I haven't bought spiders in any way before but I was thinking about getting a trapdoor spider.

[Scott501]

So basically I know a lot about spiders and have loved them as long as I can remember. I have however kept spiders before but only ones that I've found and caught/saved such as giant house spiders and false widows. But when I've been looking to see what they are like price etc. The websites are saying best suited for experienced owners. Just wondering if anyone has had one and how much "work" they actually are, and if I would actually be able to handle having one as my first bought spider.

 

[Introvertebrate]

..................The websites are saying best suited for experienced owners.................

Those judgements are usually based upon venom level. Every seller assumes that you're 15. If you're 15, ask your parents first. If you're an adult, go ahead and get one.

 

[jbooth]

Yeah, if you are willing to do the research and provide appropriate care regardless of any "danger", do whatever you want. These are probably also classed that way because they are fossorial, you don't often see them, may be moisture dependent, I don't know, and you do have to flood or dig them up for rehouse and they'll be pissed.

 

[RezonantVoid]

Depending on the type of trapdoor desired, their optimal care is a little trickier than most tarantulas but not by any means only achievable to experienced keepers.

Most heavily built lid making species from rainforest environments, liphistius sp. for example, will want a steep slope to burrow horizontally/diagonally into, with the substrate being made predominantly of clay with sand mixed in. Peat moss/cocofibre/coir is not an ideal substrate for many of such species as it's the polar opposite to the soils they naturally live in and is difficult for them to make a durable burrow lid with. Clay be acquired online in the form of reptile excavator clay or dig up from outside in a clean environment free of chemical pollutants