What was your first Tarantula and why?

[astraldisaster]

Yeah, actually. Surprised it was caught that quickly!

That's awesome, haha (though hopefully your spider's personality doesn't match his name!)

 

[zonbonzovi]

Haplopelma lividum adult female...oops:evil:

It was blue, oozed murderous impulse and the pet store employee that sold it to me was scared of it(not good reasons to make an impulse buy, for future reference)

Not so bad, really, I was already wrangling a few large centipedes. What unnerved me the most was the striking power & unlike centipedes, this one could climb glass very quickly. I used to sweat every time there was maintenance to be done. Not a good starter.

 

[lookerbrian]

My 1st t was a g. rosea. Just walked into a pet store and saw it. HAD to get it!!!!!!!! Afterwards i ended up from 1 to I think 25 lol.

---------- Post added at 06:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 PM ----------

Haplopelma lividum adult female...oops:evil:

It was blue, oozed murderous impulse and the pet store employee that sold it to me was scared of it(not good reasons to make an impulse buy, for future reference)

Not so bad, really, I was already wrangling a few large centipedes. What unnerved me the most was the striking power & unlike centipedes, this one could climb glass very quickly. I used to sweat every time there was maintenance to be done. Not a good starter.

HAHAHA!!!! I know what you mean. I was looking at a scorpion and this guy was telling me his first was a h lividum. Bit the crap out of him too. Luckily, all of my old worlds are relatively relaxed. I must be the tarantula whisperer or something.

 

[PhobeToPhile]

Maybe there's a genetic predisposition to calmness? I don't know about you, but it's been on my mind since I started to learn about tarantulas, and the difference between new and old worlds. With time, maybe we can have P. murinus with the temperment of a pulchra of pulchripes. In other news, I just ordered my first T, a G. pulchripes female, from Ken!

 

[JR1213]

I want T's because I HATE SPIDERS

Its true... I hate spiders. Gawd help me I hate 'em. I go on spider patrol in my crawlspace at least every month. I get the heebie jeebies for hours after walking into a spider web. I don't wanna touch 'em, I don't wanna nuzzle 'em, nothing.

But T's are absolutely beautiful. I love the colors and patterns on some of them. They're also the perfect for the neglectful pet owner (not that the cat isn't cool, but he's demanding as hell sometimes!).

A friend of mine in AZ has quite a few T's and he's never cuddled, nuzzled, or handled any of his T's... So I decided to get my first T's. If I don't have to touch them, I'm fine... And its better for my T if I'm totally uninterested in handling them. Budgeted 200$, jumped on the classifieds here, and lucked out. I have 15 slings on order representing 3 spp. Brachypelma albopilosum, Avicularia versicolor, and Grammostola pulchripes... Also have a wingless fruitfly colony on order.

Picked B. albopilosum because of their healthy appetites
Picked A. versicolor for the COLOR, they're beautiful in all growth stages
Picked G. pulchripes because the price was great and, well, every newbie seems destined to start with a Grammostola spp.:wall:

 

[Shell]

Mine was a G. pulchripes. I have had an intense phobia of spiders my whole life and, after talking a lot to a friend in the hobby, decided to get one to get over my fear. After months of research, the pulchripes just seemed like the right fit for me, so I found a dealer and picked up a 2" specimen.

She is now a 7" confirmed female, and I'm up to 30 tarantulas. I am definately over my fears.

 

[Thorhees]

That's awesome, haha (though hopefully your spider's personality doesn't match his name!)

Nah, I don't let Vargy have access to fire starting materials or churches...or knives.

 

[PhobeToPhile]

Why would you? They all come with built in stillettos .

 

[skar]

Avic versicolor sling.
I suddenly (at the time) revisiting the same pet store for some time and got to know the owner. Anyhow I had severe Arachnophobia and decided to get over myself.
The Owner of the store suggested it to me because of the Awesome colors for this T.
So . . . I got a very tiny maybe 3rd instar versicolor .
However I would suggest as a first T. a pink zebra beauty (love mine : ). Be warned it's addicting.

 

[belladonna]

I got my first T 9 days ago. I think it's a she, but can't be sure. I got her from the lps and she is a chaco golden knee. She is sweet so far. I know the grammostola sp. can be moody so im watching her.

 

[Vespula]

My first was a B. smithi. Her name's Catastrophe.

I'd wanted a tarantula since the time I was 6 years old, after seeing one at school. For 11 long years I begged Mom and Dad for one. Each time I got the same answer. "No Way! They're dangerous and will kill you and you won't take care of it etc..." I still kept researching them, though. and Harassing Mom and Dad to their wits end.

Then came the end of my Senior year of highschool. Graduation was swiftly approaching, and we were getting ready to go to college. "Mom," I said looking at her with big sweet eyes, "It's going to be lonely at college without any pets. Who will I talk to at night, except for Sis (my twin sister), I'd love a little tarantula of my own to keep me company..." Within 15 minits, I was on the computer placing my order for Catastrophe.

Well, soon, I had Calamity, too. Then Smiling Jack, Elsebeth, Electra, Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-Dum, and Audacia.

 

[Fran]

1995, 12th birthday, Female Xhenesthis immanis 8".

 

[Hentzi]

Mine was a Aphonopelma Hentzi just love how beautiful they are, saw her @ a expo in a pot on her own looking sorry for her self so bought her and 10 years on she is still with me.

 

[Aurelia]

Adult female G. rosea as a birthday present and because my boss didn't want her anymore.

 

[Alexandra V]

Mine was a 2" legspan X. Immanis. His (not sure, I just think of him as a he lol) name is Thor.

 

[BCscorp]

A friend of a friend was moving to India and had a very large, 20+ yrs old G. rosea named Titan. I quite reluctantly said yes when asked if I wanted to have it. I take it or it was being dropped of at a pet store. Was nervous for about a month at night, but since I love nature and all critters, watching her became a fascination. Now I have more spiders.

 

[Shimotsukin]

A OBT, sadly it matured into a MM in three months.

 

[zosimos]

B. Smithi, was going for a P. rufilata as my first T until I found out RobC wouldn't ship to Canada.

 

[RichRollin]

My first T was a P. cancerides, I bought it because I wanted a large, aggressive (or defensive, if it suits you) T that was inexpensive and easy to care for, and that didnt have a bite that would worry me.

Was a perfect buy on all counts, I must say. Truly underrated spider IMO.

 

[venom81]

my first t i, try to kill it!its a aphonopelma specie she is now one of my favorite 12 sp hopefully 50 someday...funny how after some research you get hooked on ts.