"Handleable" Tarantulas?

[Rapture]

Hey guys, my boyfriend is really interested in getting a tarantula for himself. He does want one that he would be able to pick up and handle if he wanted to.

I myself have kept a couple of species... Rosehair, Red rump, and tiger rump. The Rosehair was by far the most calm, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any other species that have the same kind of temperment?

Thanks in advance!

[Evan Jamison]

I'd say one of the best handleable Ts are Grammostola aureostriata (Chaco golden stripe). Calm and beautiful, plus they get pretty big at an 8"+ legspan. Avics are also great if you want an arboreal, but a little jumpy sometimes. Brachypelma smithi are great, but some individuals kick hairs pretty readily. Grammostola albopilosum are generally calm also. I would prefer any of the above to a rosie by looks alone.

-Evan

[Rapture]

Thanks for the info! Know of any breeders where I can see these or buy them from?

[Evan Jamison]

I've purchased from

Botar by eights
Krazy 8s
Todd Gearheart

All of which I would recommend. They all have general info on most species, and a good number of pics. Have fun!!

-Evan

[bodar]

any avic is also a good choice

[Smulkin]

any avic is also a good choice

As handleable? Mine are so fast I fear it would bolt right off me and plummet to the floor.

[Evan Jamison]

I handle our 3 A. versicolor regularly and have never had them bolt "off" me, but more "around" me. Occasionally they will jump from hand to hand, or hand to shirt, but never from hand to floor.

-Evan

[jglass38]

Handling of Tarantulas..What is this world coming to?

[ErikH]

As posted above, you can't go wrong with grammostola aureostriata. Also good would be grammostola pulchra (Brazillian Black), but they are more expensive unless you are looking at a sling. Grammostola Rosea (Chilean Rose) is readily available and generally docile as well. Of course, there are always risks with handling any tarantula, because of urticating hairs as well as the potential for being bitten. Also, dropping a tarantula is likely to prove fatal.

[SPJ]

Brazilian Black.

Mexican Red Knee.



http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/tarantulas.html