I want to get over my fear

[T&C Exotics]

So I have a HUGE fear of spiders of all kinds and want to get over it. So I figure the best way is make myself have to take care of one so that it's life depends on me and well I care to much about animals to not take care of it.... So what would be the best to start with that is not a rosehair?

[LoNeSt4r]

I hear that jumping spiders make really good pets. As well as tarantulas. Alas, i am not a spider person, it's just what i hear.

[Nektu]

Your best bet is to start with a rosie. They don't require as much humidity as some of the South American T's, so the husbandry fire them is easier.

[Boanerges]

So I have a HUGE fear of spiders of all kinds and want to get over it. So I figure the best way is make myself have to take care of one so that it's life depends on me and well I care to much about animals to not take care of it.... So what would be the best to start with that is not a rosehair?

This is not what you want to hear but I would say get an adult female G. rosea (because they are cheap as adults) and buy it from a good breeder. When you do get it specifically request that you want a nice, calm and laid back rosey. Adults are usually set in it's ways already. You can buy any recommened starter T as an adult but the rose hair is probably the cheapest. Any sling that you buy has the potential to change behaviors after a molt. Your once laid back T could all of a sudden start throwing up threat displays after a molt for some odd reason. Your once non hair kicker could all of a sudden become a big hair kicker after a molt. Possibly they could switch back after a later molt or just stay that way for the remainder of their years. It definitely does not always happen but just making you aware of it.

Grammostola pulchripes - They get big and are generally really friendly. Can kick hairs though (I've seen big hair kickers and some that didn't kick at all).

Grammostola albopilosum - A nice curly hair

Grammostola pulchra - Very nice looking jet black but pricey.

Brachypelma smithi - Generally friendly but can be big hair kickers.

Brachypelma emilia - Same as above.

For an aboreal you can get an Avicularia avicularia. They are generally really laid back but you need more height then floor space with them. They do not kick hairs but they do have U hairs and will rub their butts on you if they want to use them. They can also shoot poop as a defense.

I just named a few off the top of my head. Someone who had a fear of spiders might be able to chime in to offer what they did to over come their fears to help you also....

[EAllen84]

This whole thread gives me the chills.. I can appreciate those brave enough to keep spiders!! eeep. I am NOT.

[Ham]

The Pulchripes are the next best thing after the G. Rosea, atleast as far as starters go, I have a number of T's and my Pulchripes is one of the most laid back of all, never kicked hairs, and simple care requirements, similar to the Rosea

[Alexandra V]

I'm going to vote with Ham and say G. Pulchripes. I've seen a lot of them that are super laid back, even at a small size. They have a MUCH better appetite on average than a G. Rosea, which have been known to go on ridiculously long hunger strikes for little to no apparent reason.

Another thing is that the Rosea can tend to get pretty moody, and it isn't uncommon to hear of them going through major mood swings. Aside from a G. Pulchripes, you could do a G. Pulchra or as Boanerges said, something from the Brachypelma genus which all tend to be very docile and very hardy (though there are always exceptions, so take a good look around before committing to a tarantula to make sure you get one with the kind of temperament you like).

[CLSpider]

I do not suggest G. rosea. I, personally, do not like them at all.
I suggest Chaco's (G. pulchripes) and adorable little pink toe's (Avic. and what ever kind you want. They're all awesome. A. versicolor's are stunning.).
Don't buy a certain kind just because we suggest it. Go to shows, check em out, talk to the breeders. Ask their opinion. Ask what their calmest and nicest one is. They're all different. Shoot, I've owned pokies that were as calm and friendly as can be. And I've owned rosie's that I swear wanted me dead. Haha.

[Boanerges]

I do not suggest G. rosea. I, personally, do not like them at all.
I suggest Chaco's (G. pulchripes) and adorable little pink toe's (Avic. and what ever kind you want. They're all awesome. A. versicolor's are stunning.).
Don't buy a certain kind just because we suggest it. Go to shows, check em out, talk to the breeders. Ask their opinion. Ask what their calmest and nicest one is. They're all different. Shoot, I've owned pokies that were as calm and friendly as can be. And I've owned rosie's that I swear wanted me dead. Haha.

Your reasoning behind not suggesting a G. rosea is simply because you don't like them?

[CLSpider]

Your reasoning behind not suggesting a G. rosea is simply because you don't like them?

Sorry about the confusion. I hope this clears up what I was trying to say.
No, that is not the reason I don't suggest those. At the end of my comment, I said that I had a rosie that I swear wanted me dead....meaning she was MEAN. Every single G. rosea I've owned has been aggressive though.
I also said, go to a show, talk to the breeders, each tarantula is different. They all have their own individual personalities.
I'm not saying not to get a rosea....I'm just saying I don't suggest them. I mean, if they find a sweetheart of a rosea, by all means, get it!
Again, I do not like them because every one I've owned has been very aggressive.