Checking in to do research before getting a new pet

[octanejunkie]

My 9 yo daughter wants a tarantula, I'm not sure why. I've kept reptiles in the past so its no big deal to me, but I want to do some research before diving in.

We currently keep fish and aquatic invertebrates like snails, shrimp and crayfish, in planted tanks (live plants) so my initial thoughts for a proper tank for a tarantula is more of a vivarium type setup, preferably with a section with water to keep some fish in - possibly split a 10G tank with 4-5" of substrate into half water half soil? As long as it's the proper habitat for the species.

The other thought is a desert tarantula with dryer bedding and perhaps some succulents in the tank for decoration.

I'd love to get some thoughts and ideas to help us determine which species of tarantula to get so we can properly plan and setup the proper housing. Simplicity is good, but pretty is better.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chubbs]

My 9 yo daughter wants a tarantula, I'm not sure why. I've kept reptiles in the past so its no big deal to me, but I want to do some research before diving in.

We currently keep fish and aquatic invertebrates like snails, shrimp and crayfish, in planted tanks (live plants) so my initial thoughts for a proper tank for a tarantula is more of a vivarium type setup, preferably with a section with water to keep some fish in - possibly split a 10G tank with 4-5" of substrate into half water half soil? As long as it's the proper habitat for the species.

The other thought is a desert tarantula with dryer bedding and perhaps some succulents in the tank for decoration.

I'd love to get some thoughts and ideas to help us determine which species of tarantula to get so we can properly plan and setup the proper housing. Simplicity is good, but pretty is better.

Thanks in advance!

Aphonopelma chalcodes, Brachypelma smithi, Brachypelma albopilosum, Brachypelma boehmei, Brachypelma vagans, Grammastola pulchripes, Euthalus sp. red or Euthalus sp. yellow. We use scientific names around here as it tends to make identifying species easier. Make sure she understands that these are not good animals for handling. Not only does it stress them out and they can be seriously injured from even a short fall, but all tarantulas have fangs and venom and are capable of biting. Personality depends on the individual. You may end up with an individual that is not so friendly, even if the species it belongs to has a reputation for being docile. Stay away from any Old World species.

 

[Enn49]

Of the ones Chubbs has listed I have :-
B. smithi, spends most of its time in full view
B. albopilosum, put it in a clear container and watch it dig, a fascinating T
E. sp red, another that spends time on the surface and always seems to be on the go.

 

[octanejunkie]

Thanks for the responses, gentlemen

I am leaning towards a B. albopilosum (Curly Hair) 1/2-3/4", along with a spiderling enclosure, from jamiestarantulas.com

I have ordered the The Tarantula Keeper's Guide from Amazon.com and will read and research more

I appreciate any and all information experienced keepers are willing to share so my daughter and I can be as successful as possible

And no, we will not have any expectation of handling our spider

 

[TheJuicyFruit]

I only have One (Soon two) T at the moment, but it's my understanding that curlies are great starters. Definitely give the T keeper's guide a read, and watch some videos on youtube. This video is about caring for a B smithi, but it applies to curly hairs as well. Definitely worth a watch. And welcome to the forums

 

[octanejunkie]

Thanks for the encouragement.
I went to a local petstore at lunch today and viewed a few spiderlings, none with proper, scientific names posted. Prices ranged from $8 for a dime sized critter to $20 for a nickle sized fellow. They had a larger pink haired one for $29, again not sure of the exact name.

Not sure if I should be buying local from the guys that don't seem to know exactly what they have or order online... pros and cons to each I'm sure.

Regardless, I am waiting till our T Keeper's Guide arrives and I've read through the salient and pertinent points to beginning a husbandry project/relationship with a new friend.

 

[PamCz]

Welcome! Once you've read the T Keeper's Guide, you'll be good to go! I also recommend a smithi, an albopilosum, an euathlus sp. red, or even a pink zebra beauty (eupalaestrus campestratus) -- all great starter T's. If you go for the "pink" one...make sure it's not a salmon pink bird eater (lasiodora parahybana). Not a good first T, IMO.

 

[PamCz]

My 9 yo daughter wants a tarantula, I'm not sure why. I've kept reptiles in the past so its no big deal to me, but I want to do some research before diving in.

We currently keep fish and aquatic invertebrates like snails, shrimp and crayfish, in planted tanks (live plants) so my initial thoughts for a proper tank for a tarantula is more of a vivarium type setup, preferably with a section with water to keep some fish in - possibly split a 10G tank with 4-5" of substrate into half water half soil? As long as it's the proper habitat for the species.

The other thought is a desert tarantula with dryer bedding and perhaps some succulents in the tank for decoration.

I'd love to get some thoughts and ideas to help us determine which species of tarantula to get so we can properly plan and setup the proper housing. Simplicity is good, but pretty is better.

Thanks in advance!

By the way....the vivarium you are describing would be perfect for a Hysterocrates gigas. This T actually swims, submerges for extended periods of time, and will hunt fish. But, not anywhere NEAR a good starter T.

 

[Enn49]

My advice would be to buy online and then you know exactly what you're getting.

 

[octanejunkie]

By the way....the vivarium you are describing would be perfect for a Hysterocrates gigas. This T actually swims, submerges for extended periods of time, and will hunt fish. But, not anywhere NEAR a good starter T.

I've deviated greatly from my original thoughts here and have opted for a standard, contemporary habitat to house a B. albopilosum spiderling to arrive this week. IF we ever graduate to multiple Ts, I may consider housing a species as ambitious as that!

 

[octanejunkie]

My advice would be to buy online and then you know exactly what you're getting.

I concur. I have ordered a B. albopilosum spiderling and enclosure from jamiestarantulas.com. Thanks!

 

[PamCz]

My advice would be to buy online and then you know exactly what you're getting.

ALWAYS good advice!

 

[PamCz]

I've deviated greatly from my original thoughts here and have opted for a standard, contemporary habitat to house a B. albopilosum spiderling to arrive this week. IF we ever graduate to multiple Ts, I may consider housing a species as ambitious as that!

Awesome! I LOVE Jamie's T's. I just ordered 4 T's through her last week.

 

[Enn49]

I concur. I have ordered a B. albopilosum spiderling and enclosure from jamiestarantulas.com. Thanks!

You won't regret it.

 

[Therasoid]

My advice would be to buy online and then you know exactly what you're getting.

+1 agree with Enn49 on this one. Many reputable breeders online to buy from, check out the "for sale" section on the forum.
I would like to add another species often overlooked, Cyriocosmus ritae, a dwarf species. IMO the best looking in the genus. Docile, out in the open, easy to care for, great & aggressively attack their prey and did I mention gorgeous? [emoji7]

 

[Enn49]

+1 agree with Enn49 on this one. Many reputable breeders online to buy from, check out the "for sale" section on the forum.
I would like to add another species often overlooked, Cyriocosmus ritae, a dwarf species. IMO the best looking in the genus. Docile, out in the open, easy to care for, great & aggressively attack their prey and did I mention gorgeous? [emoji7]

I have to agree about Cyriocosmus, ritae is one I don't have yet but I do have elegans, bertae and pentalore and they are all great little Ts

 

[Fuzzball79]

I IF we ever graduate to multiple Ts, I may consider housing a species as ambitious as that!

WHEN, not IF, lol.
I hope your daughter and your whole family will enjoy your new pet, I'm sure you will.

 

[octanejunkie]

WHEN, not IF, lol.

MTS applies here too I see...

Multiple Tank Syndrome > Multiple Tarantula Syndrome

Just what we needed, another bottomless pit of a hobby, and more tanks to manage (we have 7 fish tanks running)
LMAO

 

[Fuzzball79]

So far I'm behaving: I've stopped at 8 (Ts not fish) due to space reasons. I still browse through the shops, but I think my husband has been very lenient with me after breaking my "these will definitely be the last" promise, when I bought no. 4, lol.

 

[octanejunkie]

So far I'm behaving: I've stopped at 8 (Ts not fish) due to space reasons. I still browse through the shops, but I think my husband has been very lenient with me after breaking my "these will definitely be the last" promise, when I bought no. 4, lol.

Haha!
We all have our vices and exigencies.