Mexican redknee or curly hair?

jeff1962

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Jun 27, 2007
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469
How big are they ? If they are small the A. Albop. will grow faster. If you get a small smithi you are going to have a small spider for a looong time.
 

EvilElvis

Arachnosquire
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Aug 16, 2007
Messages
68
Gotta agree with the growth rate, for a first T you really should get something that grows fast like the curly hair. Such a hard choice just get both!
 

tacoma0680

Arachnobaron
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Dec 13, 2005
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308
I would go with the redknee because they seem to be less defensive and they are really great to look at
 

robc

Arachnoemperor
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Nov 10, 2007
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3,797
we have both and I'd recommend the Smithi...the Curly Hair is a pet hole.
 

Moltar

ArachnoGod
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Apr 11, 2007
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I would go with the redknee because they seem to be less defensive and they are really great to look at
we have both and I'd recommend the Smithi...the Curly Hair is a pet hole.

Just goes to show how different individual specimens can be. My B albo is waaay more docile than B smithi and is by no means a pet hole. I think albo's are just as beautiful as smithi but just a little more subtle. Were i in the op's position i'd take the curly cuz they grow much faster.
 

PsychoChaser

Arachnosquire
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Jun 12, 2007
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59
I have both as half inch slings, but the smithi grow much slower and the albo does like to burrow. in seven months, smithi is one inch and the albo is almost two inches in its hideout. my boehmei is even slower growing.
 

MizM

Arachnoprincess
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Jan 13, 2003
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4,914
You might as well get both now and save on the shipping. I guarantee you 100% that you will end up with both anyway.
 

desertdweller

Arachnoprince
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Aug 23, 2007
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Not only will you end up with both, this is just the beginning!

You are hereby put on notice that each and every time you see a new T here you will HAVE to get it. Sorry but that's the good new. The bad news? You may as well turn your wallet over to your favorite breeder now! {D

I vote for the curly hair hands down. Re-read babyegypt's story, a definite winner. AND, robc, we disagree for once! Pet hole or not, you can always play with a curly hair, not so a smithi.
 

robc

Arachnoemperor
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Nov 10, 2007
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I will say that is true Desert dweller....but I have a 8" L.Parayhbana to play with...:)
 

Dragonhunter

Arachnopeon
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Jan 3, 2005
Messages
34
get the Curlyhair

I have two redknees (insert rude joke of choice here) and two curlyhairs. If I had to choose a first tarantula among them, I would pick the curlyhair hands down. Out of my four specimens, the curlyhairs are just nicer. I can handle them both without getting a face full of hair. The redknees seem very skittish even kicking hair when I open the containers to feed them. The curlyhairs just sit and wait for food to hit the floor.
Curlyhairs are less expensive to aquire (generally) also and they do grow a little faster. Plus, they are a very fine looking tarantula with their golden sheen.

I will agree that the redknee is a beautiful T. I love to look at mine as long as they stay behind glass, and if you never plan on handling them you wont ever get haired...much. I wouldn't trade them.

I don't think you are arguing the fact that you will have both someday, so go for the curlyhair first and get used to caring for it before moving on to the more glamorous tarantula.

Just my opinion. It doesn't matter what you get because you'll like either one.
 

Pink-Poodle88

Arachnoknight
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Oct 28, 2007
Messages
161
B. albopilosum is one of the most handleable and gentle of all in my opinion, a great choice for a pet spider. Even though they're "common" I love them. A lot of people seem to take many of the less expensive more common species for granted just because they may not grab as much attention. But yeah, b. albopilosum are adorable and as I said, very docile. They used to be known as "Teddy bear tarantulas" for a reason most likely.

B. smithi is probably considered by virtually everyone to be the more attractive one, but in my experience they tend to be serious hair kickers, despite their supposedly docile reputation. Despite this, most are still handleable. Some are very docile and gentle too however, just depends. B. smithi are also much more expensive though, and grow a lot slower. Eventually you'll want to have both, but for now, I'd personally advise the b.albopilosim, you won't be disappointed if you're looking for a great pet.
 
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