Are you new to the hobby and trying to decide what species to start with? It can definitely be overwhelming with so many options available right now. Below are some of our recommendations, but please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list and only meant to offer some guidance and suggestions. 

 

BEGINNER SPECIES

These are the species of tarantulas that we usually recommend for new keepers that want to occasionally handle their spider: Aphonopelma chalcodes, Aphonopelma hentzi, Avicularia avicularia, Grammostola rosea, Grammostola pulchra, or Grammostola pulchripes. We find these are usually the most tolerant of occasional handling, but as with all animals, individual temperaments may vary. 

 

Good beginner species if you don't plan to handle: Anything listed above is still a great recommendation, but you can include species that may be a little speedier/skittish, may kick hairs in defense, or have a stronger feeding response, such as: any Aphonopelma species, Acanthoscurria geniculata, any Brachypelma species, Caribena versicolor or laeta, Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens, the other Grammostola species not listed above, Hapalopus formosus, Lasiocyano sazimai, any Lasiodora species, Neoholothele incei, Nhandu species, or Vitalius chromatus. 

 

Best introductions to old world species (the recommendations below are based on the keeper starting with spiderlings): Ceratogyrus species (darlingi, marshalli, sanderi, etc.), Harpactira pulchripes, Heterothele villosella, Idiothele mira, Monocentropus balfouri, or Poecilotheria regalis. All of these species are generally great first step into keeping old world tarantulas.

 

DEFINITIONS

Arboreal - These tarantulas live in trees and often benefit from a cork tube to use as their hide. 

 

Terrestrial - These tarantulas live on the ground and sometimes construct their own or use pre-existing burrows. 

 

Fossorial - These tarantulas live underground and will benefit from deep substrate to burrow and create their den in. 

 

FEEDERS

We feed most of our smallest baby spiderlings flightless fruit flies. Some extra small species will also get springtails as supplemental "snacks" in case they have difficulty taking down the fruit flies at their size. The rest of our spiderlings will get a variety of feeders based on what we have in the appropriate sizes at the time. We feed black soldier fly larvae, banded crickets, red runner roaches, and dubia roaches. Discoid roaches, superworms, and mealworms are other feeder options as well.