Do you think a rose-haired tarantula would be good for a beginner?

I've been trying to get my aunt to let me have one for years (she's terrified of spiders)

but I asked her about a week ago for one and she said "we'll see" which is a major improvement since all I've ever heard was

"ARE YOU CRAZY?"

I've been doing a lot of research on them, but I've heard two different sides

some say it's a good beginner tarantula
while I've seen one that said it's recommended for more experienced keepers


if not, what do you recommend?

I have a Rose-hair. It was my second tarantula, the first being a Pink-toe.

I'd say it's good for beginners.

I've held the Rose-hair. The Pink-toe jumps, no way I'm holding the Pink-toe.
Not that handling is recommended unless neccessary.

i'd say yes, i bought my brother a rose hair (his first tarantula) for his birthday and he loves it. he handles it often and has never had an issue with it being flightly or biting

Rose hairs are one of the hobby classic firsts - among the Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma smithi) and the Pink Zebra Beauty tarantula (Eupalestres campenstratus). The three are reknowned for ease of care and tend to be docile as well.

That isn't to say that you may not happen upon a very defensive or skittish individual - no two animals are alike, but in general you have a good chance of getting one with a good temperament if you go for one of those guys, if that's what you're looking for in a pet tarantula.

Personally, my rose is one of the rare "aggressive" or actively defensive ones - if I touch her back legs or abdomen with a paint brush, she'll turn around to face the disturbance in a threat posture, stamping her front feet :P but if you want one that is docile enough to handle, you can either see if the pet shop will let you bring back the tarantula in - say the first week - if it turns out not to be docile, or look for ones that have been owned previously and the owner should be able to tell you or show you their temperament.

Rose hairs are thought of as a good beginner but they have a habit of going psycho when they were once docile. If you are good with that possibility then go for it. I would recommend an adult from a good breeder that can tell you the temperment of the T in question as the adults are usually set in their ways.

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Originally Posted by Boanerges

Rose hairs are thought of as a good beginner but they have a habit of going psycho when they were once docile. If you are good with that possibility then go for it. I would recommend an adult from a good breeder that can tell you the temperment of the T in question as the adults are usually set in their ways.

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This. Even though I have found that the New River T's seem to be a bit more docile than the Rosea's.