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<blockquote data-quote="Cobalt" data-source="post: 10050" data-attributes="member: 604"><p><span style="font-size: 12px">After searching upon the forum</span><span style="font-size: 12px"> and seeing several threads about people asking what T they should get, i decided to sit down and write a small simple guide for you "beginners". This guide only covers 3 different genuses and 4 different species.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">If there is anything you want to add or change, please send me a PM or post it in the thread and i will update it as soon as possible.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>What species should I get?</strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">I recommend the following species for beginners:</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em>Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose)</em></strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/roseas_zps4fdd128a.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></em></strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Grammostola rosea</em> is the most common first tarantula. This is because it is docile and generally easy to care for. This specie are ground-dwellers.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">It's natural habitat is in Northern chile, Bolivia and Argentina.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Grammostola rosea</em> are common in most pet stores but i recommend that you buy from breeders or private users of this forum for an example. Look for a female in a relative young age.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">You can feed them with crickets or smaller ****roaches or other insects (see links below). An adult <em>Grammostola rosea</em> has a tendency to stop eating for a long period of time so dont freak out if it just suddenly stops eating! They can grow to be 15 cm (6 inches) and live up to be 5+ years (male) or 20+ years (female).</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Do not believe everything care sheets say. Most caresheets says this species need a higher humidity than it actually does. They dont like high humidity - 50-65% is ideal.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Caresheet:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><a href="http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/grammostola_rosea.htm" target="_blank">http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/grammostola_rosea.htm</a></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em>Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco Golden Knee)</em></strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/pulch_zps041f0b35.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Grammostola pulchripes</em> (formerly <em>Grammostola aureostriata</em>) is also a good ground-dwelling beginner tarantula. </span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">It's natural habitat is in tropical south america.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">It's the fastest growing specie in the Grammostola genus and it can grow up to be over 20 cm (8 inches) and live up to 5+ years (male) or 20+ years (female) which is desirable for beginners. It's also a very docile tarantula and it rarely flick hairs. You can feed it with crickets, coackroaches etc.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">I do not know how rare this specie is, but it should not be hard to find one. Remember, always try to buy from breeders or people on this forum..not pet stores!</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"> As apposed to most beginner tarantula species who shows little activity, this specie is busy. For instance, my specimen is more active than my <em>Lasiodora parahybana</em> (Salmon Pink Birdeater). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">They are also very good eaters.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Caresheet:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><a href="http://pokernightswithtarantulas.blogspot.no/2011/12/care-sheet-grammostola-pulchripes-chaco.html" target="_blank">http://pokernightswithtarantulas.blogspot.no/2011/12/care-sheet-grammostola-pulchripes-chaco.html</a></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em>Avicularia versicolor (Antilles Pink Toe)</em></strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/versi_zps30b65253.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></em></strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Avicularia versicolor</em> is a beautiful tree-dwelling tarantula which are great for beginners.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">It's natural habitat is in the three island named <span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: #000000">Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica which are located in the Caribbean Sea.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: #000000">It's an arboreal tarantula and they grow up to be 13 cm (5 inches). They are docile but they are a bit skittish/nervous. This specie needs high humidity and good ventilation. It lives up to 3-5 years+ (male) and 12+ years (female). This tarantula is on the same "diet" as the others above.</span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><span style="font-family: 'verdana'"><span style="color: #000000">As im from Norway and they are very uncommon in pet stores here I don't know how common they are in the US pet stores. They are however not rare to find from breeders. Again - always try to buy from breeders and not pet stores. </span></span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Caresheet:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><a href="http://care-sheet.com/index/Avicularia_versicolor" target="_blank">http://care-sheet.com/index/Avicularia_versicolor</a></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em>Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Red Knee)</em></strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em><img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/smithi_zpsda4db637.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></em></strong></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Brachypelma smithi</em> is probably the second most common tarantula for beginners.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">It's natural habitat is in the Mexican Desert. They can grow up to be 13-15 cm (5-6 inches). They are slow and docile but can seem a bit nervous and can flick hairs. It's very long lived and females have been known to grow as old as 30 years. </span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">These should not be too hard to get, but i assume if you find them in a pet store they can be a bit pricey (?).</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Caresheet:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><a href="http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/brachypelma_smithi.htm" target="_blank">http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/brachypelma_smithi.htm</a></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>What size should my tarantula's enclosure be? </strong>(Thanks to <a href="http://www.tarantulaforum.com/members/kurt-nelson.394/" target="_blank">Kurt Nelson</a>)</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Terrestrial-</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">1-2 times the tarantula's leg span in substrate depth</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">2-3 times the tarantula's leg span in enclosure width and length</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">1.5 times the tarantula's leg span from substrate to enclosure top</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">No décor needed, however a small piece of cork bark can be used as a hide and a water bowl</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Arboreal-</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">1 times the tarantula's leg span in substrate depth</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">2 times the tarantula's leg span in enclosure width and length</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">2-3 times the tarantula's leg span from substrate to enclosure top</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">A small sprig of fake plant or a small piece of cork bark can be provided and a water bow</span><span style="font-size: 12px">l</span></p><p> </p><p></p><p> </p><p><strong>Additional helpful links:</strong></p><p> </p><p><u><strong>RobC's tip for Grammostola Rosea</strong></u></p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofa_CefXhkE&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Grammostola rosea care & tips!</a></p><p> </p><p><strong><u>STANS'S RANT - A Little Nudge in the Right Direction</u></strong></p><p><a href="http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/stansrant.html" target="_blank">http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/stansrant.html</a></p><p> </p><p><u><strong>Jon3800's T recommendations</strong></u></p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL98A32AEF390AAE40&feature=plcp" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL98A32AEF390AAE40&feature=plcp</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Jon3800 - Tarantula handling</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEC354FA9F38D540&feature=plcp" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEC354FA9F38D540&feature=plcp</a></p><p> </p><p><strong>Jon3800 - Mythbuster series - detailed information about various tarantula genus/species</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD3DC46229486A7D6&feature=plcp" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD3DC46229486A7D6&feature=plcp</a></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cobalt, post: 10050, member: 604"] [SIZE=3]After searching upon the forum[/SIZE][SIZE=3] and seeing several threads about people asking what T they should get, i decided to sit down and write a small simple guide for you "beginners". This guide only covers 3 different genuses and 4 different species.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]If there is anything you want to add or change, please send me a PM or post it in the thread and i will update it as soon as possible.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]What species should I get?[/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3]I recommend the following species for beginners:[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B][I]Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose)[/I][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B][I][IMG]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/roseas_zps4fdd128a.gif[/IMG][/I][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][I]Grammostola rosea[/I] is the most common first tarantula. This is because it is docile and generally easy to care for. This specie are ground-dwellers.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]It's natural habitat is in Northern chile, Bolivia and Argentina.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][I]Grammostola rosea[/I] are common in most pet stores but i recommend that you buy from breeders or private users of this forum for an example. Look for a female in a relative young age.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]You can feed them with crickets or smaller ****roaches or other insects (see links below). An adult [I]Grammostola rosea[/I] has a tendency to stop eating for a long period of time so dont freak out if it just suddenly stops eating! They can grow to be 15 cm (6 inches) and live up to be 5+ years (male) or 20+ years (female).[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Do not believe everything care sheets say. Most caresheets says this species need a higher humidity than it actually does. They dont like high humidity - 50-65% is ideal.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Caresheet:[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][url]http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/grammostola_rosea.htm[/url][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B][I]Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco Golden Knee)[/I][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][IMG]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/pulch_zps041f0b35.gif[/IMG][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][I]Grammostola pulchripes[/I] (formerly [I]Grammostola aureostriata[/I]) is also a good ground-dwelling beginner tarantula. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]It's natural habitat is in tropical south america.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]It's the fastest growing specie in the Grammostola genus and it can grow up to be over 20 cm (8 inches) and live up to 5+ years (male) or 20+ years (female) which is desirable for beginners. It's also a very docile tarantula and it rarely flick hairs. You can feed it with crickets, coackroaches etc.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]I do not know how rare this specie is, but it should not be hard to find one. Remember, always try to buy from breeders or people on this forum..not pet stores![/SIZE] [SIZE=3] As apposed to most beginner tarantula species who shows little activity, this specie is busy. For instance, my specimen is more active than my [I]Lasiodora parahybana[/I] (Salmon Pink Birdeater). [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]They are also very good eaters.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Caresheet:[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][url]http://pokernightswithtarantulas.blogspot.no/2011/12/care-sheet-grammostola-pulchripes-chaco.html[/url][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B][I]Avicularia versicolor (Antilles Pink Toe)[/I][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B][I][IMG]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/versi_zps30b65253.gif[/IMG][/I][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][I]Avicularia versicolor[/I] is a beautiful tree-dwelling tarantula which are great for beginners.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]It's natural habitat is in the three island named [FONT=verdana][COLOR=#000000]Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica which are located in the Caribbean Sea.[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#000000]It's an arboreal tarantula and they grow up to be 13 cm (5 inches). They are docile but they are a bit skittish/nervous. This specie needs high humidity and good ventilation. It lives up to 3-5 years+ (male) and 12+ years (female). This tarantula is on the same "diet" as the others above.[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][FONT=verdana][COLOR=#000000]As im from Norway and they are very uncommon in pet stores here I don't know how common they are in the US pet stores. They are however not rare to find from breeders. Again - always try to buy from breeders and not pet stores. [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Caresheet:[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][url]http://care-sheet.com/index/Avicularia_versicolor[/url][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B][I]Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Red Knee)[/I][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B][I][IMG]http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m278/TheAngryHenning/smithi_zpsda4db637.gif[/IMG][/I][/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][I]Brachypelma smithi[/I] is probably the second most common tarantula for beginners.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]It's natural habitat is in the Mexican Desert. They can grow up to be 13-15 cm (5-6 inches). They are slow and docile but can seem a bit nervous and can flick hairs. It's very long lived and females have been known to grow as old as 30 years. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]These should not be too hard to get, but i assume if you find them in a pet store they can be a bit pricey (?).[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Caresheet:[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][url]http://arachnophiliac.info/burrow/caresheets/brachypelma_smithi.htm[/url][/SIZE] [B]What size should my tarantula's enclosure be? [/B](Thanks to [URL='http://www.tarantulaforum.com/members/kurt-nelson.394/']Kurt Nelson[/URL]) [SIZE=3]Terrestrial-[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]1-2 times the tarantula's leg span in substrate depth[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]2-3 times the tarantula's leg span in enclosure width and length[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]1.5 times the tarantula's leg span from substrate to enclosure top[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]No décor needed, however a small piece of cork bark can be used as a hide and a water bowl[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Arboreal-[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]1 times the tarantula's leg span in substrate depth[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]2 times the tarantula's leg span in enclosure width and length[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]2-3 times the tarantula's leg span from substrate to enclosure top[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]A small sprig of fake plant or a small piece of cork bark can be provided and a water bow[/SIZE][SIZE=3]l[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][/SIZE] [B]Additional helpful links:[/B] [U][B]RobC's tip for Grammostola Rosea[/B][/U] [URL='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofa_CefXhkE&feature=youtu.be']Grammostola rosea care & tips![/URL] [B][U]STANS'S RANT - A Little Nudge in the Right Direction[/U][/B] [url]http://people.ucalgary.ca/~schultz/stansrant.html[/url] [U][B]Jon3800's T recommendations[/B][/U] [url]http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL98A32AEF390AAE40&feature=plcp[/url] [B]Jon3800 - Tarantula handling[/B] [url]http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAEC354FA9F38D540&feature=plcp[/url] [B]Jon3800 - Mythbuster series - detailed information about various tarantula genus/species[/B] [url]http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD3DC46229486A7D6&feature=plcp[/url] [/QUOTE]
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