I'm thinking of this for my third species... what do you think?

[ChrisTy]

I'm going to add a second vote for the B. vagans. This was my first T ever and I have had a wonderful time keeping it!. I bought mine at 1 1/2 in. I've had this one for almost a year. "He's" super quick but more likely to flee than do anything else. I haven't had mine kick hairs. He just came out of a molt and has been burrowed for almost two months now so its been kind of a pet hole but the feeding response is amazing. This one will only refuse to eat when going into a molt, otherwise devours everything in site. Absolutely beautiful IMO and a great middle ground for seeing a quicker speed of a T, but nothing too overwhelming as most likely the speed is coming from them pouncing on food or fleeing. I have also not had much problems with rehousing (Only have done this twice). I have to just be patient and eventually he will cooperate and go into the new enclosure without much fuss.

 

[Garth Vader]

I want them all.

 

[viper69]

Anyone that says a Brachy or Grammo doesn't flick or is a "great species because mine doesn't flick" is either not completely knowledgeable on the subject or delusional.

For every person that has a flicker, another has one that doesn't and VICE VERSA for any given species.

People who are truly concerned about flicking should own a NW species that doesn't have urticating setae, and if the general behavior of those species doesn't fit what the person is looking, then they should get a hamster or a reptile etc.

There are too many people who come to this forum looking for the perfect T: docile, doesn't flick, relatively slow, is pretty and all manner of perfect pet criteria, some criteria are subjective.

This all in one T does not exist. Even E sp Red can flick, and will do so. There's a member on the forum, she has a hellion of a E sp Red that acts like an OW.

 

[cold blood]

For your situation i would lean away from those more skittish species as theyre more prone to fast bolts and movements....imo for what you want vagans and gbb are not calm enough.

Pulchra is a notoriously calm species.

If you can find one, T. cyaneolum would be ideal though. Calmest t ive ever seen...great eaters and theyre blue, so theyre really beautiful...similiar to a gbb in appearance, but i think cyaneolum looks even better.

B. Albo, emelia and smithi are also great choices....as is G. pulchripes.

 

[Garth Vader]

Anyone that says a Brachy or Grammo doesn't flick or is a "great species because mine doesn't flick" is either not completely knowledgeable on the subject or delusional.

For every person that has a flicker, another has one that doesn't and VICE VERSA for any given species.

People who are truly concerned about flicking should own a NW species that doesn't have urticating setae, and if the general behavior of those species doesn't fit what the person is looking, then they should get a hamster or a reptile etc.

There are too many people who come to this forum looking for the perfect T: docile, doesn't flick, relatively slow, is pretty and all manner of perfect pet criteria, some criteria are subjective.

This all in one T does not exist. Even E sp Red can flick, and will do so. There's a member on the forum, she has a hellion of a E sp Red that acts like an OW.

Hi viper69- you mean there isn't a perfect T?

I think as I read over this and think about it more, I really do want a T that has a great feeding response and if I end up getting a sling, grows faster.

 

[nicodimus22]

B. Albo, emelia and smithi are also great choices....as is G. pulchripes.

Is there a general reason I almost never hear anyone recommend B. boehemi with this group? AFAIK they are similar to the B. emelia and B. smithi. Is it price? More prone to kick hairs? Something else?

 

[Trenor]

Hi viper69- you mean there isn't a perfect T?

This is a lie. ALL my Ts are prefect.

 

[Olan]

Here's what I would do. Get a Brachypelma (smithi, albopilosum, or emilia) for a nice docile T that is usually out in the open. These also have pretty good feeding responses while growing up. Then add on a geniculata to the order (typically $5 or $10). Seems like you want a nice docile T to show people, but also hear the siren call of a big impressive beast that will destroy any food that gets near it and will challenge you. I'm the same way. Have some brachys that I love, but also have recently acquired a Pampho, phormic, H. gigas, and geniculata.

 

[cold blood]

Is there a general reason I almost never hear anyone recommend B. boehemi with this group? AFAIK they are similar to the B. emelia and B. smithi. Is it price? More prone to kick hairs? Something else?

Yes, boehmi is higher strung often and very flicky....hence the common name of fire leg....fire not being color, but the feeling the hairs give.

 

[Garth Vader]

Thanks, everyone! It's funny - now we're talking about how I should get more than ONE T to satisfy my current desires... haha. I see how this goes. Soon I'll have a full T room.

I am thinking I'd love a G. pulchra, it just looks like the perfect T to me, however only slings seem to be around so I'd be raising that little bugger for a long time since they grow so slowly.

I also still like the idea of A. geniculata, perhaps start with a sling to get used to it. I feel very calm around my current Ts (I certainly didn't at the beginning, I can still remember the days they just made me feel itchy and nervous) and I'd like the challenge. I also wonder, based on input from some of you, if vagans can also fit the bill. From what I'm reading, these species aren't necessarily defensive, but can be skittish and fast- I'd likely just need to be careful and mindful when I'm working with them, rehousing, etc. Are there other concerns to have about that?

Keep in mind that for a show T or even a sometimes- handling T, I do have a mature E sp red and I imagine she's going to be around for a long time. Her name is Ramona. She's just a bit out of commission right now because apparently she has the longest pre-molt ever and she doesn't eat much. Someone needs to eat all these critters going to waste that she is turning down!

 

[Chris LXXIX]

you mean there isn't a perfect T?

There's the Goddess 0.1 Pelinobius muticus PBUH (Peace Be Upon Her) pure vessel of majesty u_u

 

[Garth Vader]

Well, that was just too easy for you to come in and worship the Goddess.

 

[clive 82]

Hi viper69- you mean there isn't a perfect T?

I think as I read over this and think about it more, I really do want a T that has a great feeding response and if I end up getting a sling, grows faster.

If your skin is sensitive then maybe A genic isn't for you. They are known to kick hair & it can be quite bad in some people. I would recommend them though, they are great to own.

 

[clive 82]

Hi all,

So I got my first T in June, a sling A anax. His name is Nigel. He just molted and is now up to about 2.25 inches and looking lovely. I don't really know if he is a male. He's pretty shy and hangs out in a hole a lot.

Then I got Ramona, the E sp red mature female. She's lovely and curious, although she doesn't eat and is currently looking pretty gnarly as I'm guessing she's in premolt (not moving much, bald spot on abdomen, not looking chubby at all though). I also have a sling of hers that is pretty chill, doesn't eat much, has molted once.

I'd like to have another T that I can put to work for exposure therapy and honestly, I've been going through a lot of stress and would like to buy myself a new buddy. I admit it, I am addicted. I would like another one that will be fairly docile, beginner friendly, and shows well. I'm thinking of A geniculata. (The others I've considered are GBB or G pulchra.)

What do you all think? I looked around and some A geniculata slings are around, although from what I read they grow quickly, molt often and eat anything you give them. I'd really like a T that eats all this food my dainty ones turn down and a big black T would be badass to have around, especially for more challenging spider exposures. Do you think this is a good T to have for a beginner? Anything I should know about this species?

How about a Lasiodora Parahybana? They get big, always out so make a good show T, similar temperament to A genic, maybe not as hungry? Easy to care for.

 

[nicodimus22]

Yes, boehmi is higher strung often and very flicky....hence the common name of fire leg....fire not being color, but the feeling the hairs give.

Ah, OK. I knew they were big hair kickers before I got mine, but I shouldn't be disturbing it much aside from rehousing. I just think it's an amazing looking T. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Haemus]

Thanks, everyone! It's funny - now we're talking about how I should get more than ONE T to satisfy my current desires... haha. I see how this goes. Soon I'll have a full T room.

I am thinking I'd love a G. pulchra, it just looks like the perfect T to me, however only slings seem to be around so I'd be raising that little bugger for a long time since they grow so slowly.

I also still like the idea of A. geniculata, perhaps start with a sling to get used to it. I feel very calm around my current Ts (I certainly didn't at the beginning, I can still remember the days they just made me feel itchy and nervous) and I'd like the challenge. I also wonder, based on input from some of you, if vagans can also fit the bill. From what I'm reading, these species aren't necessarily defensive, but can be skittish and fast- I'd likely just need to be careful and mindful when I'm working with them, rehousing, etc. Are there other concerns to have about that?

Keep in mind that for a show T or even a sometimes- handling T, I do have a mature E sp red and I imagine she's going to be around for a long time. Her name is Ramona. She's just a bit out of commission right now because apparently she has the longest pre-molt ever and she doesn't eat much. Someone needs to eat all these critters going to waste that she is turning down!

G. pulchra is an excellent choice, BUT if you want a garbage disposal, I'd say go with the G. pulchripes.

As a display T, I love my C. cyaneopubescens. The silk fortress it constructs is truly something to behold...I can watch it web all day long

 

[mistertim]

Kinda depends on how you define "docile". People often want something that is a combo of traits that you really just don't see. "Docile, easy going, good feeding response, gets really big, is very colorful, grows fast, and is always out and about" generally just isn't in the cards. I have a A. genic and a GBB and they're both awesome spiders, but I wouldn't consider them "docile" in the E. sp red sense. As others have said, A. genics assume EVERYTHING that moves near them is food until they have conclusively proven beyond a reasonable doubt that it isn't. That means attacking tongs, attacking water, and attacking any fingers unlucky enough to get close to them. GBBs aren't AS insane as genics about their food but they are more nervous than genics and they are skittish and are very quick, especially for a NW terrestrial.

If you want something that is more laid back but is a looker and is generally out and about something like a G. pulchripes might be your best bet.

 

[Garth Vader]

I'm having a lot of fun researching all of these suggestions. So here's one I just ran across - G iheringi. Does anyone have one of these? I see it is more skittish that most other Grammastola. Very beautiful and an agressive eater so I'm curious. I do think I'm more set on an aggressive eater than a docile T, I just don't want to get one that's too much for a newbie.

 

[nicodimus22]

I'm having a lot of fun researching all of these suggestions. So here's one I just ran across - G iheringi. Does anyone have one of these? I see it is more skittish that most other Grammastola. Very beautiful and an agressive eater so I'm curious. I do think I'm more set on an aggressive eater than a docile T, I just don't want to get one that's too much for a newbie.

I've researched the crap out of them recently...would love to have one, but they are rather expensive in the two stores I could find them in. It's probably just a supply and demand thing, as they seem to be somewhat rare.

This is the cheapest I've seen: https://fearnottarantulas.com/product/grammostola-iheringi-entre-rios-2-juvenile/

You could have a few tarantulas for that price, so it depends how badly you want it. I doubt you would have any trouble with it, as long as you were careful.

Update: just noticed they are now out of stock there. Here is another one that was updated 1/12/17, so it must be current: http://www.jabberwockreptiles.com/tarantulas-inventory

 

[Garth Vader]

Thanks for this info @nicodimus22
We must be perusing similar sites- I saw this on the fearnottarantulas site and then noticed they were out. Thanks for the link to the other site.

Yes it does seem a bit spendy. They sure are beautiful. Now that I've been researching Grammastola I kind of want them all.