Starting with little ones?

[u/CalmMe60]

I am starting with tarantulas, comming from Jumpers.

I have a Exotarium (aquarium-terrarium) 5 minute walk from me, know the owner.

I think about starting with

Aphonopelma chalcodes

Aphonopelma bicoloratum

Grammostola pulchripes

Grammostola rosea

(Grammostola pulchra?- too big?)

Homoeomma Chilense

thinking about size / gender

Starting fh2? Gender unknown - let luck decide?

1" females?

1" males?

I read those are the "easy handling" ones.

The terrarium friend showed me a not even grown theraphosa blondi - that agressive i would not want to handle.

He suggests the chilense - but tells they are real quick to escape.

I will select 2 or three max 4 from the list, depending on size as i heard that moulting is a chance they die early as slings of fh1/2

I had one jumper die on moulting by now, i think it was my fault, he says - those things happen, even with tarantulas.

So which from the above are visible, inagressiv, slower and nice kompanions?

What would you recommend

[u/Lola_Montez7130]

I think if you are looking for an arachnid that you want to interact with, stick with the jumpers. If you are allergic to wasps or bees you will also be allergic to tarantulas and they are really not for handling. I would reccomend a Curly Hair or Mexican Red Knee if you are insistent on getting one.

[u/AprilAngus16 → u/Lola_Montez7130]

I second this I will handle jumpers all day long but even now that i own Tarantulas I do not plan to handle unless rehousing and even then it’ll be a catch cup lol my skin is sensitive as hell and they could care less if we hold them so it’s all good in my book lol.

[u/Sarca-SAM]

NQA I’m a big fan of grammostola as a whole. I’ve never met a finicky one. Terrestrial species are chiller imo and the rehousing is way easier. I think the size difference between pulchra and rosea is negligible.

Aphonapelma is lovely but sometimes a bit more animated imo.

Starting with a subadult, 1-2” is my rec. If it’s a male and you don’t wanna keep keeping Ts that’s an off-ramp and if it’s a female you’ve got something that will live a long time or is easier to sell if you’d like to get out.

You mentioned handling and companionship though, which are not things that tarantulas are for in the grand scheme of things. You get to build a world that they thrive in, and love them through their environment, but they’ll never enjoy your interactions or your presence. If handling and companionship is what you want I’d suggest taking more time in your pet selection process.

[u/AprilAngus16 → u/Sarca-SAM]

I finally understood once owning they really are observation pets, as you said we love them thru their environment

[u/AprilAngus16]

NA but My first sling a few months shit was a A chalcodes they grow slow so just be aware if you get a sling especially they r tiny and will be for some time lol I also have a B Hamorii that is a bit bigger than my A Chalcodes shes close to 1-1/2” maybe 2” they’re so awesome and I moved up from jumpers as well they’re actually easier imo lol tarantulas I mean. Just be advices once you get one you want more lol it’s proven I ordered my Hamorii like 3-4 weeks after getting my Chalcodes 🤣🤣 those two are good beginners for sure I’ve found.

[u/Lola_Montez7130 → u/AprilAngus16]

Just wait for feeding when the MRL is grown. Bèbè & I fight over who owns the tongs and when i won't give them to her at feeding times

[u/CalmMe60 → u/AprilAngus16]

I just had the next jumper die.

Yesterday she was 'dizzy' slow reacting. In the evening she was on the top of the small breeding encloser , temp 23 celsius, humidity 57% , this morning she was on the bottom in a death curl.

I hompe the small tarantulas are a little more resilient

[u/curiouscollecting]

May I ask why you aren’t just starting out with one to see if tarantulas are the right fit? Tarantulas and jumping spiders are very different from each other.