Newbie

[Paul Messenger]

Hi Guys,
New to the group and have always wanted a tarantula. Whats the best one for a newbie ? I like the idea of having a bit of 'web' much like I have seen with a cobalt blue on youtube. I know that some tarantulas are prolific web spinners, but do not know the breeds.
Thanks
Paul

[Daniel Richardson]

Definatley not a cobolt blue!!!!! my first was a chile rose-they are really docile and slow moving and are very easy to look after.Also mexican red knee's make good pets,i've just got one today!!!!!

[Peter Lacey]

The are 2 types of temperament when it comes to tarantula and generally the Old World (Asia, Africa and Far East) are more aggressive than New World (Americas).
Cobalt Blue come from Old World as do Poecilotheria, Baboons & Earth Tigers.

The species I'd recommend for a beginner would be anything from Grammostola, Brachypelma or Aphonpelma genus. This will include the likes of G. rosea (Chile Rose), G. pulchra (Brazilian Black), B. boehmei (Mexican Fire Leg), B. smithi (Mexican Red Knee), B. albopilosum (Curly Hair), A. seemani (Zebra Leg) and A. chalcodes (Texan Blonde).
These are all easy species to care for, quite forgiving, less likely to bite (mild venom), colourful and live for a long period. Dry enclosures, feed once or twice a week, provide a water bowl and a hide and things should be fine. Temperatures should be between 70-85F.

[matthew spooner]

i agree with pete's recommended species for beginners, although when you have a bit more experience and confidence, if you want somethign that makes alot of web, i would say the indian violet (chilobrachys fimbriatus) i have never seen anything make so much web lol

[Craig Mackay]

Hi Paul and welcome to the forum. If you want a lot of web you could try a Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens (Greenbottle Blue). They're easy enough to care for and like a very dry enclosure so you don't have to worry about humidity at all as long as you have a water bowl. They've got gorgeous colours both as adults and slings. The only drawbacks are that they can be a little skittish and they can be a bit more difficult to get hold of for a good price. If you were wanting something really docile all of the spiders Pete mentioned would be great choices. Good luck with whatever you choose.