The wisest choices for first time Tarantula

Sunny Lordez

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 31, 2022
Messages
1
Hiya : )

I am interested in all your advice with which choice would be the best for a first time Tarantula,

I look forward to reading your advice and experiences! yay
 

cadman01

Arachnopeon
Arachnosupporter
Joined
Dec 13, 2021
Messages
36
Welcome to Arachnoboards! You will find that there are many experienced people here who can recommend a good starter T. and setup. The first thing to decide is what you are looking for in a T. There are many which are very good starters. Do you want a colorful animal or more neutral in appearance? There are many beginner T's, some more brightly decoarated than others. You will definitely want to go with a new world as a first pet, as they are typically more docile and (usually) not too skittish or bolty. They do have potentially irritating hairs (urticating hairs) they can flick when threatened, some species are more pront to do so than others. Females will outlive male by many years also.
 

Wolfram1

Arachnoprince
Active Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2018
Messages
1,408
The species doesn't really matter but if i were you i would look for some local breeders or invert clubs in your area and let them advise you on the species available. Preferably a fast growing, terrestrial new-world spider. This way you not only get to talk to someone with first hand raising/breeding experience of the spider you are about to care for but also make some connections.

I myself started with 2 Pamphobeteus sp. "machala" which was great, but you are an adult and with the right preparation any spider goes. Also if you are not planning on starting with a small sling and go with a larger specimen the growth-rate isn't really a factor. I am just saying this because while it is rewarding to care for a spiderling for 10 years until it reaches sexual maturity, as is the case for some species, i wouldn't recommend that for someone who is just getting into the hobby.

Staples are

Grammostola pulchra
Grammostola porteri
Lasiodora parahybana
Acanthoscurria geniculata
.....and many more, these are just easy to get and fairly beginner friendly

Also welcome to the boards
 

DomGom TheFather

Arachnoprince
Arachnosupporter
Joined
Apr 26, 2020
Messages
1,994
Lots of good choices out there.
It all depends on you.

T. albo is a great spider and grow fairly quickly so even if you wanted to start with a sling, you won't have to wait forever for that big beautiful furball you're dreaming of. Just do your homework and keep things simple. No matter what you choose, feel free to ask questions or use the search function if you run into any problems or even just have concerns. Good luck and welcome to the hobby.
 

Sunny Lordez

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 31, 2022
Messages
1
Welcome to Arachnoboards! You will find that there are many experienced people here who can recommend a good starter T. and setup. The first thing to decide is what you are looking for in a T. There are many which are very good starters. Do you want a colorful animal or more neutral in appearance? There are many beginner T's, some more brightly decoarated than others. You will definitely want to go with a new world as a first pet, as they are typically more docile and (usually) not too skittish or bolty. They do have potentially irritating hairs (urticating hairs) they can flick when threatened, some species are more pront to do so than others. Females will outlive male by many years also.
Thank you for your reply and your welcome!
really happy to be joining you all.

You have given good things to think about, In preference I would like some brightness, but they are all beautiful in their own way, docile is more appealing I think at this stage. great to know about the new world pet choices too!

many thanks , I have made 2 decisions already, I appreciate it!
 

Wolfram1

Arachnoprince
Active Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2018
Messages
1,408
Don't take this as an accusation, but i don't understand why people want docile specimens honestly, they just make it harder to recognise when you are crossing a boundary you shouldn't. No spider likes to be disturbed, some just show this more than others.
 

Sunny Lordez

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 31, 2022
Messages
1
The species doesn't really matter but if i were you i would look for some local breeders or invert clubs in your area and let them advise you on the species available. Preferably a fast growing, terrestrial new-world spider. This way you not only get to talk to someone with first hand raising/breeding experience of the spider you are about to care for but also make some connections.

I myself started with 2 Pamphobeteus sp. "machala" which was great, but you are an adult and with the right preparation any spider goes. Also if you are not planning on starting with a small sling and go with a larger specimen the growth-rate isn't really a factor. I am just saying this because while it is rewarding to care for a spiderling for 10 years until it reaches sexual maturity, as is the case for some species, i wouldn't recommend that for someone who is just getting into the hobby.

Staples are

Grammostola pulchra
Grammostola porteri
Lasiodora parahybana
Acanthoscurria geniculata
.....and many more, these are just easy to get and fairly beginner friendly

Also welcome to the boards
Thank you for your reply and welcome!!

I appreciate your advice!
out of interest I'll look up your Pamphobeteus sp Machala and
I can see the journey raising a spiderling as very rewarding, will give that some thought.

Thanks very much for the list, I will enjoy researching them all!

Don't take this as an accusation, but i don't understand why people want docile specimens honestly, they just make it harder to recognise when you are crossing a boundary you shouldn't. No spider likes to be disturbed, some just show this more than others.
Good point! thank you for sharing that, made me think about it differently.
 

Sunny Lordez

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 31, 2022
Messages
1
Lots of good choices out there.
It all depends on you.

T. albo is a great spider and grow fairly quickly so even if you wanted to start with a sling, you won't have to wait forever for that big beautiful furball you're dreaming of. Just do your homework and keep things simple. No matter what you choose, feel free to ask questions or use the search function if you run into any problems or even just have concerns. Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

Thank you for your welcome, and for your reply!

I appreciate your info, and naming the T. albo ..
simple is great for me! you read my mind with the big beautiful furball. i am looking forward to a long time friendship with one of those!
it seems like I have come to a super nice place to start my homework !

many thanks for your time!


Wow stunning!!
Thank you so much for sharing!
 

LucN

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
Joined
Jan 22, 2009
Messages
321
Welcome to Arachnoboards :)

T. albo cannot be reccomended enough. They are readily available and affordable. What they lack in colour, they make up with an inquisitive personality and generally laid back demeanour. One thing needs to be said, they LOVE to eat, so keep your fingers well away. In the right lighting, their bronze/copper highlights really shimmer. They also sport a very unique look. Unless, I'm mistaken, no other T out there has curled setae (hairs) on their legs, giving them a very shaggy, floofy appearance.

No matter the spider you choose, as long as you do extensive research and prepare the enclosure accordingly before acquiring the animal, you ought to do fine. If you have questions, make sure to do a quick search beforehand since it is very likely you'll find the answer in the many threads. If there is still some questions or concerns afterwards, feel free to hit us up. We'll be more than happy to guide you on your journey.

Best of luck !
 

cold blood

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
13,378
The best beginner species IMO are G. pulchripes, T. cyaneolum, T. albopilosus, A. chalcodes and perhaps G. pulchra.
 

Sunny Lordez

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 31, 2022
Messages
1
Welcome to Arachnoboards :)

T. albo cannot be reccomended enough. They are readily available and affordable. What they lack in colour, they make up with an inquisitive personality and generally laid back demeanour. One thing needs to be said, they LOVE to eat, so keep your fingers well away. In the right lighting, their bronze/copper highlights really shimmer. They also sport a very unique look. Unless, I'm mistaken, no other T out there has curled setae (hairs) on their legs, giving them a very shaggy, floofy appearance.

No matter the spider you choose, as long as you do extensive research and prepare the enclosure accordingly before acquiring the animal, you ought to do fine. If you have questions, make sure to do a quick search beforehand since it is very likely you'll find the answer in the many threads. If there is still some questions or concerns afterwards, feel free to hit us up. We'll be more than happy to guide you on your journey.

Best of luck !
Thank you for reply and welcome!!

really appreciate your detailed information, the T. albo is a very beautiful creature.
with all this brilliant advice I'm receiving am getting more confident it will be nothing but a great journey ahead!
I'll take you up on your invite to hit you up, no doubt i'll have many questions along the way lol

Many Thanks!

The best beginner species IMO are G. pulchripes, T. cyaneolum, T. albopilosus, A. chalcodes and perhaps G. pulchra.
Thank you so very much for your suggestions, I appreciate them all!
 

Pmurinushmacla

Arachnobaron
Joined
Nov 26, 2020
Messages
469
If you're a responsible person, any t could be your first if you do enough research and treat them with respect. However, many tarantulas will give you a much easier time, and will be less prone to biting/running, plus the fact that some ts bites could send you to the ER due to the pain. I'd recommend a nw terrestrial, like a brachy to start, but if you are thinking about a different species let us know, and we can describe its behavior, bite effects, and help you determine if you want to take on the challenge. But generally, if you're not picky, start with a new world terrestrial. That's the wisest choice imo.
 

Sunny Lordez

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 31, 2022
Messages
1
If you're a responsible person, any t could be your first if you do enough research and treat them with respect. However, many tarantulas will give you a much easier time, and will be less prone to biting/running, plus the fact that some ts bites could send you to the ER due to the pain. I'd recommend a nw terrestrial, like a brachy to start, but if you are thinking about a different species let us know, and we can describe its behavior, bite effects, and help you determine if you want to take on the challenge. But generally, if you're not picky, start with a new world terrestrial. That's the wisest choice imo.
Hi

Thank you for replying and for your info!
very helpful to know.

many thanks!
 

CJJon

Arachnokrólewicz
Joined
Oct 28, 2018
Messages
599
None of the ones in my signature.

I'd recommend a Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens or GBB-Green Bottle Brush. Fun to watch ca sling change over time into a real beauty. Great appetite. Dead easy to keep. Makes great web home and is out all the time.

Oh! Welcome to the board!
 

8 legged

Arachnoprince
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Messages
1,078
You might find an older female. These animals are usually through the roughest and are usually easier to care for than slings. In Europe you can even find tarantulas in animal shelters... Just food for thought. Many want slings and then wonder why they don't see anything for months. An adult Brachypelma, Grammostola or Chromapelma are much more willing to show off.
..
 

pongdict

Arachnosquire
Joined
Dec 2, 2021
Messages
69
T. albopilosus, G. pulchripes, G. pulchra, A. Chalcodes (get a bigger one for these, they grow really slow)
 

Edan bandoot

Arachnoprince
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Messages
1,599
maybe Pseudhapalopus sp columbia/yellow blue/blue

they're pretty docile while being colourful
 
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