BEGINNERS TARANTULAs

Selection criteria for the first tarantula

1. Accessibility - common in the hobby and well known

2. Easy to care for

3. Inexpensive

4. Docile

5. Doesn't hide - clearly visible

Beginner species

These tarantula species are recommended for beginners to gain insight and experience in the hobby. Most of these tarantulas are terrestrial because they are relatively easier to care for:

1. Curly Hair (Brachypelma albopilosum)

2. Brazilian Salmon Pink (Lasiodora parahybana)

3. Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii)

4. Chilean Rose Hair (Grammostola rosea)

5. Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra)

6. Chaco Golden Knees (Grammostola pulchripes)

7. Green Bottle Blue (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)

8. Antilles Birdeater (Caribena versicolor)

All tarantulas have personalities. Regardless of species, each tarantula has it's own character.

Curly Hair (Brachypelma albopilosum)

Central American rainforest tarantula - an opportunistic burrower. It comes from Nicaragua and Honduras. Dark brown or grayish colors with twisted hairs resembling curls. Medium size with durable body. Very calm species and therefore recommended for beginners.

Brazilian Salmon Pink (Lasiodora parahybana)

Brazilians with a good appetite, rarely refuse meals, unless they are going to throw skin (molt). Durable, easy to care for, the third largest in the world - reaches up to 25cm in diameter with legs. A good spider for exhibition - the bigger it comes the less it hides. Good for beginners.

Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii)

Probably the most popular species in the hobby. Mexican desert tarantula, grows up to 16cm in diameter. Very colorful - reddish, yellowish cream on the joints of the legs and body. Very calm, mostly does not show aggression, sometimes kicks hair, which is very itchy. Opportunistic burrower.

Chilean Rose Hair (Grammostola rosea)

Due to its peaceful nature, it is recommended for beginners. Durable species, slow-growing, opportunistic burrower. It is found in nature in the savannas of Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. There are two types of colors - brownish and reddish..

Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra)

Impressive, velvety black tarantula. Found in Brazilian savannas and forests. Grows up to 18cm. A very peaceful species. Like other terrestrial species, it is an opportunistic burrower tarantula.

Chaco Golden Knees (Grammostola pulchripes)

This charming species comes from the Paraguayan savannas of the Chaco region. Very calm tarantula, usually does not show aggression and rarely kicks itchy hairs, grows up to 18cm in diameter. Charcoal-colored with yellowish-golden foot joints. This tarantula is also an opportunistic burrower, but when it reaches the age of juvenile and becomes about 10cm in diameter, it spends more time outside it's hide, especially in natural sunlight, which makes it an attractive display spider. When they reach adolescence, they begin to grow much more slowly.

Green Bottle Blue (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)

Found in nature in Venezuela. A charming species with a greenish head, reddish-orange belly and gleaming blue legs. Productive web weaver and opportunistic burrower. Durable and peaceful species. Most often, the specimens of this species are skittish rather than aggressive, it better run's away from the fight, rarely kicks itchy hairs.

Antilles Birdeater (Caribena versicolor)

Occurs in the rainforests of Guadalupe, Martinique and the Lesser Antilles. The previous name of this species was "Avicularia versicolor". Any species of spider of the genus Avicularia will be good for a beginner. Medium-sized, very colorful, peaceful, climbing tarantula. Like a spiderling, it is dark, turquoise, but when it grows completely changes the color scheme: the head becomes olive green, the abdomen reddish-blue, the legs reddish-purple. They like to move quickly and nervously, but usually avoid's biting.