My misses has been nagging for god knows how long for a spider now and i have to admit im less than keen on the idea...basically im terrified

Anyway, i THINK ive decided to let her get one as they do fascinate me (if scare me a little ) and have seen some Mexican Red Rump's for sale on here at a place really close to me.

I did ask the question in the advert about what are they like and are they in the same 'beginner' class as say a Chilean Rose and got a reply saying they are decent for a starter.

I dont doubt this for a second so i looked up a care sheet for them, it was very basic but it did say they are a little fast and a bit 'skittish'.

Now, dont get me wrong i totally accept that each spider will have its own personality but i would feel SOOOOO much better if i knew the spider i was buying was generally seen as calm/docile/easy going.

I certainly dont plan on handling it but if the NEED ever did arise i dont want the thought in my head that as soon as i pick it up its either 1) Going to bite sh*t out of me or 2) Jump off my hand never to be seen again or for me to wake up one night and there it is...on my face!!!!!!

So, what all this comes down to is is a Mexican Red Rump going to be a good start for us both or should i wait and find a Chilean Rose as these are the first spider that gets mentioned for beginners??

Ive read things about this next question but im going to ask it again anway...exactly what would it be like if the worst came to the worst and this spider bites? I accept different people will have different reactions but in general whats it like??

Thanks in advance and sorry for the 'newbie' questions!!

Gary.

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> is a Mexican Red Rump going to be a good start for us
> both or should i wait and find a Chilean Rose

I think a mexican red rump should be a nice beginners spider. But don't get it just because it's the first one you find. Take a look at some of the online shops
Virginia Cheeseman
TarantulaShop.co.uk (Powered by CubeCart)
My favourite is the Mexican Red-Knee. My chile rose is sweet too, but is a bit of a pet rock. I'm lucky if she moves a foot a day, thats one of her eight feet not a foot in length!

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Inverts - Tarantulas0.0.1 B. bohemi - Mexican Fireleg (George)0.0.1 B. emilia - Mexican Red Leg (Ginny)0.0.1 B. smithi - Mexican Red Knee (Fred)0.0.1 B. vagans - Mexican Red Rump (Charlie)0.0.1 C. fimbriata - Indian Chevron (Snape)0.0.1 C. cyaneopubescens - GBB (Mosag)0.0.1 E. sp. "blue femur"0.1.0 G. rosea - Chile Rose (Aragog)0.0.1 L. parahybana - Salmon Pink Birdeater (Hagrid)

Mexican red rumps are very pretty and interesting to watch. They are a very good (if not abit skittish) first T in my opinion. I have a juvi myself and I love her to bits.
If you would rather wait to get a chilean rose then maybe thats a good idea too, as they are what most people would go for for a first T. But if youre not holding it (as not recommended anyway) and you want a real pretty T then Id suggest a red rump.
Ive never experienced a tarantula bite thankfully, but it rarely happens, especially with the brachypelma and grammastola species, and the red rump is a brachypelma member and the chilea is a grammastola member.
I heard though that its no worse than a bee sting for the average size T.
The only thing Id be worried about is how would you know if youre allergic to it or not?
Anyway, whichever one you decide on im sure you'll make her very happy and im sure whichever one you dont get will become the second T in your household with many more to follow. It doesnt start and end with just one...believe me.
But really, they are no trouble, and are very easy to care for and a joy to watch and feed.
Good luck and keep us posted. Let us know what you decide.

P.S If expense is an issue then both the rump and the rose are inexpensive to buy and to keep. Its just a suggestion but for a first T may I recommend a juvi or upwards rather than a sling as you can get used to its habits more then and its more enjoyable for a first time.

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A Red Rump should be fine for a first T however as you pointed out every T has its own personality for example my Chile Rose is pretty aggressive despite the species stereotype.

Any T from either the Grammostola or Brachypelma Genus should make a good starter Spid.

2 of my favorites being
Chaco gold knee (Grammostola aureostriata) and
Mexican red knee (Brachypelma smithi)