think i'm going mental

[Biffy Pyro]

as above, i think i want a tarantula but i'm terrified of spiders! i have no idea why i want one

what are they like to keep? what do they need etc. etc.

i'm not gonna get one anytime soon and if i do there will be someone ready to take over if i can't cope, the animal comes first

advice? anyone had any experience with thid kind of situation?

[invertasnakes]

I used to be a total arachnophobe and now have 60+ spiders. For me they have to be one of the most amazing creatures on the planet. depending on what you decide to keep depends on how easy they are to keep. Theres 100's if not 1000's to choose from ranging from docile and relaxed ones to aggressive, nervous and defensive ones all varying in colour size and needs. Its highly addictive as i'm sure others on here will tell you and you'll very rarely find someone with just 1 spider and if they do they'll be planning on buying another one i promise you that.

the best advice i can do is do as much research as you possibly can, both on here and anywhere else you can find. Just something to point out in my opinion i wouldn't rely much on what a rep shop tells you, although there are good shops around you gotta remember that they're looking for a sale so they will in some cases tell you what you want to hear just to get that sale.

This is the friendliest section in here and you'll get loads of help and advice and nearly 100% of it will be spot on. There's nothing to be afraid of spiders wether they are true spiders or tarantulas its just a case of understanding them and respecting them.

Good luck in over coming your fear and hopefully we'll be saying "wow nice new T" to you in the near future

[lizard wizard]

i am too mate but i had a chilli rose and it was awesome soooo placid it unreal well mine was anyway

[Biffy Pyro]

cheers for the nice answer i thought i was gonna get shouted at like i've seen in the snake forum (i have a corn snake and look after a leopard gecko fromt itme to time) not to name names. i don't know i'll keep looking into it i think i might ask my tattooist if i can have a look at his mexican red knees (we're friends lol) as the tattoo on my leg is a portrait of one of them (theres a good reason for this lol) it the least he can do

[invertasnakes]

Nope no flaming here buddy, well only to the people that REALLY deserve it Good idea if you know someone who keeps them and is willing to help you then thats a good start. Like i said anything else you need to know drop in here and you'll get everything ya need to know.

[Biffy Pyro]

any suggestions what species i should look at first? preferably something docile and easy to look after?

i've heard that mexican red knees are good to start and rose something? chilean rose?

[My plague]

I'd go with b.albilosa, cheap available relatively docile and WAY under rated

[Froggins]

Originally Posted by Biffy Pyro

any suggestions what species i should look at first? preferably something docile and easy to look after?

i've heard that mexican red knees are good to start and rose something? chilean rose?

They are both good ones to start off with, but guaranteed once you get one you will get another, so you will probably end up with both of these anyway

[Biffy Pyro]

Originally Posted by My plague

I'd go with b.albilosa, cheap available relatively docile and WAY under rated

any pics/care sheet links you can post, google is giving me zip

[Kizzu]

Seems like a mistype, probably means B.albopilosum.

The common Ts recommended for beginners are G.Rosea (chile rose) or a species from the Brachypelma genus, they're all pretty hardy and docile though they may occasionally flick hairs. There's nothing saying you can't pick one that is a little more feisty as long as you have some common sense, yet as you're an arachnophobe I'd probably stay away from those for now.

They're real easy to keep too. An adult would need a tub 3-4x it's leg span (Terrestrials need more floor space than height, whereas will Aboreal need more height than floor space), a shallow water bowl and feeding once or twice per week! There's also the humidity to consider that some species require, however both G.Rosea and the majority of the Brachypelma genus like it fairly dry.