Looking for starter sling

[LegatetheWolf]

Hi guys! (First post, hurray!) I've been loving my Rose hair tarantula for awhile now, she's the perfect size and she's really good at just behaving in general really. But as time has gone on I've started to want to try growing a sling. I've got the basics like feeding, housing, and the understanding they can be pretty fast when the want to be but I wanted to ask some more experienced keepers on what species would be a good one to raise first, since I'll need to learn this process over time rather than jumping in and buying a very care-depending sling.
Thanks for any help!

 

[Venom1080]

Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, Euathlus, Grammostola, Acanthoscurria, Nhandu, Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, Chromatopelma, Hapalopus (very fast), Neoholothele, Lasiodora, are all fairly easy.
Nhandu, Acanthoscurria, Pampho, Phormic, Lasiodora, Hapalopus, are all a little more moisture dependent than the others.

 

[LegatetheWolf]

Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, Euathlus, Grammostola, Acanthoscurria, Nhandu, Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, Chromatopelma, Hapalopus (very fast), Neoholothele, Lasiodora, are all fairly easy.
Nhandu, Acanthoscurria, Pampho, Phormic, Lasiodora, Hapalopus, are all a little more moisture dependent than the others.

Awesome! Thanks so much! I'll put some research in and try to see if I can't get one.

 

[Venom1080]

Awesome! Thanks so much! I'll put some research in and try to see if I can't get one.

best avoid caresheets on the internet. they lead a ton of beginners astray.

 

[Draketeeth]

Welcome to the excitement of raising a baby! Slings are cool cause you get to watch them grow, and their behavior is really interesting. I'm working on raising a few species, so here are some observations on these beginner-friendly starters.

Brachypelma albopilosum - little bulldozers. Both of mine were always rearranging their tanks and digging elaborate tunnel systems. They're clear about their "do not disturb" signs, and when they like to be fed.

Grammostola pulchripes - slower growing than the B. albo and not as prone to dig. While skittish, it resurfaces quickly and is pretty much always out and about when not disturbed. I like watching the stripes get bolder with each molt.

Alphonopelma hentzi - very frustrating little thing. Slowest growing of the three, and had this been my first, I'd probably never have gotten another. My 1/4 inch sling has been on a six month fast. Before that it molted with no noticeable growth. I will probably have to will it to my children, having never seen its mature size On the other hand, it seems pretty bulletproof.

 

[Graves6661]

I can't recommend Acanthoscurria geniculata enough. Easy to care for and exciting to watch during feeding. Also, they are great display spiders. Always out around the enclosure to view.

 

[LegatetheWolf]

Welcome to the excitement of raising a baby! Slings are cool cause you get to watch them grow, and their behavior is really interesting. I'm working on raising a few species, so here are some observations on these beginner-friendly starters.

Brachypelma albopilosum - little bulldozers. Both of mine were always rearranging their tanks and digging elaborate tunnel systems. They're clear about their "do not disturb" signs, and when they like to be fed.

Grammostola pulchripes - slower growing than the B. albo and not as prone to dig. While skittish, it resurfaces quickly and is pretty much always out and about when not disturbed. I like watching the stripes get bolder with each molt.

Alphonopelma hentzi - very frustrating little thing. Slowest growing of the three, and had this been my first, I'd probably never have gotten another. My 1/4 inch sling has been on a six month fast. Before that it molted with no noticeable growth. I will probably have to will it to my children, having never seen its mature size On the other hand, it seems pretty bulletproof.

Oh cool thanks so much I might try for the Brachypelma albopilosum if I can find one. I really like the curlyhairs' look. About how quick do they grow?

 

[PanzoN88]

B. Albopilosum: from my experience they are definitely not the fastest growers, but nor are they slow growers. They are easy to care for. I got mine as a 1/4" sling and fast forward three years and that little sling is now a confirmed 2.5" female

 

[Venom1080]

B. Albopilosum: from my experience they are definitely not the fastest growers, but nor are they slow growers. They are easy to care for. I got mine as a 1/4" sling and fast forward three years and that little sling is now a confirmed 2.5" female

That would be slow...

 

[cold blood]

medium.

But the smaller they are they faster they will grow. For an albo or even a pulchripes, growth up to 2" fairly fast, but by 2", that's when growth slows and molt cycles become extended. Just keep them warmer and feed them well.

Little albos are among the better eating of Brachy slings and a very good choice, along with that aforementioned G. pulchripes.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, Euathlus, Grammostola, Acanthoscurria, Nhandu, Phormictopus, Pamphobeteus, Chromatopelma, Hapalopus (very fast), Neoholothele, Lasiodora, are all fairly easy.
Nhandu, Acanthoscurria, Pampho, Phormic, Lasiodora, Hapalopus, are all a little more moisture dependent than the others.

And Jack the Giant Killer, let's not forget Jack the Giant Killer. He loves a bit of humidity every now and then

 

[cold blood]

@Chris LXXIX is just a little crazy...this is the only pic on the net that I could find of him.https://images.esellerpro.com/2152/I/556/93/lrg6319396_1000.jpg

 

[Chris LXXIX]

@Venom1080

Ah ah, that's how I love to call genus Thrixopelma, since they love to climb like Jack with the beanstalk :-s

 

[Angel Minkov]

P. miranda is a pretty calm spider ^^

 

[cold blood]

@Venom1080

Ah ah, that's how I love to call genus Thrixopelma, since they love to climb like Jack with the beanstalk :-s

Only ockerti...the rest of the genus is terrestrial.

 

[Ungoliant]

I can't recommend Acanthoscurria geniculata enough. Easy to care for and exciting to watch during feeding. Also, they are great display spiders. Always out around the enclosure to view.

Even as a sling, my geniculata is a voracious predator. I don't think she knows how tiny she is.

 

[Draketeeth]

B. Albopilosum: They are easy to care for. I got mine as a 1/4" sling and fast forward three years and that little sling is now a confirmed 2.5" female

I got mine as a 1/3" - 1/2" sling, and a year later am sitting in the 2.5" - 3" range. I'm pretty sure mine is male, but not 100%.

 

[Andrea82]

+1 for A.geniculata
Extremely well eaters, grow quick and even the slings ar often out and about.

 

[Jeff23]

North American Aphonopelma is a great choice if you want to grow a sling for a long time. I like to look at mine with a magnifying glass to see the growth. I am not sure if seemanni grow as slow as their North American relatives.

But I love this genus so I have loads of it in multiple species. They are easy on the care and live a long time.

EDIT* A seemanni do grow faster.

 

[Red Eunice]

G. pulchra.
Slow growth rate, a more expensive sling, but well worth it. Beautiful, large at adult size, velvety jet black. NW terrestrial, great display species, eats well (mine does) and overall "docile".
Even buying one, and turns out being male, you'll enjoy many years raising it.