What is the consensus on the most decorated and docile of the Theraphosidae

[killy]

To the OP - you might also consider G pulchra - no colors of the rainbow, but beautiful glossy black, docile, gets nice and hefty, and I haven't heard a lot of complaints about hairs ...

Also, as for the Avics - I have a versicolor which I named Speedy for not very original reasons ... however, my A avicularia is pretty easy to handle (but not as colorful as the A versicolor though ...)

aw heck, just get 'em all, and love the ones that love you back!

 

[Salamanderhead]

Avicularia Versicolor

 

[JimM]

Avicularia Versicolor

In general.
My female is grumpy though...you can't handle her.

 

[captmarga]

To put this back on track, no matter what species of T you choose to get, there will be exceptions in individuals to every rule. One new gal just posted she has a P. cancerides that willing crawls out and sits on her hands (with photo proof). Mine would take my finger off if I tried that. I have a G. rosea that doesn't like being handled, one that doesn't care. My OBT sits out in the open, and doesn't give threat poses, but I'm not about to try and handle her. I think she's lovely, but she's a look-at. On the flip side, I've seen vids of people who handle theirs. So, choose whichever you think looks nice, and then cross your fingers for an individual with a tractable disposition.

I personally have collected whatever struck my fancy, whether I can hold them or not (and I love to hold my T's). I think I have 25 species at the moment (lost count, and have multiples of some). I have 5 P. irminia, 5 P. murinus (OBT), 2 avics, 2 L. parahybana, 3 G rosea, 2 H. Lividums, 1 H. mac, 2 P. regalis, 3 P. formosa... etc, etc. Whom do I hold? My A. seemani, "Scrunchie". She just sits.

Beautiful? Colorful - so many to choose from. I started with googling "Tarantula", then off on tangents of "Blue tarantula", or "purple tarantula". I looked at what was being offered most and at reasonable prices here on the classified sections, and looked them up if they sounded even remotely interesting. This is why I still want to own a P. metallica (someday). I think the A. versicolor is glorious. I want more Pamphobeteus sp. But I was happy with a plain, brown, MM A. hentzi that would sit on my hand.

Marga

 

[killy]

And to that end, I think handling tarantulas is a BIG DEAL, so I'd like to post another recommendation ...

To the OP - G pulchripes has been mentioned and I vote for that too - it may not meet your color criteria, but on the other hand, what's wrong with chocolate brown and caramel - it works for German Chocolate Cake! And I think it works for the pulchripes too - and the pulchripes is renowned for its sweet disposition ... here's Cocoa, my pulchripes, and me ...

and while I'm at it, here's Caveman (my pulchra) and me.

 

[xhexdx]

and while I'm at it, here's Caveman (my pulchra) and me.

You're holding those spiders way too high off the ground, by the way. If you're going to handle them, at least give them the chance to survive if they do decide to bolt by keeping them closer to the ground.

 

[Andrei]

Try a H lividum. You will get a superb tarantula, not very expensive, and after you will handle her, you will learn that handling in not a very good ideea.... And the tarantulas, generaly hate it...

 

[Chris_Skeleton]

Anyway, back to tarantulas, I would also recommend G. pulchripes, they are great.

 

[JimM]

Anyway, back to tarantulas, I would also recommend G. pulchripes, they are great.

............This

 

[killy]

How DOES one pronounce "A geniculata" in French?

Anyway, back to talkin' Ts - en anglais - and this may be for the OP's benefit but has anyone had any kind of luck handling A. geniculata? Coloring-wise, they're striking if one likes the contrast of white-on-black, but they seem to have urticating hairs that would make a mosquito itch! And yet, I've seen photos of them, big suckers, being handled like posey's on a young girl's wrist, with no apparent side-effects. Just wondering.

 

[saturniid]

I'd recommend Avicularia versicolor if you're into bright colors and docility, I also worked with a Brachypelma boehmei that was pretty friendly, but they can be bad hair-flickers.

(By the way, you guys who are forgetting your italics have no right to be picky about scientific names.)

It is Brachypelma boehmei.

Just testing you

 

[Lorum]

I also worked with a Brachypelma boehmi that was pretty friendly, but they can be bad hair-flickers.

It is Brachypelma boehmei.

 

[2oCHEVYo0]

But if you are still watching the thread OP, I also second the "B. bomhei" very beautiful coloring even though they like to rub there butts alot. I will definatly be getting one VERY soon!

 

[Roski]

But if you are still watching the thread OP, I also second the "B. boehmei" very beautiful coloring even though they like to rub there butts alot. I will definatly be getting one VERY soon!

From my experience, this species is horrible to handle past the sling stage when they actually develop those "decorated" colors. It's around the same time they develop the hairs that stay in you for days.

I hope the OP went with the Avicularia.

 

[Arthropod]

I still am on the fence between the versicolor and the cyaneopubenscens they both look so amazing, which one has the most color during most of its life since they lose colors during molts

 

[Roski]

Both species remain vibrant from sling to adult, despite going through dramatic color changes. Personally I find the C. cyaneopubescens to be a far more nervous spider in general. For handleability I recommend the versicolor.

 

[2oCHEVYo0]

lol, they both keep the colors throughout their lives. The versicolors actually are the bluest tarantula you can find up until they get around 2.5"-3". Then they start getting the purples, greens and what not. The GBB as a sling has some very cool patterning on the abdomen that resemble tiger stripes. The carapace is like a very dark green almost black with a golden sheen to it.

They are both amazing in color throughout their lives, but I would personally go with a 1" to 1-1/2" versicolor. They are just so much fun to watch! And when they walk on your hands and arms they lift their legs WAY up in the air. It's really neat, kinda reminds me of a puppy before it learns how to run! lol.

But really, you could just get BOTH!!! lol, you know sooner or later you will anyways Nobody can have just one!

 

[briarpatch10]

Anyway back to the original intent of the thread...I like Aphonopelma sp. - New River Rust. I have seen one that is full grown and quite docile...wow it was a pretty girl

 

[skinheaddave]

This off topic bickering has got to stop. Trimmed the thread down and handed out infractions. Please don't make me do this again.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[JimM]

Both species remain vibrant from sling to adult, despite going through dramatic color changes. Personally I find the C. cyaneopubescens to be a far more nervous spider in general. For handleability I recommend the versicolor.

I feel good about recommending versicolor, although again, both RobC and myself have bitey females. In my case, first time I've seen this from this species. So long as the person knows there's a slight possibility.