If I could get just a moment of your time …
This is going to be a short and sweet blog post. Although I’m working on an article that the results of this poll would be really useful for, this question comes more from curiosity.
How many of you in the hobby began with a “beginner species?”
For the sake of argument, let consider the following a “beginner species.”
All Aphonopelma, Brachypelma, and Grammostola species, C. cyaneopubescens (GBB), Avicularia avicularia or metallica, Lasiodora parahybana (LP), E. capestratus, and Euathlus species.
And, for the more “advanced” species, let’s go with:
All “baboon” species, Pamphobeteus species, Phormictopus species, Nhandu species, Acanthoscurria species, Hapalopus species, Tapinauchenius species, Psalmopoeus species, and Poecilotheria species, and any other “Old World” tarantula not listed above.
If you’re not sure where yours falls, please take a moment to put it in the comment section.
And, anyone who wants can also name their first species in the comment section.
I’d really LOVE to get as many people as possible to answer this to get an accurate look at what the percentage is. Feel free to share this with anyone who keeps Ts and might be interested in participating.
Thanks!
Tom
Tom's Big Spiders 
Reblogged this on Casey's Overnight Cafe and commented:
A poll from Tom’s Big Spider Blog about which type of species you started with.
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I’d ordered a G. pulchripes and freebie OBT from Kelly Swift, but while that was in transit, purchased 2 G. porteris from Petco during their “reptile roundup” 50% off sale. I still say the OBT is a cool “beginner”. -snicker.
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My first was a Grammostola rosea and I just got my husband a about 1/2in Euathlus sp. Red for his first…although technically they all are “ours”. I’m only a little over a year into the hobby and so far keep a total of 17 different species, 33 total tarantulas (counting Spookly even though you have him).
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Two great starter species. I love the G. rosea, even though they have fallen out of favor a bit. 33 in a year? Oh, yeah…you guys are addicted. Hahaha
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Hello Tom.
My very first tarantula was a tiny baby Brachypelma boehmei (sold to me as a smithi by the pet shop). I kept it for two years alone until it began to go nuts: I rescued an adult Brachypelma smithi from a smuggler (arrested at the border), then one year later bought a Lasiodora Parahybana and a Theraphosa stirmi… and a few more months later a Pterinochilus murinus. These were my first Ts. In all honesty, I couldn’t say I was experienced enough to have a stirmi or a murinus, but it all went well: both are still alive and thriving in my collection. Nowadays, I keep 50+ different spp.
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My first was a sling GBB then I rescued a Rosie off of Craigslist
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GBBs are awesome to watch grow up!
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My 1st tarantula was a Chilean Rose hair. When I first got her there wasn’t a whole lot of info available about tarantula care, especially Rose Hairs. I have no idea as to how old she was when I got her. I kept her in a 10 gallon aquarium with a metal screen top. Misted her tank once a week and fed her a few crickets every week. She had a log hide and a shallow water bowl that I’ve witnessed her drinking from once. I had her for 10 years before she passed away. I guess by today’s standards, Rose Hairs really aren’t considered a good beginner species but I still loved her. I would love to get another one in the near future.
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My first was a rose hair as well, and I still have her (22 years later!). I know that they’re not as popular these days, but I still love the species. They may not be the absolute best choice for a beginner, but they are still a good beginners species. 🙂
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My first was a Hapalopus sp. I had years of experience of other inverts (mainly mantises) so felt that I didn’t have to strictly adhere to the usual list of beginner species. Also, I was restricted to some sort of dwarf species as I lived with someone who wouldn’t tolerate any spider larger than a native UK species. This turned out to be a good decision; apart from a couple of minor issues it was happy and healthy (as far as I could tell), and died a few years later as a mature male. Very interesting species too!
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My first was C versicolor. 2nd was Lasiodora Klugi.
Before that, I got into inverts by getting a Malaysian Forest scorpion H spinifer.
I’m not sure why all Pamphobeteus species are considered advanced. Heck, the only difference between my Pamphobeteus machala and my Lasiodora Klugi is that I use more frog moss and moisture for the pamphobeteus, slightly bigger water dish too. Another words, I water the frog moss and overflow the water dish twice a week instead of just a little bit once a week.
Overall temperment between them both is very similar. Both are happy to be front row and center of the enclosure acting like they own the entire TV room. Neither is defensive or aggressive. Both are very pouncy and they assume anything that moves is edible including feeding tongs, paint brushes, water being poured into said waterdishes.
If you can remember to water your ferns twice a week, why not your tarantula? To disqualify something as not a beginner, it has to be harder then that.
Something very aggressive with really strong venom or that is super fast or extremely delicate is an advanced species.
The more affordable Pamphobeteus slings aren’t in those caragories. Start with something 1.5 to 2 inches in size unsexed.
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