Thoughts on beginners tarantulas

[Riana Sinclair]

Well, We just got the GoldenKnee and I would say it is a good one to start with. Docile (bordering on lazy I'd say) and resilliant (I'm told).

Also, I would like to suggest that an article like this should also contain info such as:

1. Should one start with a sling or perhaps a Juvi?
I would not say Slings, because one tends to get attached as a beginner, and then it dies or something happens to it, which may put you off from the hobby.

2. Slings encourage handling as they are small and some may think to 'start early' getting them used to you or something....

3. You become too placid as a first timer with a sling. You forget that they grow up and you loose sight of that even when they are grown.

A juvi instill just enough fear to couple with sense and sensibility...

Sorry if this is not part of the article thoughts.. but I think there is a lot of info around about the good types and top 10 for beginners... but not much about the size a beginner should look at, signs that you may have a sick spider on your hands, and what to do when they burrow and don't come out for ages!!!

X X X
R.

[Michael Olsinia]

I think it depends entirely on the individual. For instance, I started out with slings of P. ornata and P.irminia. Tarantulas fascinated me, but at the same time I was scared of spiders (and still am, despite having over 70), so the thought of starting out with smaller spiders seemed best for me. The thought of having to unpack any large/adult spider was a bit too intimidating. I keep all of my spiders without handling any and I find that if the tank is set up carefully then maintenance for each spider is pretty similar. I still wouldn't say I was an 'experienced' keeper, but I think a beginner can keep just about any species.
I wouldn't neccessarily say that a beginner should start out with a fast aggresive species, but I think being prepared for or comfortable with whatever spider you wish to get is as important as experience.

[Aaron Knoblich]

Hi!

The question for the perfect beginners spider..

I would prefer A. geniculata..
It´s beautiful, often to see, eats very good and nearly all you´ll offer, it gets a proper size and you have a beautiful constructed/nicelooking terrarium.

Regards,

Aaron

[Marc Meyer]

Hi!

A. geniculata..

I second this
Another good one would be Phormictopus cancerides. If you like aboreal species, I would recommend Psalmopoeus cambridgei. You cannot kill them, they eat like crazy and you see them often. And they are not hard to breed, for a first attempt it is without question one of the best.

Ciao,
Marc.

[Chris Sainsbury]

Hi
For me there is no such thing as a "beginner" species of tarantula. In my oppinion you could start off keeping a Stromatopelma just as well or as bad as you could start off keeping a Grammostola and vice versa. With all the know how out there these days in the form of books, internet and even to some extent TV on tarantulas, anyone who doesn't find out at least the basic information about a species they are going to get are just fools to themselfs.
Cheers
Chris

[Aaron Knoblich]

Hi!

Chris, you´re right, but I think specs, like Haplopelma aren´t "beginner species". Not because they´re supposed to be aggressive, but you can´t see them for a long time.

As a beginner, I want to see my T almost every day, want to feed it, watch it "being alive" and so on.
That all isn´t possible with species living very hidden..

Regards,

Aaron

[Chris Sainsbury]

Hi Aaron

That makes no difference to me. A beginner will know this if they have put the slightest amount of thought into what they are going to get. If they have and then feel that this spider is not for them they they don't get it but on the other hand this can also be a point of interest for them so they get it.
For me the main factor to this type of question is not the type of tarantula , but the type of beginner.

1: The Beginner that puts some thought into what they are buying....Then any tarantula species are ok IMHO or:-

2: The Beginner that doesn't........Then no tarantula species are ok IMHO.

This might sound a little harsh or strong but lets not forget we are talking about the keeping of a wild animal no matter how docile/defencive/harmless/harmful or viewable they are, and if you are getting one with the regards to keeping it as a pet then it is your responsibility to find out about it before you buy and not afterwards.
All the best
Chris

[Martin Huber]

Hi,

The question for the perfect beginners spider..

I would prefer A. geniculata..

dito!

...and I would never recommand G. rosea - with their strange and typical untypical behaviour, they can drive beginners crazy! But on the other hand: if you can stand a G. rosea, you can stand any tarantula! =

just my two cents!
Martin

[Aaron Knoblich]

Hi Chris!

not the type of tarantula , but the type of beginner.

1: The Beginner that puts some thought into what they are buying....Then any tarantula species are ok IMHO or:-

2: The Beginner that doesn't........Then no tarantula species are ok IMHO.

Okay, you´re right. I agree with your statement..

regards,

Aaron

[lynn mawdesley]

Hi Aaron

That makes no difference to me. A beginner will know this if they have put the slightest amount of thought into what they are going to get. If they have and then feel that this spider is not for them they they don't get it but on the other hand this can also be a point of interest for them so they get it.
For me the main factor to this type of question is not the type of tarantula , but the type of beginner.

1: The Beginner that puts some thought into what they are buying....Then any tarantula species are ok IMHO or:-

2: The Beginner that doesn't........Then no tarantula species are ok IMHO.

This might sound a little harsh or strong but lets not forget we are talking about the keeping of a wild animal no matter how docile/defencive/harmless/harmful or viewable they are, and if you are getting one with the regards to keeping it as a pet then it is your responsibility to find out about it before you buy and not afterwards.
All the best
Chris

I would agree with this statement Chris i think it does depend on the type of beginner.

For example it took me my 31 years of life to get rid of my phobia of spiders in general so i started out with a Grammostola rosea due to its general slow docile nature.

On the other hand say for the people who aren't arachnophobic a P murinus (applied with general common sense and realisation that they are fast and aggressive) would be an ideal beginner.

Im sure this will turn into a topic with lots of debate between us hobbyists.

I do think it depends on the individual who will be keeping the T's if any of you guys/ gals notice alot of my posts consist of asking info about the species im considering buying along with me doing as much research on the net as in my sistuation i have others to consider in my household ie husband (bless him who puts up with my hobby!) and my four children.

Anyway thats my opinion.

Cheers
Lynn

[Phil Rea]

This might sound a little harsh or strong but lets not forget we are talking about the keeping of a wild animal no matter how docile/defencive/harmless/harmful or viewable they are, and if you are getting one with the regards to keeping it as a pet then it is your responsibility to find out about it before you buy and not afterwards.
All the best
Chris

I agree entirely Chris. If you get/buy any animal, then it is ultimately your own responsibility to have researched it first.

Hi,

dito!

...and I would never recommand G. rosea - with their strange and typical untypical behaviour, they can drive beginners crazy! But on the other hand: if you can stand a G. rosea, you can stand any tarantula! =

just my two cents!
Martin

I would suggest that one distinct advantage of G. rosea juveniles/adults is that they're very tolerant. They can be kept in less than optimal conditions and still thrive, which is a good thing for a beginner. They are pretty weird spiders though

[James Box]

i think the only thing that would make a spider less suited to a beginner would be some that have trickier conditions needed...
that being said, Chris is dead right, you do your research and learn what you can, and keep away from the spider in question (which is actually easier to resist if you know the spider might bite), then S calceatum, H maculata, P murinus...all could be beginner spiders.

i for one, cause of my own experience, recommend Ceratogyrus darlingi

[lynn mawdesley]

A good idea maybe would be to compile some sort of list that each sp. falls into in general ie in terms of their temperament, speed, humidity, prone to flicking urtcating hairs alot etc etc and post it as a sticky for newcomers to the hobby.

I realise it may be hard as i know it also depends on the tarantulas own personality ....but just to give a general idea may be of help?

Cheers
Lynn.

[Peter Lacey]

To my mind its not so much a matter of what spider makes the beginner or advanced category but how well we are equipped to look after their enclosures. If we are comfortable with removing bolus/dead matter and moulds from enclosures then most species could easily be considered under a generic set-up. Long tweezers, water bottles, cricket tubs for catching escapees or transporting, a good species reference and care-book, confidence and respect should arm you with what's required. To me the most important thing is to have some understanding of how to set-up the enclosure, either as terrestrial, fossorial or arboreal and get it right BEFORE the tarantula are introduced. Temperatures and humidity which aim to get near the recommended values gets a thumbs up but remember these naturally fluctuate through 24hrs.
There are a few exceptions to this rule and it doesn't take into account the more specific needs of breeding. Its my belief that many experienced hobbyists have forgotten the learning curve, the mistakes and the lack of experience that they now possess and will readily suggest species that others would consider as experienced keepers only. I also find many people have concluded that a species is within the realms of the beginner despite the fact some of these species are relatively new to the hobby!

I'd include the genus Aphonopelma, Grammostola and Brachypelma within 1-3. These are easily available, there's plenty of readily available info and they're not very demanding. Certain species within these genus stand out as requiring a little more care, perhaps because there's fewer in the hobby eg. G. pulchra, G. mollicoma or because they're very prone to kicking hairs eg. B. boehmei. I'd also include Chromatopelma, Cyclosternum and Paraphysa because of their undemanding nature and attitude.

Lasiodora, Acanthoscuria and other giants, Nhandu and Pamphobetus would enter 4-5 positions. Such large species can be quick and intimidating and its very likely at some point you'll need to rehouse something that's already large! The fact these are armed with large fangs and urticating hairs helps to elevate them away from beginner species without putting them into the advanced level.

Avicularia and Psalmopeous would take positions 6 and 7 respectively, avics because of their more advanced requirements eg. heat, humidity and ventilation and Psalmo's because of their speed and "medically significant" venom.

Theraposa remains high ( in experience level for a number of reasons, the pure size, irritating hairs, humidity requirements and the rarity of successfully breeding these in the hobby.

Poecilotheria and the S. E. Asian arboreals (eg. Tapinauchenius, Lampropelma, remain high (9) due to the speed, large size and medically significant venom. I recognise the liklihood of these retreating rather than becoming aggressive but in an arboreal set-up with fast moving tarantula the simple jobs of feeding and maintenance take on a greater level of care. This is coupled with the perilous existence of some of these species which I can only recommend are within breeding programmes of experienced hobbyists.

The African baboons (eg. Heteroscodra, Citharischlus, Ceratogyrus, Pterinochilus), Stromatopelma, Haplopelma, Ephobupos and many of the Asian terrestrials remain the most respected tarantula IMO deservedly sitting at the top (10). Fast, aggressive/defensive nature and potent venom should be given due consideration and respect. Also as these tend to be fossorial I don't believe a tarantula that tends to hide or even becomes a pet-hole makes a good introduction to the beginner.

[Phil Rea]

Poecilotheria and the S. E. Asian arboreals (eg. Tapinauchenius, Lampropelma, remain high (9) due to the speed, large size and medically significant venom. I recognise the liklihood of these retreating rather than becoming aggressive but in an arboreal set-up with fast moving tarantula the simple jobs of feeding and maintenance take on a greater level of care. This is coupled with the perilous existence of some of these species which I can only recommend are within breeding programmes of experienced hobbyists.

The phrase 'medically significant venom' is a bit of a grey area where tarantulas are concerned. There is a lot of misinformation regarding tarantula bites around, with precious little of it based on fact it seems.