Why Rosies?

[Kismet]

Just wondered why is it that folks are so quick to recommend Rosies as starter Ts?

When I was getting my first I initially looked for a Rosie based on all I had read - in that they were ideal starters. I preferred Avics and was eventually persuaded by a more knowledgeable friend to get one. It was a good choice; I love that spider, she's built an amazing web, is beautiful and while she can be quick she's very docile indeed. She was the first of many and I've since acquired two Rosies (as freebies with another purchase) but I would never recommend them to a newbie.

They are pretty - especially their shiny pink carapace but both of mine are really quite dull (hairy rocks); both in the viv and out. (Which I know is good for display but as a starter is not particularly interesting). When I have handled them they won't treadmill or move they just sit on my hand. In trying to get them to walk back into their enclosures they flick hair rather than move. Also one will 'go' for things I put in it's enclosure - even when I'm just filling the water up.

A friend of mine has one which, from all accounts, is a total psycho. Threat postures and full on attacks as soon as he opens the lid, again he says left alone it generally just sits there.

I've heard so many people describing their Rosies as being 'volatile' and while I appreciate that, like with every species, each T has it's own individual personality (which is why I like them so much) I would think this is a bad thing for a first tarantula.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking them as a species. Mine are very much a part of my collection - I like them. I just wonder why such a temperamental T should be such a popular starter recommendation?

If asked I would always go for a G.Pulchra as a starter. I find them active, docile and interesting. Mine is always digging and rearranging it's enclosure.
I love the all black Halloween spider look they've got going on and I've never seen one flick hair or show aggression.

Just wondrin' :?

 

[Elizabeth]

Well, my G pulchra actually was incredibly nasty-tempered until only this last molt (about 2 inches now, and only now completely black). I think there can be the exception to the general rule for any T species. There are the threads about the psycho Rosie, but are most that way? (BTW, I only just got my first rosie sling.)

I wonder, too, why this T is recommended, other than that it is commonly available and cheap, and that it can withstand more first-time learners abuse than other more fragile Ts.

Personally, I think it is better for adults new to the hobby to research on the T types and then make a choice from a variety of easier Ts to keep. Just my opinion.

 

[Sequin]

They are affordable and always avaliable....

 

[Megalodon]

i would say probably because they are cheap, so if your just starting and on the off chance that something happens to it, other then any sentimental attachment your not taking a big hit to your wallet as apposed to if your first T was a P.metalica.

also i think in general they are less aggressive and easier to find, i know around here at the pet stores all i have seen are roseas.

 

[Bearskin10]

Well it all depends on why you want a T? For me personally I would recommend avics to most for a starter T but for certain cases a rose hair will fit the bill nicely, a lot of people that start with T may be intimidated by the avics speed and that is not good but they are just so docile they are hard to beat, as for rose hairs they are very cheap, readily available, easy to care for, not very fast and in most cases extremely docile and that is why they are recommended so highly but I would recommend a chaco before a rose hair but they are not as easy to find and can cost a bit more than a rose hair, chaco's like rose hairs are very easy to care for, not very fast but the selling point for them is there are far less psyco chacos then there are rose hairs. Greg

 

[Kismet]

Interesting...

Thanks all for your replies.

I agree that they're cheap and easy to come by which is prob why so many folks start with them. And they're obviously more docile than for example an OBT for a newbie...

I was more specifically wondering was why folks recommend them as starter Ts when there may be others more suitable*?

I think Elizabeth has a sterling point that they are hardy and can prob withstand first-timers better than other spec; looking at the situation from the other point of view...whether the T can cope with the new owner rather than the other way 'round!!

Then again I'm surprised by her ill-tempered G.Pulchra so I guess it depends on personal experience with spec when making recommendations.

*I know it's all a matter of opinion at the end of the day.

 

[David Burns]

I agree that rosies are not a good T for beginners. Mainly because of their fasting periods. I think it worries newbies when their spiders don't eat.

My first T was a C.crawshayi (king baboon.) It was only an inch and was a great species to learn with. It moves slow, most of the time It is a good eater. In the 2 3/4 years I've had it she has grown to 7". She is always visible, through the side of her burrow. She has only given me a threat display 3 times. She remains calm when I dig her up to move her to bigger quarters. What more could you ask for.

I realize she, "Princess," doesn't fit the atypical stereotype for this species.

 

[D4RK-3L3M3NT]

I agree with most of you, especially BearSkin - as I have sold many Chilean rose's and Pinktoes in my community through paper ads.

Like Bearskin said, most people are intimidated by the pinktoes who tend to be a lot more active than the rosies who are much more docile. But each T has its own personality. And the fact that they are a heck of a lot cheaper than an adult G. pulchra, or a captive bred G. aerostriata makes a rosie the most easiest to acquire.

I mostly recommend my pinktoe 1/2" babies for starters who want to get acquainted with a tarantula in their home, these first-time T buyers end up raising the little guys and getting attached once they reach adulthood and become less arachnophobic and most importantly they actually develop an appreciation for bugs! This makes me feel a lot better because I know I'm helping people face their fears and defeat them, while at the same time they are always learning more about their tarantula and become very attached.

 

[JohnxII]

There is another reason... rosies are so hardy that they can tolerate some poor conditions, since newbies' can get the wrong first setups for various reasons. I'm gona get my first couple this week! If not this week, definitely before X'mas...