Want suggestions to get a Tarantula!!!

[meetparmar1269563]

Hey, I had a G Pulchripes (1") for 1.5 months now & want another T that's a little challenging to care & handle (especially a little more defensive & fast but not too much so I do not end up getting this beauty as dead one)

I have Psalmopoeus irminia, Pterinochilus murinus, Cyriopagopus sp. Hati Hati, Tliltocatl Vagans, Brachypelma Boehmei, Tapinauchenius violaceus, Nhandu Chromatus, Ceratogyrus Darlingi, Harpactira Pulchripes, Phormictopus Auratus

I know some are pretty hard for me but just wanting your opinion on what's the best, what to avoid at all cost & which can be kept with some of your advices

These are all available that's it as some other good species are out of stock for few months now

 

[Scoot]

Research, research, research! There's plenty of information and experiences on all of the named Ts on here if you search for it

I would be tempted to stay with the New World species for now (though opinions on this vary - it depends how confident you are with maintenance, rehousing, etc.)

You say "handle" in your question. I'm not sure if you mean "deal with" in general or physically pick up with your hands, but handling (i.e. holding) your T is not recommended by most.

From your list, I'd be tempted by P auratus - still New World but a bit more of an attitude, strong feeding response, understated beauty. Much to like there.

 

[Mustafa67]

Hey, I had a G Pulchripes (1") for 1.5 months now & want another T that's a little challenging to care & handle (especially a little more defensive & fast but not too much so I do not end up getting this beauty as dead one)

I have Psalmopoeus irminia, Pterinochilus murinus, Cyriopagopus sp. Hati Hati, Tliltocatl Vagans, Brachypelma Boehmei, Tapinauchenius violaceus, Nhandu Chromatus, Ceratogyrus Darlingi, Harpactira Pulchripes, Phormictopus Auratus

I know some are pretty hard for me but just wanting your opinion on what's the best, what to avoid at all cost & which can be kept with some of your advices

These are all available that's it as some other good species are out of stock for few months now

DON’T HANDLE UNLESS YOU WANT A DEAD T

 

[Charliemum]

Slow down there, if I am reading this right this is your second ever t, most of the sp on your list are old world and most people do not get old world as their second t most are super fast and a trip to hospital if they tag you.
Tliltocatl, Brachypelma, Nhandu all great as a second t choice and if you want something with attitude Nhandu are perfect. Or if you are open to suggestions acanthoscurria geniculata are excellent. Hit food like a truck a little skittish as slings but once they hit 2/3 inches they do not care. Make great display spoods too. Nhandu are similar in attitude except they keep the skittisness. I keep both genus's.
No matter what t you choose, research the sp before you order them only through research can you decide if they are the right sp for you.
Also as said above please don't handle your t's it never ends well for the t in the long run, and please don't think we are trying to be rude, we all love these creatures and want them to be safe. Handling isn't safe for anyone involved, your spider or you.
Good luck and I hope you find your next floofy friend

 

[FatBadBay]

I'd definitely suggest getting a new world as your second tarantula. If you can find one online or at a show, I'd get a c. Cyanoepubescenes. Heavy webber and striking colors as both a sling and adult.

The p. Irminia would be a good one to get as a 4th tarantula and will kinda prepare you for owning an old world.

I know owning Ts can be addictive but there's no rush. I wouldn't pick a T solely based on availability.

 

[Matt Man]

You've had a single T for a month and a half and your list has a heap of OWs and a Psalmo. All of these are a big no and all the more so since you seem to want to handle.....
You are jumping well past your experience level. Dial in what you are doing with your present T before diving in.
I'd suggest a Tliltocatl Kahelnbergi if you can find one. Like a Vagans but with brighter and redder hair. P. auratus is another decent choice. I'd avoid B. boehmei because they tend to throw hairs, better B. Emilia or B. hamorii as second T

 

[Gevo]

Why are you intentionally seeking a more defensive and fast tarantula? Are you just wanting something that's more active than your G. pulchripes?

Species known to be docile and slow can become suddenly more defensive and flighty, sometimes changing personalities after a molt. Conversely, many keepers also find that when they are keeping "defensive" species well, they are calmer than their reputations may suggest.

 

[Mustafa67]

T vagans, it’ll be a step up for you, it’s pretty mine eats and grows well.

 

[Mike41793]

From your list of options I'd suggest something Phormictopus. Will grow quicker than the pulchripes, will be a good eater, will be a little quicker and a little more testy. I had a P. cancerides years ago that was a very grumpy T. It was either WC or I just was not setting it up correctly. Always seemed pissed off at me. Turned me off of the genus.

I received a P. auratus as a freebie recently and it just molted a couple weeks ago. It's probably around ~1.5-2in now. Great eater up until it goes into premolt, rarely uses the burrow I made for it so it's always visible and it's definitely reactive any time I open the enclosure. It does not just sit there. If I add water it's rushing over to investigate and wonder why I'm not feeding it again lol. Tom Moran on YouTube has been a proponent of the genus for years and I always kinda blew them off but I think the cancerides I had previously was more of a me issue than the spider being a jerk.

 

[kingshockey]

just get out into the countryside of your country into the jungles there and catch your own. lots of native pokies there

 

[fcat]

There are lots of different ways to build your experience while appreciating potential characteristics…every individual is different…
You have a surface dweller, try an arboreal or heavy webber
Get your feet moist, but never wet, by reading up on the husbandry of moisture dependent Ts and go for something tropical
You have a potentially highly visible variety, go for something better at hiding WHEN you’ve dialed in how to differentiate a hidden T versus a desiccating T versus a premolt/post molt/not ready to eat on a T you can’t see, and what to do when you don’t know what to do (fossorials)
Do you even turret??

No one here would’ve recommended my second T to me so I made sure I didn’t prove them right by researching. Prove us wrong by doing the same.

My second T was a 1ish inch Pamphobeteus. Mine is a total puppy dog, caveat emptor. My 23 or 25th ish was my first Psalmopoeus because I wasn’t keen on keeping anything medically significant (closest you’ll get in a new world)



Here’s a tip, read bite reports. IIRC, someone once described P irminia as a hot twisting fork or knife. Then read the posts about people dropping or flinging or worse when handling. You should have a healthy respect of these animals at all times and never get complacent. Starting now, start treating your G pulchripes as if it were an OW. Get in the habit of safe habits. That includes not handling them

I remember when I wasn’t going to keep OW

I will never forget to make sure the kitties haven’t snuck in the spider room

Just like our eyes can be bigger than our stomachs, every T you acquire is going to grow full grown some day and utilize a bigger footprint. Do the math on how many dinner plate size Ts you can store without being a slumlord. Above all, the reason we have them is to give them the best life right?

 

[viper69]

You've had a single T for a month and a half and your list has a heap of OWs and a Psalmo

My thoughts exactly

 

[meetparmar1269563]

Research, research, research! There's plenty of information and experiences on all of the named Ts on here if you search for it

I would be tempted to stay with the New World species for now (though opinions on this vary - it depends how confident you are with maintenance, rehousing, etc.)

You say "handle" in your question. I'm not sure if you mean "deal with" in general or physically pick up with your hands, but handling (i.e. holding) your T is not recommended by most.

From your list, I'd be tempted by P auratus - still New World but a bit more of an attitude, strong feeding response, understated beauty. Much to like there.

By handle I mean physically as I work with an NGO so at few events each year I'd like to take my tarantulas for those people with arachnophobia that's why I want one more tarantula that I can use after a year (2-3 different species so I can get her rest to except using only single tarantula)

Slow down there, if I am reading this right this is your second ever t, most of the sp on your list are old world and most people do not get old world as their second t most are super fast and a trip to hospital if they tag you.
Tliltocatl, Brachypelma, Nhandu all great as a second t choice and if you want something with attitude Nhandu are perfect. Or if you are open to suggestions acanthoscurria geniculata are excellent. Hit food like a truck a little skittish as slings but once they hit 2/3 inches they do not care. Make great display spoods too. Nhandu are similar in attitude except they keep the skittisness. I keep both genus's.
No matter what t you choose, research the sp before you order them only through research can you decide if they are the right sp for you.
Also as said above please don't handle your t's it never ends well for the t in the long run, and please don't think we are trying to be rude, we all love these creatures and want them to be safe. Handling isn't safe for anyone involved, your spider or you.
Good luck and I hope you find your next floofy friend

I forgot to mention I want few more different species for event handling for people with arachnophobia that's the reason I don't wanna use a single T

I also have B Albipes, B Auratum, T Vagans, L Parahybana available so if you can suggest here can be great

I know I'm asking the same thing again but got more options & you can give 2 more species that can be great to me rather than genus as I'm pretty new (a science student)

DON’T HANDLE UNLESS YOU WANT A DEAD T

It's for events & seminars otherwise I don't want to keep them except my research & events

I'd definitely suggest getting a new world as your second tarantula. If you can find one online or at a show, I'd get a c. Cyanoepubescenes. Heavy webber and striking colors as both a sling and adult.

The p. Irminia would be a good one to get as a 4th tarantula and will kinda prepare you for owning an old world.

I know owning Ts can be addictive but there's no rush. I wouldn't pick a T solely based on availability.

Ya I have heard it addictive but I want them for some research & events (where I can give them to people with arachnophobia to handle that's it)

And I have mentioned more new worlds available to me in my reply above so will be great if you can suggest 2 of my all available species

You've had a single T for a month and a half and your list has a heap of OWs and a Psalmo. All of these are a big no and all the more so since you seem to want to handle.....
You are jumping well past your experience level. Dial in what you are doing with your present T before diving in.
I'd suggest a Tliltocatl Kahelnbergi if you can find one. Like a Vagans but with brighter and redder hair. P. auratus is another decent choice. I'd avoid B. boehmei because they tend to throw hairs, better B. Emilia or B. hamorii as second T

Ya I think they're not good
I have mentioned my situation & more NWs above so I hope you can get me 2 specific species according to your experience as I don't want a dead T or those arachnophobia guys bitten 🥲

Why are you intentionally seeking a more defensive and fast tarantula? Are you just wanting something that's more active than your G. pulchripes?

Species known to be docile and slow can become suddenly more defensive and flighty, sometimes changing personalities after a molt. Conversely, many keepers also find that when they are keeping "defensive" species well, they are calmer than their reputations may suggest.

I have cleared my situation & more NW available above so I hope you can see my reply above & get me 2 species according to your own experience & knowledge can be really helpful

I just want a little more active species, not fast and too defensive as it might bite someone at events or my tarantula end up dead so I think OWs aren't my choice for my use

T vagans, it’ll be a step up for you, it’s pretty mine eats and grows well.

Ya I was getting this species as suggestions, can you suggest some more as per you as I'm open to above species & I cannot have anymore because in winters my region mostly stops exotic pets trade for their safety

From your list of options I'd suggest something Phormictopus. Will grow quicker than the pulchripes, will be a good eater, will be a little quicker and a little more testy. I had a P. cancerides years ago that was a very grumpy T. It was either WC or I just was not setting it up correctly. Always seemed pissed off at me. Turned me off of the genus.

I received a P. auratus as a freebie recently and it just molted a couple weeks ago. It's probably around ~1.5-2in now. Great eater up until it goes into premolt, rarely uses the burrow I made for it so it's always visible and it's definitely reactive any time I open the enclosure. It does not just sit there. If I add water it's rushing over to investigate and wonder why I'm not feeding it again lol. Tom Moran on YouTube has been a proponent of the genus for years and I always kinda blew them off but I think the cancerides I had previously was more of a me issue than the spider being a jerk.

From Phormingtopus auratus is the first species in this genus coming in my stock this time in my country as in my country exotic pets imports are rare & import is nearly 1% chance to get permit that's the concern otherwise I'd have got many slings & international shipping is cheaper than national dealer's purchase cause of rarity

I am a student so I want them for some events where arachnophobia people will handle them & that's why I want 2-3 different species

You can see my more available species from new world so if you can recommend 2 species can be great & also keep P auratus as I don't know much about this genus

just get out into the countryside of your country into the jungles there and catch your own. lots of native pokies there

I'd have gone for it as I have P Metallica (which is my most favourite species) in just 30-40 miles away
But illegal to keep species found in my country 🥲

There are lots of different ways to build your experience while appreciating potential characteristics…every individual is different…
You have a surface dweller, try an arboreal or heavy webber
Get your feet moist, but never wet, by reading up on the husbandry of moisture dependent Ts and go for something tropical
You have a potentially highly visible variety, go for something better at hiding WHEN you’ve dialed in how to differentiate a hidden T versus a desiccating T versus a premolt/post molt/not ready to eat on a T you can’t see, and what to do when you don’t know what to do (fossorials)
Do you even turret??

No one here would’ve recommended my second T to me so I made sure I didn’t prove them right by researching. Prove us wrong by doing the same.

My second T was a 1ish inch Pamphobeteus. Mine is a total puppy dog, caveat emptor. My 23 or 25th ish was my first Psalmopoeus because I wasn’t keen on keeping anything medically significant (closest you’ll get in a new world)



Here’s a tip, read bite reports. IIRC, someone once described P irminia as a hot twisting fork or knife. Then read the posts about people dropping or flinging or worse when handling. You should have a healthy respect of these animals at all times and never get complacent. Starting now, start treating your G pulchripes as if it were an OW. Get in the habit of safe habits. That includes not handling them

I remember when I wasn’t going to keep OW

I will never forget to make sure the kitties haven’t snuck in the spider room

Just like our eyes can be bigger than our stomachs, every T you acquire is going to grow full grown some day and utilize a bigger footprint. Do the math on how many dinner plate size Ts you can store without being a slumlord. Above all, the reason we have them is to give them the best life right?

I totally agree with you brother that their best lives are more important & I also got many roasts in few days for having OWs as my second T (but I was trusting my dealer much )

I am never gonna handle them but I enjoy observing my Ts more as they're pretty new to me (than my corsos & huskies who are couch potatoes)

I am taking them to events when they grow little bigger & people with arachnophobia handles them (and that's why I want them to be good handled without biting those scared guys more or getting herself dead)

I'd do many researches but I'd appreciate if you can share any of your 2 best species from my list in the thread description and some more available to me now like Phormingtopus auratus, B albipes, L Parahybana, B Auratum etc (I have mentioned a list in my 2nd reply above if you wanna know)

 

[fcat]

I didn't realize you were in India! Is it easy to get tarantulas there? How old are your attendees to these events?

I just explained to a 8-9ish yo that something wasn't food, not to put in in her mouth or eat it, that it was just to look at and do not eat it. She promptly ate it.

All the native tarantulas around you are medically significant, how often do you see them in the wild? How often do mature males wander into people's homes?

Are you trying to teach people about them so they stop killing on contact? Are you going to teach safe relocation techniques?

To be honest with you, many people here are against handling as you know, it's not just old worlds though. These guys should be treated like goldfish in captivity...observed and not held. Most of their fangs are HUGE and cause painful mechanical damage, regardless of venom type/potency...they can even deliver dry bites without venom so there's nothing stopping them from delivering multiple bites in quick succession. Humans can be cute and all, but I only care about the animal here. What is going to happen to that T when it bites someone? They are going to throw it across the room and kill it. Or squeeze it or swat at it. RESEARCH THE STUPID MISTAKES SO THEY CAN BE PREVENTED. It starts with not handling.

Unless you have really good attorneys writing liability waivers (or you plan on taking advantage of uneducated people) even NW can cause permanent eye damage and blindness, respiratory emergencies, and you still have the slight chance of an allergic reaction. I think the smartest way to go about handling is not to, and if you insist, making sure you are the only exposed to the risks.

Before I step off my soap box lol, I'll give the last little bit of my opinion. If given the option to be left alone in a dark hole or molested all day in broad daylight, they would chose the place with the least amount of stimuli. Some of the most docile species, dare I say gentlest to humans, also live the longest, and have been tortured for decades, their kindness taken advantage of. I just adopted a tarantula yesterday and became her FIFTH owner. She has been someone's pet for at least the last 20 years, that's as far back as her history can be remembered, and they knew she was full grown back then. Pay her some respect and read that last sentence again lol. And it's not like I don't want to hold her...

And now I'm going to get a little guilt trippy, in the nicest way possible....I would never forgive you if your lesson plan did not go over how these precious creatures are being reduced to extinction due to habitat loss... discuss mature males - that they have one thing on the ganglia and it's not biting, the likelihood of making it to sexual maturity (I found one depressing figure...estimated that less that 1% make it that far in the wild, and I am being generous I'm just too lazy to find it right now). And please please show them safe relocation practices. Empower them with the knowledge that makes them want to leave tarantulas alone...to respect them and want to protect instead of be afraid of them.

If that's exactly what you intend to do, and you want something comparably "scary" as a Poecilotheria, I would inquire with local breeders (maybe you did, and that's the list) but more specifically what MALES would be in high demand, as they have a pretty quick turnaround to sexual maturity when compared to females. Then you would be contributing in a positive way to the captive breeding programs that keep wild Ts in the wild. You could be the reason they make it to sexual maturity. But make sure someone will want him.

 

[Gevo]

Am I understanding correctly that you want something faster and more defensive than a G. pulchripes so that you can take it to events and let inexperienced, arachnophobic people handle it?!

 

[sparticus]

It's for events & seminars otherwise I don't want to keep them except my research & events

If you literally don't even want a tarantula except to have arachnophobic people handle it at events, my recommendation would be not to get one at all. It's not safe for either the people or the spiders involved, especially when you don't seem to understand the difference in the risks involved in handling between old world and new world species.

 

[Tbone192]

I'd steer clear from O sp. Hati Hati, unless you want to chase a spider around your T room. They are incredibly fast.

 

[FatBadBay]

The best one for handling at events, a pet rat.

 

[Glorfindel]

suggest not handling