Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Phil1988

What would you guys say was a good tarantula for a first time owner. I like the look of Mexican Red Knees but have heard they are prone to firing their hairs. If I ever got one I would want one that looked good and I could setup a great looking natural tank for it.

Also I thought this would be a good topic for other's interested in maybe getting their first T.

lovesnakes · Key Member Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 323 Location: essex

I'm also interested in getting a tarantula. two species being recommended to me are
Chile rose
pink toe
both really docile (although you do still get that odd individual!) pink toes are arboreal and therefore appreciate a little height in their enclosure, whereas the Chile is terrestrial. if you shop around, both species can vary a little in their looks and there are some gorgeous individuals about, males in most cases having the edge!

I've done a little enquiring about the red knees and to their hair dropping and I'm getting a lot of mixed responses, so again i think it could be luck of the draw. (and if or how often you plan to handle it)

I'm still undecided as to which I'm going for. i have kept a Chile before many years back but feel as though I'm starting all over again, hence the starter!!

try this place if you haven't already http://www.thespidershop.co.uk/insect/index.php

good luck

Andy
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garysumpter · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 914

I bought my first tarantula a few months back, a Chile Rose (G.Rosea).

NO regrets, great spider!

I am going to get a Red Knee (B.Smithi) in a few weeks now I am more comfortable handling the Chile.

Gary
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trueviper_UK · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:56 am Post subject:

Chile Roses make great starter T's and are very hardy.

Avicularia species (pink toes ect) are also great to keep but they require a higher humidity in their enclosure, up to 80% which is easy to achieve with regular misting and a damp substrate.
They also make a lovely funnel style web that they spend most of their time hiding in. Well, mine did anyway Smile

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You can't trust the snake......but you can always trust the snake to be a snake.

SiUK · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject:

my first spider was a chilean rose as said they are very hardy and can tolerate alot, they can live at room temp as well and are very docile also hondouran curly hairs and mexican red knees make good starter spiders, personally id look for a red colour form chilean rose if I was buying a first spider because they are not as boring to look at and just the same to keep.
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Phil1988 · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:25 pm Post subject:

Would most of these be OK to be housed in the 30x30x30cm exo terras?

SiUK · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

yeh they all would be ok in that, unless they are not adult then a tank of that size might be too big, depending on the size of the spider
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Phil1988 · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 11:31 pm Post subject:

Well after all that I think I'm going to eventally have a couple of emperor scorpions when my mates breed. Althought I'm not ruling T's out forever Laughing

trueviper_UK · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:22 pm Post subject:

Phil1988 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:26 pm Post subject:

I'm curious as to how a tank can be 'too big'. I mean in the wild there are no boundaries. Surely if you provide them with the right setup then it wouldn't matter how big a tank you had.
If I'm wrong please tell me.