Beginner

marebear

Arachnopeon
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Jan 1, 2005
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I am a beginner in the spider world and I was wondering, what is the best spider to start off with?
 

Lochala

Arachnobaron
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Jul 1, 2004
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I believe the Grammostola pulchra are the best pet spiders. They are a docile species, get up to 6 inches long, and their velvety black color is quite nice. I started out with the Greenbottle Blue tarantula, Chromatopelma cyanopubences. They are the parrots of the tarantula world; Adults have cerulean blue chelicera and legs, an orange and black abdomen with orange setae, and a green carapace. They are easy to care for but can be skittish.
Hope this helps,
Tim Lochala
 

BlkCat

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I started with a G. Rosea. Easy to care for and hardy. She was very docile. I then moved on to getting a avicularia versicolor. He was docile aswell, but a little skittish. If u breathed on him, he would run. They are aboreal and a little harder to care for because of the humidity and vent requirements.
I have read that Chaco golden knees and pink zebra beauties are great for beginners aswell. I have never had either one though.
 

BlkCat

Arachnoprince
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BTW, Welcome to the boards!! :)
Dont forget there is a search function. Just type in the name of whatever T u are interested in and u will find alot of info. Have Fun!!!
 

usumbaraboy

Arachnobaron
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Jan 27, 2004
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well i started out with an obt or usumbara baboon dont know how to spell the scientific name. another good one is the stripe knee or a seemanii they are a great t to start with. but if u want a t that gets big fast try a l parahybana. they get to i think 8-10 inches and are a little skittish but they are a great t to look at. but welcome to the boards and yeah just use the search function and u can find any t ur looking for
 

Cigarman

Arachnoknight
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Oct 11, 2004
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My Grammostola Aureostriata was my first T and its been quite entertaining. Slow and gentle in its manner, its been a good T to take out and let wander on my bed. My PZB has been more skittery but is also slow when not scared of its own shadow. :}
 

BlkCat

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Cigarman said:
My Grammostola Aureostriata was my first T and its been quite entertaining. Slow and gentle in its manner, its been a good T to take out and let wander on my bed. My PZB has been more skittery but is also slow when not scared of its own shadow. :}
What is PZB?
 

nowhereman

Arachnoknight
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Sep 3, 2004
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Grammostola Aureostriata

marebear said:
I am a beginner in the spider world and I was wondering, what is the best spider to start off with?
Get off to a good start. Get a Chaco golden knee (Grammostola Aureostriata).
Easy care , teddy bear of the T's, medium growth rate, wonderful to learn from and enjoy. :)
While your at it pick up some reading materials on tarantulas. :D
 

luther

Arachnodemon
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Apr 8, 2003
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Any commonly available species of Brachypelma or Grammostola would make a good beginner's tarantula, since they are relatively docile, grow to a decent size and are hard to kill.
 

DanD5303

Arachnosquire
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Grammastola aureostriata-Chaco Golden Knee

These are docile, easy to keep spiders that get big and look good, IMHO. They do best under dry conditions so the humidity isn't a big factor, and they eat well. Welcome to the boards, by the way, Dan
 

NYbirdEater

Arachnobaron
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May 25, 2004
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any Grammastola genus is docile though you may ruin into the occasional wacko by chance. C cyaneopubescens are also docile but fast. I'd say get a rosehair or a pulchra, they ae slow docile and you will be able to get a feel for how to care for T's. After that you'll most likely become obsessed like the rest of us and start buying many species.
 

Greg Wolfe

Arachnoprince
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Your first T...

There are many docile species to consider starting out with. May I suggest the following:
1) PZB (E. campestratus)
2) Curly hair (B. albopilosum)
3) Mexican red knee ( B. smithi)
4) Peruvian Pinktoe ( A. avicularia)
:)
 

druid8783

Arachnosquire
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Dec 22, 2004
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Hello! I'm new to the game too. My first was a G. aureostriata (chaco golden knee). It is a great spider! Very slow moving and docile. I've since added some more I have A. seemanni (costa rican zebra) they are quicker but are still pretty docile, A. avicularia (pink toe) mine is pretty jumpy so I don't know that I'd recommend it for a first T, and a Mexican red rump (can't remember the species name). Mine is still really tiny so I can't say much on it besides that it is a burrower so I don't see it much.

Everytime I've read something about beginner T's on the board the genus Brachypelma and Grammastola have been the most recommended.
 

Sandra

Arachnobaron
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Grammostola aureostriata

We love our juvenile G.aureostriata, aka Chaco Golden Knee. It was amongst a couple that were recommended as a starter T. Glad we settled on this one. Not jumpy, is calm, docile, mellow, easy to care for. He helped ease us into the hobby and gave us such a positive first experience.

Good luck, let us know what you get!
 

Valtinho

Arachnopeon
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Oct 1, 2003
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40
I few months back I would have said Chaco (G. Aereostriata) too, but lately mine has been trying to bite my hand when I change the water dish.

So now I think Pink Zebra Beauty is better. I have two, and they are absolutely the sweetest. Plus grow to a decent size and look great in their own subdued way. They are also more active than the average G rosea.
 

marebear

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Messages
11
Thanks everyone! I will be doing some research before I choose which one. You guys helped me out alot!
 
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marebear

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
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11
I think I am going to get a BRACHYPELMA ALBOPILOSUM (Curly Hair Tarantula) . What does everyone think?
 
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