List of Tarantulas by MAX size?

[Barons]

Greetings

I am doing some research and I am thinking about what kind of T I want to get.

Do any of you guys know of a list of T's that can be sorted by size or do you know what the 10 largest are?

The closest thing I have found that shows max size is this http://www.scottstarantulas.com and it doesn't have very many.

Thanks so much for the help

 

[Cuttszo]

I suggest you begin with the smallest tarantula first (chilean rose hair) and work your way up to a theraphosa blondi, aight?

 

[Barons]

Haha thanks for the advice M8

I don't know much but I do know there are hundreds of different types and I'm trying to save some time by going to the 10 largest. As for the Goliath Bird Eater I don't want one that troughs hair. Maybe like the top 9 then hehe

Do you have any idea where I might find out?

Thanks

 

[jen650s]

Well, a G. rosea is not any near the smallest T, the most common maybe but not the smallest. There are many dwarf species, some of them just a couple inches at maturity.

The T. blondi is the most massive, but the L. parahybana is thought to have a larger leg span...and the debate goes on.

 

[Barons]

Thanks so much for the reply

I'm just doing some research. Hoping to find one that very big and very good looking and doesn't flick hairs.

 

[saminthemiddle]

Don't go with the *smallest* spiders you can find. Those dwarf and pigmy spiders have one helluva Napoleon complex.

In fact, I wouldn't constrict myself to not getting some of the big ones off the bat. You can always get a juvie that is of a size you can handle and watch them grow with your experience level.

And don't just get the one's that are really big. For one they take more space but for another the really big ones IMO tend to lack some of the cooler properties that many of the medium to small size varieties have, like color.

 

[jen650s]

The really big Ts seem to be New Worlders, meaning they have utricating hairs. Also, most of the really big Ts are not considered beginner species with the exception of L. parahybana. Some of them because of expense, some of them (like T. blondi) because of care requirements. When you say really big do you mean dinner plate sized or the size of a large hand. Are you looking for arboreal of terrestrial? Some of the arboreals have big leg spans, but are incredibly fast--they are sometimes said to teleport they move so fast, and the bigger ones also have nervous dispositions in most cases.

Think about what you want to care for, why you want a tarantula, and how much time and money you have to spend before just buying the biggest one out there because it's the biggest. Another thing to note, although some will argue about how beautiful some of the big Ts are (I agree, just because I think all spiders are beautiful) many of the big ones are just big brown spiders.

It's great that you are doing research before jumping in, but there is a lot more to it than just the biggest one.

 

[jen650s]

Argh, sam you type faster than me and said it with less words

 

[Barons]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I have reptiles that require certain humidity and temps I already have most of everything I need to house its just a matter of me finding one that looks good.

I want a big one but the most important part to me is finding one that looks good.

Personally I had rather get bitten (Wasp Sting) Than get a barbed hair stuck in my eye. Its just every where I read I hear about how they itch and get in your mouth. I will look for a thread on this as I go.

I want to be able to feed it pinke mice one occasion once its adult size. Its not so much the spread of its legs as it is the body size.

Despite the hair the Lasiodora parahybana looks really good.

 

[jen650s]

I really like my L. parahybanas, my biggest is ~2.5-3" and I got it as a 1/2" sling about 7 months ago. They grow fast, are voracious eaters, are inexpensive enough that all 3 of mine came as freebies and are generally easier care than T. blondis.

I only have new worlders, handle all my Ts and have never had a problem with hairs. I make sure to wash my hands after handling so that I don't inadvertently transfer any from my hands to my eyes and other than that, I some times wear gloves for cleaning out old enclosures after transfers to avoid picking up any loose ones but, that's it. Oh, and I also make sure that my dogs don't get too nosey when they are in the room since some of my bigger enclosures are on the floor and dog eyes full of utricating hairs would be awful and I can't even imagine the vet bill.

And you are right, while they do take a little specialized care it is much less than with many other exotics.

BTW, welcome to the boards and I gotta warn you that they are like Lay's potato chips, nobody can have just 1

 

[Barons]

Haha I can see where that might be a problem. I can see myself with a house full of them in no time!

 

[saminthemiddle]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I have reptiles that require certain humidity and temps I already have most of everything I need to house its just a matter of me finding one that looks good.

I want a big one but the most important part to me is finding one that looks good.

Personally I had rather get bitten (Wasp Sting) Than get a barbed hair stuck in my eye. Its just every where I read I hear about how they itch and get in your mouth. I will look for a thread on this as I go.

I want to be able to feed it pinke mice one occasion once its adult size. Its not so much the spread of its legs as it is the body size.

Despite the hair the Lasiodora parahybana looks really good.

A couple notes:

1) Tarantulas don't need super specific humidity and temp requirements. If you are using a hygrometer or a heat pad you're wasting your money. ...And don't follow pet store care sheets that say *nothing below 85% humidity* or some such bull. Ask here or with someone who has lots of them whether that species are bone dry, dry, dampish, or damp.

2) Some people, like me, seem to be immune to urticating hairs at least if they stay on your hands.

3) don't touch your face and keep your moth shut when working on the cage. Also, if you're lil guy is a eager kicker consider wearing eye protection but I wouldn't think it would be a problem unless you're putting your face right into the tank. (and don't pick your nose either, Snot! :8o)

4) Remember to wash your hands after working with the Ts!

Argh, sam you type faster than me and said it with less words

Don't take it too badly, I transcribe at over 100 wpm when my head is screwed on straight.

 

[saminthemiddle]

.
BTW, welcome to the boards and I gotta warn you that they are like Lay's potato chips, nobody can have just 1

But are tarantulas salty and fatty with a hint of Cool Ranch? NO! Score one for potato chips.

Potato chips make you fleetingly happy, fat, and slow.

Tarantulas make you eternally happy, itchy, sometimes in pain, and automatically geeky.

Tarantulas win. :clap:

 

[Annie3Ponies]

Well said, Sam! I'm stealing that one for a quote!

 

[Merfolk]

There was a list here, topped by T apophysis with a legspan of like 14 inches. But I think it wasn't scientificaly measured!!!

 

[Moltar]

G aureostriata is a very good compromise between large, pretty and docile. They max out around 8" legspan. Now, that sounds small when compared to L parahybana or T blondi with their legendary sizes approaching a foot. the thing to remember is that those are rare specimens. A more realistic adult size for those species is more like 9"-10". Besides, an 8" G aureostriata is still one BIG honkin spider!

Don't let yourself get too hung up on things like who's the biggest, smallest, most/least aggro etc. The physical and behavioral differences between individual specimens vary greatly so the numbers you see tossed around are only good as rough indicators, not rules. When researching t's i suggest you pay more attention to keeping requirements, temperament, size then coloration/markings; in that order.

 

[matthias]

G aureostriata is a good starter T, especialy if you want a big one. But they do grow slow.
Have you looked at Nhandu chromatus? They have nice markings can get over 8 inches and while they can kick hairs my three don't tend to.
They are quick, and tend to run and hide if you startle them. I think they are very underrated Ts.

 

[IdahoBiteyThing]

I'll second that

G. aureo is a great T, and one of my top choices for a beginner T (or for anyone, just plain one of my faves). They're big and chunky, great coloring (subtle, but nice- not just plain brown), visible, great eaters, and rarely throw hairs. Probably one of the least spazzy T's out there. Oh, and did I mention, they rarely throw hairs. Come to think of it, I don't believe any of mine (I think I have 8) have EVER kicked hairs at me. I react like craaaazy to U hairs, and these T's are a joy to work with.

Yes, most of the really big T's are going to be NW with U hairs, so before you go and order thirty eleven L. parahybana's or T. blondi's, you might want to find out how you react to the U hairs. Also, there are several diff types of U hairs and some folks have mentioned that they react differently to the various types. Personally, the Brachypelma's are the ones I find most irritating. I think you should find someone with a big B. smithi or boehmi and get haired just for the experience, to see if you're reactive. (I think I'm kidding, or am I?) :evil:

Also, many people who don't react to U hairs just need a little more time and repeated exposures to get the full effect. Sensitivity to hairs can dramatically increase over time with repeated exposures, so keep in mind that if you don't react to them now, you may react much differently in the future.

 

[Drachenjager]

I suggest you begin with the smallest tarantula first (chilean rose hair) and work your way up to a theraphosa blondi, aight?

i suggest you tell my rosie she is the smallest tarantula lol
either that or research small species your self.

 

[Travis K]

L. parahybana is one I would cconsider pretty easy to keep and the get big and bulky. T. Blondi can be hard to ccare for. But you seeem like one to do a lot of research so if you are feel confident and get what you want.