Need some advice on a new spider species

[Jenny C]

Hi

Im (relativley) new to tarantulas, ive only got one a lovely chile rose female, who ive kept successfully for about a year, and has -to my delight, recently moulted and provided me with a lovely shedding!

Im now relatively confident in having at least some spider keeping ability! I would love to extend my spider family, would love a spider which will acheive a large adult size, my local reptile etc shop has a stunning goliath, but ive done a bit of research and they seem to need very complicated habitats.

Any ideas of a large species of tarantula which does not need hugely complicated habits to be created - not because of laziness but because im eternally concerned that i would damage the spiders health by not providing it with an adequate environment - failing finding a suitable large species for me to keep i think i will go and get a nice mexican red knee!

Thanks

Jenny

[Daniel Carpenter]

Hi Jenny and welcome to the forum ....first of all, tarantulas on the whole are quite hardy and are not that fussed relly with what you provide them....as long as you give them water and food and a nice hiding place.
As to a nice big species i would go for the Chaco Golden Knee *Grammostola aureostriata* A nice big and doclie species that grows to about 16cm- 20cm Hardy and related to G. rosea ( you have got ) ...This should suit you well. There a quite a few about at the mo....these are sings but if you shopped around i am sure you could find a sub adult or adult.

http://www.thespidershop.co.uk/insect/product_info.php?products_id=375

Hope this Helps .... Any more questions please dont be put off to ask.
Dan.

[Colin D Wilson]

Would you be looking for an adult or a spiderling?

If you have any concerns about looking after a larger species, if you get it as a Spiderling you can go through the growing process and that way you will learn as you go. Almost all species are generally hardy, some more than others i.e. your rosea, and dont mind what environment (cosmetically) they have, its entirely up to you. like Dan said water, food, a hide, correct heating and humidity.... that will cover the basics.

there's been a couple of threads on here about a good starter T, have a good read (google the latin name and get a picture to see if you like it or not)
when you've got a wish list then check the prices and go for it !!

Never be afraid to ask questions, no-one knows everything and this is the best place to get advice.

p.s. as well as Dans option of a Grammostola aureostriata (nice), you may want to consider ... A Geniculata (brazilian white knee as one of its common names) more of a display T (gorgeous colouring)
or G rosea RCF (same as your rosea but the red colour form) just got two from Lee (spidershop) at the show in Kettering...very nice.
The geni grows a bit bigger but still reasonably calm (a little flicky with hairs sometimes)