The Top 13 Beginner Tarantulas As Chosen By Keepers 

HAHAHAHAHAHA! I was hoping that people would like that! lol

I was the same for a moment 😂

ME TOO!!!!

Haha me too! Screenshot and sent to my friends! 😂🤘

Christopher Nolan will be calling you any day now.

That's awesome, Sherry! Grandmother of the year! :)

@@TomsBigSpiders agreed

That’s so awesome

Im your long lost grandson also

@@kirkvj8330 😂

Hahaha. What a cutie. That's awesome! And thank you!

Michael Hill thank you for this 💕🤓🤩 list!

Thank God a Bought a Curly Hair tarantula

Thank you

My god I Got Gooty Sapphire Ornamental

@@reyparkeanthonyvega2382 so you have chosen death? Haha, just kidding. The P. Met is an amazing T……just always show respect and know exactly where it is when opening the enclosure. P. Met bite is no joke. Mine is usually pretty docile but every once in a while she acts like an OBT and charges the tongs a foot away when cleaning her enclosure.

I bought my first gbb from the hamburg reptile show a couple weeks ago; it was a .75" juvenile in premolt and molted a few days ago! Sadly the abdominal skin was ripped to shreds.

Oh, man Quinn...I'm so sorry to hear that. Awwww... RIP Neptune. :(

Congrats, Jimothy! LOVE that species.

Sad because i have one and i love it. It must be a loss for you Quinn

@@jimothyj2638 Hamburg - Farmsen is a good spider expo. A lot of space in that ice rink and lots of friendly sellers (got my ggb there as well). I`m going to travel to Hannover on Sunday, also a good expo but really crowded. I`m hoping to pick up an idiothele mira, Ephepopus Murinus and maybe a couple of slings. :-)

Hahaha. I was wondering if folks would think that it didn't make it to the list. It was the overwhelming #1. Thanks!

It's albo

You are officially the first person to call me on that. Billie just read this to me while laughing. hahaha Thanks, Luis! :)

😂😂

o o o ohhoO o Oreo, whats in the middle, The white stuff!- werid Al

Thank you so much, Borja! I truly appreciate it. And your English is fantastic! :)

Are there any updates on your tarantulas? Hopefully they are happy and huge

All of them are super healthy, happy and have grown quite a bit! Except for my g pulchra... That one is healthy and happy but the growing... Not there yet hahaha specially in comparison with his neighbours, a Theraphosa blondi and a Phormictopus auratus 😁

@@borjagamarradelalamo2744 That's amazing! Glad to hear it's working out well for you!

Hahaha! I was hoping that folks would appreciate that! lol Thank you so much. This one took some effort to put together, so I'm glad that it's being well received! :)

I was very glad to see that one make it as well. That was a species that was not on my original list but that I wanted to include on any update!

Tarantula Focused subbed!

I used to be arachnophobic years ago, and was fascinated by them at the same time. It helped me to eventually get over my fear of spiders completely (eventually!). I'm so glad that I was able to help! Your English is perfect! And that's fantastic. Would you like to shoot me an email at tomsbigspiders@outlook.com ? Thank you!

Hi, Mike! Indeed! I truly appreciate that. It's been a tough school year, but the kids are great. Thank you!

Ha! Thanks so much, Meyer!

I agree, Laura...although they are still quite popular. I'll be posting a video of my Nicaraguan later today. :)

Hi, Courtney! Thank YOU for the kind words. :)

Thanks so much, Dan! :)

Thanks so much once again for helping me out. I truly appreciate it!!! I'm so glad that this is being well received after how much I spoke about it. haha. There was a point where I was almost reluctant to post it. lol And Avocado (Love the name!) did great!

Hey, Noah! Thanks so much, bud! Yeah, that's some of my favorite footage of anything I've captured. haha

Thank you so much! I'm working on something for Old Worlds. :)

Thank you so much!

Thanks so much, Damien! I'm glad that I got to revisit the topic in this way. It's SO much better not just being one person's opinion. :)

Thanks so much, Shawn! That's what a couple more years of experience with making the videos will do for you. haha Thanks so very much!

Thank you for commenting, Jon!

Congratulations, Katelijn! It's a beautiful species.

Awesome, Jeff! There are some really cool ones out there. :)

Thank you, Lea! :)

That's awesome, Mike. Thank you!

I LOVE that footage (which is why I keep using it. haha). She was a great mommy! :) Thanks!

I love Ts but even i was a little creeped out seeing that many tiny spiders. At that size, they are beyond harless to us but I guess it just conjures up my aversion to ants inside the house.

Hahaha! I think a lot of us started with that species. I got mine in 95, and I still have her. My girl was pretty chill overall. Avics are just gorgeous, especially the versi. I think it comes down to availability, price, and recognition. The D. diamantinensis, for example, is pricey and can be difficult to find here in the states. As for the other two species, they just aren't as well known. I AM working on a followup in which I'll talk about some of the other species that could make good beginners/intermediate spiders, and I'll have some of the ones you mention on it. Hahaha. Your sister is going to kill you. lol

Thank you so much, Vanessa! :)

Hey, Michael! Thanks so much, bud!

Great choice, Cody! I'm working on a beginner Old World video now. There are a few species that can make for good starters. Thanks again!

Honestly, that could easily be the #1. I just think that they are more expensive and more difficult to come by. That might have caused the lower rating.

@@TomsBigSpiders expensive but worth it 😁

Thank you so much, Lina! :) I truly appreciate it.

Thank you so very much! I appreciate that!

Congrats on your Curly Hair! They are such awesome spiders. And those Chilean flames grow soooo slowly. haha Thanks again!

Bahaahhahaha! No joke, in the original cut, I started by saying the number one beginner was P. murinus, or the OBT as a joke. Then I realized that some people probably wouldn't get it. The OBT had four votes! Bahahahaha! I'm already getting a few folks who are arguing the results. I don't think they realized that I just tallied them up! As always, thanks for commenting!

That could have been fun, but just have bunch of clips contradicting what you are saying would probably help get the joke across

My OBT is a pet hole, she's never postured or tried to escape. She just sits in her burrow and waits for food to show up.

@@TomsBigSpiders the OBT was actually my 3rd Tarantula, right after my 2 Lasiodora Parahybanas. It's fast but not defensive at all.

Bobbi Merritt yea the more I observe mine the more I disagree with other keepers saying how aggressive/defensive they are. Seriously no threat postures, no bolting, no signs of pissed off bad day nothing.... I keep mine with adequate substrate, she ( hopefully ) has several entrances/exits to her burrow... she is super comfortable either just hanging out in the open or inside her burrow.

Thank you!

Hey, Ed! I'm really glad that I found a way to revisit it. Thanks so much, bud!

Awesome species and one that actually got a few votes. They are STUNNING spiders! :)

Good for you,mine is quite skittish most of the time and big hair kicker,so i don´t even tried to handle her :D . My second T is Plesiopelma Iongisternale, tiny girl ,super chill :)

Thanks so much, Jeffrey! I REALLY wanted to revisit the beginner list idea, and this gave me the perfect avenue. I researched the heck out of the first one, but this time I opened it up to vote. I didn't want it to be just my opinion. Wow, she sounds like a trip! hahahah That's adorable! Thanks again!

She felt the vibrations from the sound of your voice. ;) My juvie B albo has come directly at me like that before (while I was sitting next to its enclosure) it was kind of creepy but in a really cool way.

Thank you so much, Kim! This was a lot of fun to do. And thank you so much for your very kind words! :)

Thanks so much, Sian! :) And you're most welcome! Thank YOU for taking the time to comment! :)

Hi, Rami! I'm glad it got included as well, as I didn't have it on my original lists (and it was one I wanted to add). For folks who don't mind a bit of attitude, they can be great. As for the defensiveness, I speak to a lot of new hobbyists, and many will become intimidated by a defensive tarantula, especially if it's their first spider ever. This can turn people off to the hobby. I've been approached by folks over the years who are trying to give away their tarantulas because they have become scared of them. Although some of us don't mind, a defensive tarantula can make or break some folks.

Thank you so much, Lipton! I agree with the B. albopilosum! As for the B. emilia, it got a few votes, but one of the issues with it (at least here in the states) is availability. We get slings for sale every once in a while, but they quickly sell out. They are also quite pricey, which can be a deterrent. I agree, though...that species could make for an awesome beginner. The GBB thing shocked the heck out of me. haha. I'm with you!

@@TomsBigSpiders You are absolutely right, a species that is quite rare and expensive might not be the ideal entry point in the hobby. I always feel like B. emilia is stuck in limbo between the ever popular hamorii, and B. boehmei, who seems to hold the crown when it comes to straight up black and orange species… But yeah, if available at a reasonable price, I can't recommend this species enough !

I would LOVE to have an L. striatus. :) Thank you so much! :)

That's awesome! Thanks so much, Desmond!

Hahahaha! Yeah, a spider that size can be quite intimidating! :)

I used to be afraid of snakes but my son wanted one. He was seven so I knew I would have to take care of it. My cousin raised king snakes and I got a baby from one of his clutches. It was the size of an earthworm. By the time he was 6’ I was totally fine with snakes. Same with the spiders, I now have 3 different types of so called bird eaters

You are missing out so hard lol

Its not the size of the spooder it's their disposition. T. Blondis are huge but can be incredibly gentle and calm

Yeah, that one is easily the most recommended. Congrats on your new spider!

Hey, Shanti! Thanks so much!

Thanks so much, Christopher! I really appreciate it. :)

Hahaha! That's actually a hysterical idea! lol

YES! And I love your screen name! I'll have to wear my "Fulci Lives" t-shirt in a future video!

I love you even more now lol. Yeah that is a Rotten Cotton design and I believe and the late , Chas Balun, designed it. If you like monster masks, check out my site www.creaturecrypt.com and follow us on IG @creature_crypt_masks. I think you’ll like my stuff.

@@fulcifan6946 Rotten Cotton! YES! I was trying to figure out the name. I have a bunch of shirts from them. I used to go to the horror expos, and they always had the coolest t-shirts there. And I'll go check out the site right now. Thanks!

Yeah, I will definitely be doing something like this again. Welcome back to the hobby! :) Thanks, Ben!

Thank you, Nathan! :)

Hi, Louise! When I got my first tarantula 24 years ago, I was terrified of spiders. It took me years to get over my fear completely (and house spiders too the longest!). haha That's an awesome story! The first I ever held was a H. chilensis. It was quite a profound experience. The fact is, temperament can differ from specimen to specimen and even from molt to molt. Chilean roses are either really laid back or a bit crazy. The species I've found that it almost ALWAYS tame is the H. chilenis. Those little guys will crawl right into your hand. And by get them out to hold them, what do you mean?

Tom Moran i think I’d be the unlucky buggar to get a crazy one 🤣 since my comment on here i am swaying more to the mexican red knee! What do you think? I will check out the other one you mentioned 😃 .. in terms of people never getting them out yes that’s what i meant. I’ve seen most on here limit the handling to a minimum if at all. However i would like to get mine out every once in a while.

Hahahaha! Get them all! lol :)

@@TomsBigSpiders Yes! ♡

I want ever Specie

Thanks so much, Toni! I'm glad that I could finally pull it off. lol And that is AWESOME! Yay! :)

Thank you so much! :) I got my first years ago in part to get over my arachnophobia, so that means a lot! :)

Not a bad one to start with! :)

Depends on how prepared you are. Myself, Im currently looking for my first one. I have read lots about Ts, best recommended are most from Mexico.

Hahahaha. Good point!

Thank you so much! Yeah, I did one of these years ago, but this time around I wanted to hear what others thought (that way, it wouldn't just be one person's opinion). The G. porteri was my first, and I still have her after 24 years. :) Hopefully, it helps some folks out. Thanks again!

Thank you so very much, Mary! I hope that this helps you with your decision. :)

Thanks so much, Sam! Yeah, I wanted to open this up, as experience can vary from keeper to keeper. For example, my A. chalcodes are a bit nuts, but some say theirs are totally laid back. I figured this way, it would be general consensus. And so sorry to hear about your G. porteri! :(

So true loved my A hentzi dearly.

They got a few votes, and I love mine. I think that there just isn't the same awareness for that species as there is for the A. chalcodes! :)

@@TomsBigSpiders I'm little miffed that a Grammostola didn't take top place, but then again you can't expect great taste from the plebs. :p

My B. albo is also a devil spawn! I love her dearly but she's an asshole lol

I'm glad that it's finally done! I spent close to 11 hours on it Saturday alone! haha

Thank you so much, Shauna! Considering that I got my first tarantula in the 90s partially to get over my fear of spiders, I totally appreciate that. And glad to hear that your B. albo Nicaraguan is laid back. The A. seemanni was my second tarantula ever! haha Thanks!

I was SO glad that I finally got some good shots of mine. I agree, Joyce...they're stunning.

@@TomsBigSpiders I will live vicariously. If GBB's can live up to 20 years, I am not even sure I will BE HERE for that much longer. At my age you try not to look too far into the future. But if I could be sure to get a male of the AZ Blonde (They are all over the desert) and there is no restriction on capture and keeping at the moment. But I am gettin a bit long in the tooth for that. I am happy with our dog. And maybe something l like a lizard. But anything else I may not be able to maintain myself. This has to be family affair or it won't work. I do love your videos. They are my way of "keeping" a T. Hugs to your and your amazing wife, JJ

I was hoping people would like that. lol :)

Thanks so much, Darren! :)

Thank you so much! I'm so glad that this was helpful!

Thank you! :)

I'm so glad that this was helpful! Thank you!

Thank you!

Thanks, Tony! Yeah, lots of votes for them!

Hey, Dan! Thanks again for helping to bail me out! haha I truly appreciate it. :) And hopefully Marvel doesn't go the Lindsay Lohan route. haha

Thank you so much, David! And I'm so sorry to hear that. My first was a rose hair as well, and she's getting quite old, too. Thanks again!

Thanks, Meg...I really appreciate it! I don't want to come across as a cocky jerk. lol

Hello, Jennifer! Thank you so much! The Brazilian blacks are stunning.

Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I'm so glad that you found this to be helpful. Good luck with your research! :)

It was a lot of fun to see what people chose. Thank you!

Hi, Dave! Congrats on your Arizona blonde (and your new slings)! Thanks!

Sorry for the delay, bud...I thought that I had replied! Thanks so much!

Again, Ian...thank you so much!!!

Well, thank you so much! I really appreciate that! And I'm so sorry to hear about your chaco. :( I'm glad that the others are doing well!

Thank you so much! :)

Thank you so much, John. I was VERY excited to do this, especially as it's not just my opinion on the subject. And I definitely agreed with B. albo being number one. I'm glad that others felt the same way. Thanks again, John!

I'm so glad that it was helpful, Will! Thanks!

Thank you, Matt!

Thanks so much. And, dude...so was I! hahaha

Wow, Judy...I truly appreciate that. I put a lot of time into this one, so it means a lot!!! :)

@@TomsBigSpiders You're very welcome and the compliment is very deserved. If I had an award I would give it to you. LOL

I'm so glad that you found it helpful, Karina...and thanks!!!

Hello, Lauren! I'm so glad that you found this useful!

Hahaha. :)

Thank you! And they truly are!

I'm so glad...thanks!

@@TomsBigSpiders now I just have to buy my house because parents won’t be happy with a spider lol

I find that so cool that you came over from the podcast! It's funny, as I get some folks that pop over here because they wanted to see what I looked likel. lol And believe me, I understand about the misinformation and how difficult it can be to ask a question when you get snotty answers in return. That drives me nuts. Wow, and thank you so much for the praise. That truly means a lot. Comments like this make it all worth while! Thanks again, Erica!

Tom Moran No problem! I absolutely love arachnids and especially spiders. Every ounce of my free time is basically devoted to learning about Tarantulas and other spiders. I’ve learned more from your podcasts and reading through the forums on Arachnaboards (also from listening to your podcasts) than I’ve learned in three months of sitting through online care sheets (which now I understand why hobbyists and enthusiasts are kind of “turned off” from those considering I’ve found none to be consistent, especially when they’re referring to humidity and temperature, which now I know is also not super important in the hobby, especially for terrestrials). If I say something wrong, sorry, still have a lot to learn. 😅 Matter of fact, I’m listening to one of your podcasts now and it made me remember. When I very first became interested in tarantulas, I posted on an Entomologist FB group looking for keepers to chat with, websites, what have you. A guy came on and said to some of my questions “Hey, if you don’t know the answer to these questions, you shouldn’t keep T’s.” I was utterly heartbroken. Luckily, I’ve befriended a guy who’s super knowledgeable about insects and spiders. He does conferences and whatnot and this is actually his FB group. He comments and says “I can guarantee whatever animal she ever acquires will be taken care of to the best of her abilities. She’s just trying to find information.” After that I’ve more so been reading forums. I follow about 30 entomology, arachnid, tarantula groups on FB. Your voice is always playing (😂) and now I’m on arachnaboards. But I refuse to get a Tarantula, bring it home, it’s enclosure isn’t setup, I’m not caring for it properly and it pass (although I know this happens and if it’s happened to someone reading this, I’m sorry and I’m definitely not downing you! ❤️) Anyways, I ramble. 😂 I’m a stay at home mom so talking about spiders and having human interaction is like striking gold to me lol. But please, continue doing these videos, podcasts and blogs! I would still be so utterly lost in this hobby had I not stumbled across your podcasts. I also think it’s awesome you’re very “don’t just take my word for it.” But keep up the amazing work! 👍🏼 And thank you again for all the information (and giving it to a community without being condescending!) I almost gave up on my love for bugs and spiders due to people being so snarky and hateful. So it’s always so amazing to find people who are not only super knowledgeable but who are also kind. ❤️

That's awesome! Good luck!