Hey everyone! (from the proud owner of... nothing yet)

[Peaceful Waterfall]

Hey guys, my name is Erin.

I've been up all night researching tarantulas, and came across this forum and have been reading it for a while now

So far, I have a book in my amazon shopping cart (still debating if I should be environmentally friendly and get the kindle version though I love paper books) and that is it so far.

I've been drooling over other people's pet spiders since I was a kid, and am hoping to purchase one or two once I've gone through the book a bit to narrow down my options a bit and make sure I'm ready to bring one home. I recently found out that my apartment allows them, so I'm extremely excited, but I hadn't done much research up until now because I thought I couldn't have one.

So far I haven't really even narrowed it down to what type I want. I'm looking at red knee, curly hair, pink toe, and rose hair so far, but I'm not nearly done looking, and like I said, I'm planning on getting my book before I make any major decisions. I'm also planning on reading more on here and around the web first.

In other news, I have two dogs and a husband.

 

[Enn49]

Hi Erin. I'd go for the B. albopilosum or smithi as first Ts. Although Rosies are recommended to beginners they can be moody and go on hunger strikes and Avics need very precise care.

 

[Therasoid]

Welcome Erin, to both the forum and the hobby.
I agree with Enn49's suggestions, especially the B. albopilosum, one of my favorites. Starting a collection with New World terrestrial species, IMO, is best. Once you have the basic husbandry skills at a comfortable level, then branch into NW arboreals.
Might I suggest a few others: Brachypelma sabulosum, Acanthoscurria insubtilis, Phrixotrichus scrofa or any of the Eauthlus species. All make good starter tarantulas.
Whatever you decide on getting, I wish you the best.

 

[Ghost]

Hi Erin,
Welcome to the forum and the hobby,I second getting a B.sabubsum,A.insubtils or P.scrofa for your first T as their a little bit different than what most people get for their first....

 

[tarantulaguy1994]

I would have to agree on what they said about the G. rosea aka roes hair. But I also have to say that if the A. avicularia aka pink toe is what you want to start with then do your research on them, but that was my first tarantula 3 years ago and she is very well. If you can not decide what to start with though I would lean to the B. smithi aka red knee, they are more hardy then the A. avicularia. They are also alot slower. The B. albopilosum is also a slower moving tarantula. But what you chose I sure you can do great with as long as you research on the tarantula before buying it.

 

[Peaceful Waterfall]

Thanks for the advice and recommendations! I actually really love getting recommendations, so I'm really glad to see some.

I'm hoping to find some of these locally so I can see them in person... so far I've only found a few sad looking G. rosea, but I'm going to look for some herp stores in the next few days. Also my book should be here in two days! I'm really excited about this.

 

[Enn49]

You'd do better to buy your T online from a breeder then you get what you pay for. Many pet stores don't know what they
are selling.

 

[tarantulaguy1994]

Yeah it is sad but it can often be very hard to find a health tarantula from a pet store. I understand wanting to buy one that you can see first. But if you go to pet center usa or jamies tarantula, you may be able to have them send you a photo of the tarantula first. It depend on where you live if you could wait you can go to a reptile expo and should be able to find one at a good price there.

 

[Peaceful Waterfall]

I'd been browsing Jamies for prices... wasn't sure about having them shipped in the heat, though. I might look for breeders, too. When I was hoping to find them in person, I didn't really mean I want to see the one I am buying, but more along the lines of being able to observe and compare breeds in person before making any decisions... though I guess I'll probably get as much from a picture and youtube video now that I think about it. I might see if any sort of reptile expo is coming this way, too. Thanks for the idea!

So many cool tarantulas to choose from... I wish I had started researching years ago when I couldn't have them so I'd have everything all planned out already. I had no idea there were so many types until last night.

 

[tarantulaguy1994]

You are very welcome.

 

[Peaceful Waterfall]

On my third day of internet research... At this point, I'm really hoping I can find a Euathlus sp. red somewhere online... I'm pretty set on owning one someday, at least, but maybe not for my first since all of the online vendors I've checked out seem to be out of them at the moment, so I'm thinking I might go a little more common to begin with unless something comes up.

[Edit] I've been looking at what suppliers have available and have found quite a few that look like they'd be good for me... Aphonopelma hentzi, Grammostola pulchripes, Eupalaestrus campestratus, Phrixotrichus scrofa, Brachypelma vagans, and am still looking at Brachypelma albopilosum. I'm hoping that I can narrow it down a bit more... they're all so cool. Wishing I could just get them all already

 

[Fleas]

Hi and welcome to the hobby my favorite that u mention is the b vagan I have all what you said besides the E sp red am getting 2 of them next week from a local. Jamie's been having E sp red for sell but they been going quick got to check the website all the time to catch one or you can send her a email other then that first choice reptile has one but bad reviews on them well good luck

 

[Peaceful Waterfall]

Hi and welcome to the hobby my favorite that u mention is the b vagan I have all what you said besides the E sp red am getting 2 of them next week from a local. Jamie's been having E sp red for sell but they been going quick got to check the website all the time to catch one or you can send her a email other then that first choice reptile has one but bad reviews on them well good luck

Thank you. I think I looked at First Choice Reptiles, but was kind of turned off from them since they don't really mention what you're buying (size/age, sex if old enough to tell), and I'd rather someone with good reviews. I think the first place I saw E. sp. red was Jamie's, but they were sold out I emailed a couple of dealers to see if they might have any coming up, so I'm just waiting on their replies (and my supplies and stuff) before I make my final decision on what I'm going to do.

May I ask what makes B. vagans your favorite (of the ones I listed, anyway)?