andes mountain range, since they tend to be slow-moving and are slow growing. They can still be fast when they need to be, so be prepared. On the downside, the ones from Chile, such as the Homoeomma chilensis (formerly Euathlus sp red) and most Euathlus species, are no longer allowed to be exported, but demand is incredibly high, so availability is severely limited. Getting conditions right for these guys to make more of themselves is incredibly difficult and not something most North American breeders have dialed in yet, so a lot of of the specimens that are available are imported from Europe and the cost will reflect that. That's why H chilensis now goes for around $200 for a spiderling, but they are still almost impossible to find.

Genera that you'd want to keep an eye out for are Euathlus, Homoeomma and Hapalotreumus. They're all ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

A species that I absolutely adore that fits your bill perfectly and is available is Plesiopelma sp Bolivia, but the slings are tiny. If you can get hold of a larger specimen, you won't regret it. They aren't too pricey yet, but that might be because of their glacial growth rate. If you have the money, I also recommend Hapalotremus albipes, despite being a little spendy. I'm not sure if anyone still has any right now, but they're incredible, and look amazing. They also have an excellent feeding response.

Neischnocolus sp Panama is great. I've kept two so far and they're both doing well. I guess you could say that they are a bit skittish, and both are burrowed for now but they didn't arrive nearly as small as something like Cyriocosmus sp does. They are somewhat delicate at smaller sizes from what I hear, so I would recommend that you aim for a specimen that is closer to an inch if you can.

Theraphonsinae sp Panama slings are very delicate and I would not recommend them to beginners.

There are many other awesome dwarf species that move a little faster, like true spiders almost, that are really cool if you're interested. Cyriocosmus, Bonnetina, Dolichothele, Neoholothele, and are all very cool genera with species that can be super attractive. I always take a close look at species available within these to see if I would like them. I haven't kept Bonnetina (believe me I want all of them), but the rest are speedy and beautiful. Most species in the Cyriocosmus genus are very small and absolutely gorgeous, but can be very fast. In my opinion, the primary downside to some of the smaller, faster specimens is that most don't live very long.

Neoholothele incei are fantastic. They are gorgeous, affordable, spin lots of web, but are fast. As long as you're careful with these guys, they are totally worth it, imo. Just be aware of their speed. I think they are this board's favorite dwarf species.

And finally, we have some neat dwarfs and small species native to North America, but most are fossorial and you won't see them much. Aphonopelma dwarfs are mostly a beautiful dark grey, but they are extremely cool. Not a show tarantula, as they will most often be in their burrow. If you're lucky, that will be against the glass and you can see them. They have the added benefit of living for 6 million years, but they are so reclusive, I'm not sure they have much appeal for a newer keeper that wants to check out dwarfs.

I did not get into Old World dwarfs yet but I can if you want XD

(hey I like dwarfs)

Very informative ty!

 

[ShureevilKnevil]

Very informative ty!

In the beginning I went in enjoying the idea of using my catch fast little critter s skills.
Having worked with lab mice and many small critters like birds, tiny primates, jumpy reptiles, monkeys and God knows what else for most of my adult life, I was not prepared for that moment the first little lighting fast 1.5" t hauling spiderbutt across my desk. Ah yes. The newbie moment.
It wasn't the fear of it having escaped, it was the unfortunate realization of what can happen when you do quickly but gently catch them.
Being so small I accidentally did something for it to lose a leg and I felt absolutely terrible!
I still do and it has long since repeatedly molted.

The list of things I have done wrong, or simply could have done better is pretty long.

You explaining the bolty dwarf species has changed my mind about the dwarf beauty .

Well, at least for now anyway.

That was

 

[Storm76]

I’m going to get 3 in total of 4 I’m going to get: Grammostola Pulchra, Eupalaestrus Campestratus, Maybe a Aphonopelma Chalcodes / Avicularia Purpurea but I’m not sure. I’m doing more research on Aphonopelma Chalcodes, Grammostola Pulchra, & Eupalaestrus Campestratus but I don’t know about Avicularia Purpurea people can’t switching up, with A. Purpurea wasn’t a beginner species to they are a beginner species but fairly new to the hobby so I don’t know. I’m probably going to get the Aphonopelma Chalcodes



Beautiful baby you have

Oh, that one is a beautiful 0.1 H. chilensis by now. Bought 4 back then, 3 turned out to be females and they still thrive. Easily one of my favs nowadays, despite the fact that they're NW & dwarfs. Can't go wrong with these, hands down!

 

[PapaSpyder26]

Oh, that one is a beautiful 0.1 H. chilensis by now. Bought 4 back then, 3 turned out to be females and they still thrive. Easily one of my favs nowadays, despite the fact that they're NW & dwarfs. Can't go wrong with these, hands down!

I love NW Ts more. Because I love that slow moving, slow growing, and the fact that they are babies, just proves that I can grow with them as I age. And I’ll still consider them as my children. Because well. I love them and will always love them. But yes that’s what I’ve heard too that you can’t go ground with a dwarf species that’s a new world

 

[Storm76]

I love NW Ts more. Because I love that slow moving, slow growing, and the fact that they are babies, just proves that I can grow with them as I age. And I’ll still consider them as my children. Because well. I love them and will always love them. But yes that’s what I’ve heard too that you can’t go ground with a dwarf species that’s a new world

Even NWs can be fast if they want. Arboreals seemingly more so than terrestrials but they are all capable of moving fast.

 

[ShureevilKnevil]

Even NWs can be fast if they want. Arboreals seemingly more so than terrestrials but they are all capable of moving fast.

I have every age of both types. It really surprises me how true this is.

 

[Craig73]

but I don’t know about Avicularia Purpurea people can’t switching up, with A. Purpurea wasn’t a beginner species to they are a beginner species but fairly new to the hobby so I don’t know.

A. Purpurea is the same care requirements as any other Avicularia. Extremely slow growth rate in comparison to the others. They can be a great beginner species as long as you understand Avic husbandry. Slings tend to be skittish, but no where near comparable to say a C. Versicolor in my experience.

 

[PapaSpyder26]

A. Purpurea is the same care requirements as any other Avicularia. Extremely slow growth rate in comparison to the others. They can be a great beginner species as long as you understand Avic husbandry. Slings tend to be skittish, but no where near comparable to say a C. Versicolor in my experience.

Ahh okay thank you for that

 

[USNGunner]

I just got my new T's in Tuesday.

Sexed Female Cyriocosmus leetzi 1"
Sexed Female Psalmopoeus cambridgei 1.5"
unsexed Neoholothele incei "olive" 3/4"

Awesome little spoods, but I'll second that the N. Incei are "FAST".

 

[PapaSpyder26]

I just got my new T's in Tuesday.

Sexed Female Cyriocosmus leetzi 1"
Sexed Female Psalmopoeus cambridgei 1.5"
unsexed Neoholothele incei "olive" 3/4"

Awesome little spoods, but I'll second that the N. Incei are "FAST".
[/QUOTE

That’s totally awesome and thanks for the info

 

[Arachnanoob95]

One species that is more medium-sized that hasn't been mentioned but deserves to be mentioned is the Thrixopelma cyaneolum. I own an adult female and love her so much! She is a voracious eater, stunning, and docile. When disturbed she is a little skittish and hides but when it comes to rehouses she just freezes and won't move. I guess a con to this species is also availability.
I also have H. chilensis slings. I have had them for almost two years now and they have gone from miniature to well ... less miniature. They are about 1 inch now. But they are kinda starting to look like the adult version with the red patch on their abdomen, which is seriously adorable.
I recently bought another Homoeomma sling, an H. sp blue peru II. This is not at all a dwarf species, they become pretty big, but so damn beautiful. And according to some stuff I read online, quite docile too. They are blue with striking golden stripes on their legs. Gorgeous species.

 

[PapaSpyder26]

One species that is more medium-sized that hasn't been mentioned but deserves to be mentioned is the Thrixopelma cyaneolum. I own an adult female and love her so much! She is a voracious eater, stunning, and docile. When disturbed she is a little skittish and hides but when it comes to rehouses she just freezes and won't move. I guess a con to this species is also availability.
I also have H. chilensis slings. I have had them for almost two years now and they have gone from miniature to well ... less miniature. They are about 1 inch now. But they are kinda starting to look like the adult version with the red patch on their abdomen, which is seriously adorable.
I recently bought another Homoeomma sling, an H. sp blue peru II. This is not at all a dwarf species, they become pretty big, but so damn beautiful. And according to some stuff I read online, quite docile too. They are blue with striking golden stripes on their legs. Gorgeous species.

I believe it. Besides the Thrixopelma Cyaneolum was the most gorgeous one of them all next to Thrixopelma Lagunas, & Homoeomma sp Blue are the most gorgeous of the species. Besides all three are the most docile yet skittish species ever

 

[Pyrelitha]

Idk I have no opinions

 

[PapaSpyder26]

Idk I have no opinions

You have the Incei Gold T have ya? Looks very beautiful friend

 

[Pyrelitha]

You have the Incei Gold T have ya? Looks very beautiful friend

I have the gold, olive, of the N incei, i have the Theraphosinae sp panama, haplopelma sp columbia -large and small. The gold is my current favorite, theyre so pretty, mines quite calm(individuals vary) very food responsive, and webs like a mad man. So personally theyre my choice.

 

[PapaSpyder26]

I have the gold, olive, of the N incei, i have the Theraphosinae sp panama, haplopelma sp columbia -large and small. The gold is my current favorite, theyre so pretty, mines quite calm(individuals vary) very food responsive, and webs like a mad man. So personally theyre my choice.

That’s good to know besides all of the N Incei Ts are very gorgeous and hearing you say about it is amazing to hear thank you for that

 

[Pyrelitha]

Np I enjoy her so much I bought 8 more slings of the gold only had them for about 2 weeks yet so I cant speak on their individual responses/whether theyre more skittish then my current girl.

 

[PapaSpyder26]

Np I enjoy her so much I bought 8 more slings of the gold only had them for about 2 weeks yet so I cant speak on their individual responses/whether theyre more skittish then my current girl.

sweet.