I want a pet T.

My knowledge of spiders is very limited, but I can definitely vouch for Avicularia species being skittish. We have two A. avicularia and they are fairly docile and have never reared up, but they like to "teleport" at the slightest bit of movement or accidental breath on them. I guess that beats getting bit.

Avoid G. rosea. We have two of those as well. One is kinda sketchy and our other is psychotic.

Seems like with any T you chose you will have to sacrifice something. Looks for attitude. Speed demons instead of hair flicking. Etc. One general rule of thumb though is to avoid any old world species. They are usually very beautiful, but are generally very fast, have poor attitudes, a potent venom and very specific husbandry requirements.

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Originally Posted by Jessica Loesch

I second the Grammostola Pulchra, a gorgeous all black species that I too have heard of its docile nature. Great info from Tiff.

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I may add to this, I received a G. pulchra from a friend who got his as a sling and hadn't handled her before. She was about 3" when I got her and I handled her no problem. She was quite docile and calm, and I even let friends of mine handle her.

And thank you Jessica :).

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Originally Posted by lunapoo

I know they all bite. But wondering which ones wont make me sick for a week. or give me a swollen hand that i cannot use.
Well since i would like to touch it. I was thinking a Arboreal T would be easiest for that. So i can gently tap the T onto my hand for walking instead of waiting for it to come out of it's burrow.


Thank you

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For a beginner, stay away from Old World tarantulas. To my understanding, they won't make you sick for a week, but some bites from certain species (OBT is a good example) will definitely have you spend a few hours of your time at the toilet. Just make sure you look up information on the T's you're interested in so you don't end up choosing an Old World. OW T's also tend to be more skittish, defensive, etc.

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Originally Posted by lunapoo

Thank you very much. I will actually look into that.
I have been told to get antilles pinktoe tarantula. Any input on them as well? They are nice looking no doubt, but i rather be able to hold it then stare in awe ahah.
It is strange. i have been reading that most Mexican T's like to flick hair. Makes me laugh just because i am Mexican too. Guess us Mexican's are nervous things.

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Antilles Pink toes are great. Pink toes are usually an awesome T to start with aside from their teleporting ability as AK stated in the above post. When my Avic was young I handled her all the time even when she "teleported". You will get used to it as it can startle you at first. If you do end up with some type of Avic then I would still practice handling often.

Their defense mechanism is to also shoot poo/webbing stuff at you. My Avic got my hair a couple times, gladly missing my face. I certainly believe they try to aim their butts at your face LOL. But this can be prevented, if you notice the little butt in the air you could take a utensil and just slightly aim the abdomen away from you.

LMAO @ the Mexican thing :8::8:

Still, Avicularia are considered pretty slow compared to a lot of species. Selenocosmia, Tapinauchenius, Psalmopoeus and Poecilotheria are ridiculous! Its hilarious watching them take off and do the 400 yard dash, especially slings. :D