Hi, well i held my first T yesterday, a mexican red knee, what a stunning spider it was to, Im now tempted to get a spider, but ill have to talk wendy around .
So what id like to know for all u experts is whats the best starter T???
Cheers,
Mark.

Any Brachy or Grammy would be a great starter - Red Knee / Chile Rose being the most popular of either genus. Chile's are cheaper by far , you can get an adult female for about a tenner form the Tarantula-shop.co.uk
My first T was a T.blondi , the guy in the shop told me they were docile....he lied..............

The best starter T's would be something from either Grammostola or Brachypelma family. So the Red Knee (B. smithi) or Rose Hair (G. rosea) are firm favs. I would say both are great and I have one of each the G. rosea was my first and the B. smithi was my second. Others I would recomend are B. albopilosom (Curly Hair) or G. aureastriata (Chaco Golden Knee) The aureastriata is about the biggest handleable T, growing to close to 8". Although even the more docile species can have their psycho!!

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0.1 Royal Python
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Of course if you dont plan to handle you could always get an OBT or H. lividum!!!

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0.1 Royal Python
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa

Cheers for the replys, im after a one that i can handle really.
Cheers,
Mark.

Chille Rose, brachypelma Sp. or an Avicularia Avicularia.. They are a bit fast/can jump, but generally lovely docile spids

my first was an a.avic and i loved it, lets me handle it whenever i need to

Dave

I have a juvenile B smithi (mexican red knee) if you want it when you drop the viv and corn off on Monday it's small at the moment but the colours of the red knee are through so doesnt look like a boring brown spiderling. It's leg span is just under an inch. It's kept in a cricket tub and will be fine in there for a good few monthes so wont take up much room. This is assuming your wife says yes, It's usually same for me when trying to buy a snake. Spiders she got used to but puts restrictions on snakes.

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"Tell me and I will forget, Show me and I will
Remember, involve me and I will understand"-Confucius 450BC


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqTzgNP2BK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qZX9Dv0AI4

I will probably get shouted down here but it worrys me when people talk about getting a T to hold.
I have 40+ T's and I dont see the fascination in holding them, the danger of dropping a T is deadly to them. I think the best advice to give on here would be not to hold them but yes get a beginner T to watch and learn to look after properly not to be giving advice on which ones better to hold.
I have see a g.rosea that would tag you as soon as look at you and she was a dolice species!!
Go on the BTS website and they have a non handling policy for good reasons as do most T breeders and experts.
I think we should be warning the people of the dangers of handling a T, not jumping on the band wagon of which is the best to get to hold.

Anyway, thats my twopenneth worth and I do expect to get ranted at.

I actually agree and dont handle any of my T's
If you do have to handle it do so on a table or even better sitting on the floor so if you do drop it or it jumps it wont fall far, a fall of just 12 inches or less can split the abdomon and kill a T

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Baby girl born 7-04-08
My Reptiles1.2 Royal Pythons 0.1 BCI
1.0 cornsnake
1.0.1 Bearded Dragons InvertsSAF L parahybanaAF G roseaAF A semanniP regalisH lividum3 B albopilosum slingsN coloratovilosumG aureostriataMaraca horridaWantedPython brongersmaiGTPDogStaff bitch Puppy

i agree with not handling them, but people will always do it as its a fascination thing.

Handling snakes stresses them out, but people will always still do it.

yes i had a g.rosea who wanted to eat me, some of the species you just need to buy in person if handling is what you want to do.

i personally handle them if they are to show a guest who is intrigued by them, i like people to know that spiders arent what they are made out to be in the media.. viscious killing things lol

but that doesnt mean i handle my pokies



Dave