Looking to get a T

[Papa Burgundy]

Hello old friends! It's been a LONG time since my last post.
I sold all my BP's back in december and have been reptileless for the first time in almost 15 years.
Anywho, I was golfing yesterday and stumbled upon a tarantula walking across the cart path. I went over to him to check him out. He didn't seem very scared of me, because he wanted to hide beneath the arch of my golf shoe!
It was gorgeous, not sure what kind, but it sparked my interest in the tarantula hobby. So I guess my question is, can you all recommend some good beginner T's if I decide to get one, along with a pic. I have seen some on this board and they are GORGEOUS.
Thanks everyone.

[Neal]

The 2 best starter T's would be the Rose Hair & the Mexican Red Knee. Rose Hair is probably the most tolerant of being handled, Red Knees are also good, but they can flick hairs sometimes.

Rose Hair Tarantula


Mexican Red Knee Tarantula


However they have other species that are very very beautiful, but a lot of them aren't good beginners. Some of them are rather difficult to mimic the husbandry, then others are fiesty, and flick hairs readily.

[Patrick Long]

Weird, I was just thinking about you yesterday no joke.

Glad to see your alive and kickin!

I would also suggest a G. Rosea or a B. Smithi

I think both are extremely low maintenance species that are awesome to work with.

[Papa Burgundy]

What were you thinkin bout huh Patrick?
Haha how are the geckos? I miss those gorgeous guys and galls.

Well that Mexican Red knee is absouletly gorgeous, and I'll have to look up the ones you recommended Pat.

I forgot about how cool this board was. We are all a bunch of snake/insect/bug nerds.
WE MUST STICK TOGETHER! -triumphant music-


Edit: I just went on your website and saw the geckos are looking damn fine! Nice site you have too.

[Neal]

Umm. B. Smithi = Mexican Red Knee and G. Rosea = Rose Hair.

B. Smithi is the scientific name, Mexican Red Knee is the common name. I listed by the common name because a lot of sites list them by common name.

[Elleken]

Ehhh I wouldn't go with a rosie for a first. I have had some first hand experience with them. They can go on feeding strikes that can completely throw off a new owner. Some are crazy and do not tolerate handling at all(like mine) and in general have a lot of strange little things to throw you off. I would however suggest a B. Smithi. Getting an adult may be a bit more expensive than most people would spend on a spider, but if you get a juvenile you're going to have a long wait for it to get big.

[cinderbird]

those pics are so pretty. Ts arent my thing at all but i do find them fascinating.

The only thing of value i have to add to this conversation is if your T is flicking hairs, do NOT hold your face near him. The hairs are like mini porcupine quills and if your face is too close they can actually embed themselves in your cornea and cause all kinds of pain and suffering and agony. (I am/was an ophthalmic photographer, and my professors in college saw to it that i saw the worst of this stuff).

[Jamie-n-Heith]

My BF and I have 6 Tarantulas, Brazilian Salmon Pink Bird Eater, Chaco Golden Knee, Skeleton, Brazilian Giant White Knee, Sun Tiger, and a Mexican Red Rump. The Bird Eater and the Skeleton are very nasty and will bite without hesitation! The Chaco is super cool and very easy to handle she doesnt flick hairs or try to run away, our White Knee is handle able, she flicks hairs but only when your try to get her out once she is out of her tank she is fine. The Sun Tiger has her moments she will rear up and get nasty but she can be calmed down and handled, she tends to run fast and can be hard to catch. Our Red Rump is still pretty small but so far so good, she can be picked up for cleaning and doesnt run or try to bite.
My BF had a Rose Hair when we first got together that he got back in like JR High (he is now 37) she died last summer and she was the sweetest, calmest, easiest to handle T we have had so far, I dont know if that was due to her being so old or just that she was a cool spider???
You want to get a female as they have a way longer life span and tend to be larger than the males. If you get a hatchling you will save money but you will not know the sex for a while... Good luck with your new critter, what ever species you choose...

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

FORGET ALL OF THAT.

GET A CHACO!
best T's ever. lol

[Glockman]

It all depends on your level of experience...that being said tarantulas do not enjoy handling....they lack memory totally relying on instinct and each individual is different. Sarah and I have over 40-50 Tarantulas give or take a few slings. I say get what you like, I like old world, better color and they show attitude and great feed response but it is up to you I would consider somthing hardy but Rosies are pet rocks i my opinion. B. Smithi is a much better choice for new world better color and a much nicer display. ultimately it is up to you. If you have any questions about T'S PM me and I will give you my number and we can chat regards Matt