Best Beginner Tarantulas

Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, Grammostola, Information, Lasiodora, New World, Old World No Comments »

So you’ve decided you want a tarantula. You’ve become obsessed with watching feeding videos, molting videos, grooming videos, unpacking videos, hell, maybe you’ve even watched a couple of breeding videos – but what tarantula is right for you? Depending on your experience with other exotic animals, you may find yourself capable of what might otherwise be considered an intermediate species, but here is my list of the top 5 beginning species (with many bonus options) for those just starting out.

 

Even though I have narrowed this list down to five specific species, these species were chosen with an entire genus in mind. This widely opens your choices, which will largely be aesthetic. Like bright colors? Or jet black? Guess what, both choices can lay within the same genus – giving you varying types of eye candy with the same care needs and behaviors. And what qualities make a good beginner species, anyway? Species that hardy, eat well, grow quickly or grow large, move slowly, are not likely to bite, and have low venom potency are all qualities most people look for when looking for their first pet tarantula.

 

Grammostola pulchripes

Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula): Okay, so I am a little biased with this species because it is what I personally started out with when I first got into tarantulas, and I’ll tell you why! Not only is this species hardy and of a very gentle disposition – but they get big and are quite lovely with their contrasting colors. Other species in this genus are also great choices because of their hardiness and there are a variety of colors you can choose from. Out of this genus, Grammostola rosea is often recommended as a beginner, but is known to be rather two-faced – calm and tolerant one moment, and ready to bite anything that moves the next. As long as you are not planning on handling though, that won’t be a problem! Other favorites in this genus include G. pulchra (the Brazilian Black) and G. iheringi (the Entre Rios – beautiful but a bit uncommon).

Brachypelma albopilosum

Brachypelma albopilosum (the Curly Hair Tarantula): Now, this species is just fun. Although it is largely brown, it’s charm lies in its long and (you guessed it) curly hairs. This species, and the others in its genus, are very easy to care for. Although many other Brachypelma species are more striking to look at due to their red or orange hues, the albopilosum is much less likely to flick hairs. Although many of the brachypelma genus are slow moving and easy to handle, their urticating hairs may leave you itching for hours, so handling is not recommended. Out of this genus, I have found that vagans is the most likely to show some attitude – and that can be a pro OR a con depending on what you like!

Lasiodora parahybana

Lasiodora parahybana (Salmon Pink Tarantula): Not only is the species fairly docile and a pinch to take care of – it is very cheap and easy to find! It is also one of the largest-growing species, reaching over 10 inches in size. This species is a fantastic eater and grows quickly, adding to its perks. There are other species in this genus that would be equally great choices, but their availability will be lower and their price will be more. Temperament can vary greatly between individual specimens, with attitude showing as they grow larger. Although their urticating hairs are not as bad as those belonging to Brachypelma, many people still have some sensitivities to them. Another perk despite the large size and voracious appetite of these tarantulas is their likelihood to hang out in the open for your viewing pleasure.

Aphonopelma chalcodes
Aphonopelma chalcodes (the Desert Blonde Tarantula): Just like the above suggestions, this genus has a ton of options. It is the genus that holds the tarantulas native to the United States, and species from this genus can be found through North and Central America. Care of species in this genus are similar to Brachypelma species, and there are a variety of species available to choose from. Although many species can be found close to home for American hobbyists, some species can still fetch a hefty price-tag due to captive bred Aphonopelma species being uncommon. They are not exactly fast growing, but you can usually pick up a juvenile or adult specimen for less than many other species of tarantulas.

Euathlus sp Red
Eathlus sp. Red (the Chilean Flame Tarantula): If a larger spider is not what you are picturing as your first spider, this dwarf species may be up your alley. This is a great species in that it is VERY docile and it’s care needs are simple. As this is a dwarf species barely reaching three inches, you’ll want to aim for a sub-adult or adult to ensure its easy-to-care for quality. This is a curious species that is apt to wanting to see what is going on outside of its enclosure. This species is incredibly slow growing, but for those just starting out a specimen of at least one inch could be just what you need to get your feet wet.
Written by: Christina Vulyak

In search of Brachypelma red leg tarantulas

Brachypelma, Information, Lectures No Comments »

The following lecture is based on a talk Andrew Smith delivered at the BTS (British Tarantula Society)about Brachypelma.

It revolved around his field trip to the Pacific coast of Mexico and the Sierra Madre Mountains in search of the wonderful red leg tarantulas of the genus Brachypelma. This is a very interesting video that is must watch

You can view as well as read a lot more of Andrew’s amazing works on his website lovetarantulas.com

Andrew Smith on a brachypelma tarantula

Pictured is Andrew Smith on a mature female tarantula

 

From wikipedia:

Brachypelma is a genus of the family Theraphosidae containing several species of tarantulas.

The species are native to Mexico and neighboring countries of Central America. Habitat destruction and pet-trade collection have led these spiders to be among the few arthropods protected under the international Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species rules. They are docile tarantulas which are easy to keep in a terrarium. The most famous species in this genus are the Mexican redknee tarantula B. hamorii (formerly B. smithi), curlyhair B. albopilosum, and the Mexican redrump B. vagans. They feed on smaller invertebrates and occasionally vertebrates, but while insects are the norm, they may also eat lizards or frogs. These species, like most tarantulas, are cannibalistic, so in captivity, individuals must be kept singly, though brief captive introductions of a mate for breeding purposes can prove unproblematic, so long as they are separated once mating has occurred.

Brachypelma baumgarteni vs boehmei

Anatomy, Brachypelma, Information, New World No Comments »

Hello fellow Brachypelma hobbyists! 

To start, I’ve been wanting to post photos of these two species and give a brief description between them. So I’m writing this for the many people who have a hard time IDing the two species. Obviously DNA would be the best way to tell them apart. However most of us are just miserable hobbyists that sometimes count on trusting and relying vendors and people like myself posting photos and selling the true species between baumgarteni and boehmei. If you wish to know who the current vendors are selling true Brachypelma baumgarteni private message me and I’ll be more than happy to tell you.

 

If you have purchased a tarantula that was sold as B.boehmei but has the appearance of a B.baumgarteni it’s most likely 99% a hybrid. You should be asking yourself the following: Why was it sold as boehmei? Why does it have the appearance of a baumgarteni? What are the years known that Brachypelma baumgarteni were successfully bred? Who were the breeders that successfully bred first and second inbred generations of Brachypelma baumgarteni? What were the known years and who imported Brachypelma baumgarteni? Who recently successfully bred first generation Brachypelma baumgarteni and where were they imported from? Was Brachypelma baumgarteni ever successfully bred in the USA and who bred them? Once you have these answers you’ll know the history of this beautiful species.

 

Pictured below is a Brachypelma baumgarteni immature male specimen of mine that is 4.25″ inches. My only wish is that the baumgarteni male was a bit bigger and had more of an adult appearance but these current photos will do for now. The baumgarteni male was imported out of Europe, it is the second inbreeding generation of this species, mated by Eddy Hijmensen “Metallica”. Also pictured below is a Brachypelma boehmei specimen of mine who was also imported out of Europe.

 

A brief description:

As  B.baumgarteni starts growing the species will have lots of dark/black hair coloration around the lighting bolt pattern on the metatarsal. On all eight legs the lighting bolt pattern on the metatarsal will be equally visually seen vs the boehmei with a black line on the metatarsal on all eight legs. Brachypelma baumgarteni is light beige, peach coloration vs boehmei a fire red color.

On the carapace between B.baumgarteni and B.boehmei and detail appearance between the two species is a huge difference as well. With the hybrids among us I understand that it would be difficult for most of you to determine and whether a specimen you’ve acquired or seen photo of is a hybrid or a true species. Since I have previously owned both hybrids and true species of each, I like to think I’ve done a good job of helping others properly ID some specimens. Plus knowing the history of a successful breeding is a major tool to use as well. Please keep in mind I’m no taxonomists but a miserable hobbyists that can only give you my best expert opinion by my experience of owning these true species as well with the hybrids I’ve also owned in the past.

 

Anyways enjoy these photos of both the Brachypelma baumgarteni vs Brachypelma boehmei.

(click to expand images)
Brachyeplma baumgarteni 1

Brachyeplma baumgarteni

Brachypelma boehmei 1

Brachypelma boehmei

Brachypelma baumgarteni

B.baumgarteni

Bracypelma boehmei

B.boehmei

Brachypelma baumgarteni

B.baumgarteni

Brachypelma boehmei

B.boehmei

Brachypelma baumgarteni

B.baumgarteni

Brachypelma boehmei

B.boehmei

Brachypelma baumgarteni

B.baumgarteni

Brachypelma boehmei

B.boehmei

Brachypelma baumgarteni

B.baumgarteni

Brachypelma boehmei

B.boehmei

Brachypelma baumgarteni

B.baumgarteni

Brachypelma boehmei

B.boehmei

Article by Jose Berrios

Photos by: Jose Berrios/Exoskeleton Invertebrates