Which would be the best choice?

Which would be the best choice for the first time tarantula owner with kids that would want to be around it? I have kept scorps but never T's (I HATE these things but I figure the only way to get over that is to buy one)
I have narrowed it down to these choices with what I have found out so far about each one so when I go to the WP show next month, I can pick one up.
I am more interested in it being a generally docile T that doesn't normally kick hairs other than the most colorful (otherwise I would go with a cobalt blue:D ).
Any first hand experience and suggestions for which to get would be very helpful.


Avicularia mettallica (metallic pinktoe) - fast but usually docile and colorful

Brachypelma smithi (Mexican red knee) - colorful, usually docile, but likes to kick hairs

Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian black) - docile but not very colorful

Avicularia avicularia (pinktoe) - fast but usually docile but not as colorful as the metallic pinktoes

Grammostola rosea (Chilean rose hair) - usally docile but not very colorful

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Originally Posted by SPJ

Avicularia mettallica (metallic pinktoe) - fast but usually docile and colorful

Brachypelma smithi (Mexican red knee) - colorful, usually docile, but likes to kick hairs

Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian black) - docile but not very colorful

Avicularia avicularia (pinktoe) - fast but usually docile but not as colorful as the metallic pinktoes

Grammostola rosea (Chilean rose hair) - usally docile but not very colorful

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Roseas are known to be unpredictable, being really docile one second, then acting like an axe murderer the next, LoL.

Avic avic can be pretty fast buggers. Same with the Avic mettallica

Smithis are a VERY good choice. Nice, colorful, long living (if you have a female) docile, and yes, it can kick hairs, but so can every other T you listed.

Pulchras are REALLY slow growers.

What about aureostriatas? They are like the ball pythons of Tarantulas.

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Originally Posted by bpkid

What about aureostriatas? They are like the ball pythons of Tarantulas.

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I was unaware of them. :O Hmmm. Chaco Golden Knee. Looks I have to do some more research.

personally i'd recommend a GBB for your first T.

avics, when they are under 1" are very delicate - easy to loose them. i always make sure my avics are over an inch when i buy them.

personally, i don't recommend holding any T. they are very fragile and can run or leap when the mood strikes them... i can't tell you how many experienced keepers i know that have had a T die while out of it's enclosure. :(

They are all good choices. First off, are you looking for an adult tarantula or a juvenile or spiderling? If you are looking for adults, cross the g. pulchra and the b. smithi off of your list unless you have deep pockets, because if you find an adult, it will likely cost plenty. Avics are beautiful, but they are arboreal and quick, so an escape is possible if you aren't careful. I don't own anything on your list except for the rosea, and mine is just a .25" sling, but they are all on my wish list. Personally, I would get the pulchra or the smithi, or get a grammostola aureostriata like bpkid suggested. I have one that is around 1.5" now, and it is very docile and in plain view most of the time.

Actually, thinking about it, there are some other ones you didn't mention too. Brachypelma Albopilosum (curly hair) is supposed to be docile, and brachypelma boehmei (Mexican fireleg) is another.