"I'm getting my first tarantula. What kind should i get? (I don't want a boring brown one!)"
Tarantulas display an impressive range of colours and markings, so "beginner" tarantula doesn't have to mean "boring". These species are all beautiful display tarantulas, but are also fairly easy to look after and non-aggressive.
Images are courtesy of http://www.freenaturepictures.com
Avicularia metallica (Metallic Pink-toe)
This pretty and fairly calm tarantula grows to a size of 5-6" and ranges in colour from grey to bright blue. It is arboreal (tree climbing) which means it needs lots of height to its enclosure, but doesn't really care about floor space. You should also include something to climb, like a real or artificial plant. Avicularias need MUCH more ventilation than any other species, as they live in windy, well ventilated treetops in the wild and so have developed no tolerance for stagnancy. For this reason, you should not get a baby Avicularia (spiderling) until you are experienced in raising spiderlings as they are very easy to kill by accident. Buy this species as a juvenile or adult.
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Avicularia versicolor (Martilles Pink-toe)
This pretty and fairly calm tarantula grows to a size of 5-6". It is arboreal (tree climbing) which means it needs lots of height to its enclosure, but doesn't really care about floor space. You should also include something to climb, like a real or artificial plant. Avicularias need much more ventilation than any other species, as they live in windy, well ventilated treetops in the wild and so have developed no tolerance for stagnancy. For this reason, you should not get a baby Avicularia (spiderling) until you are experienced in raising spiderlings as they are very easy to kill by accident. Buy this species as a juvenile or adult.
Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Red-knee)
This tarantula has a good reputation for good reason, Growing to 5-6 inches, It is one of the most docile species available. It is terrestrial, meaning it wants a tank at least three times its outstretched legspan in floor space. Terrestrials don't need much height as a fall is very dangerous to them, just enough space for the tarantula to flip over onto their back is ideal.
Note: Be careful with this species as alot of tarantulas' english names sound like "mexican red knee" including "mexican red rump" (b. vagans) "mexican red leg" (b. emilia) and "mexican flame leg" (b.boehmei) - The last of which is a cheeky escape artist that is prone to kicking itchy, irritant urticating hairs. They all look quite similar too, so check for "Brachypelma smithi" species name. ANY supplier good enough to be worth buying your tarantula from will know the species name.
Brachypelma klaasi (Mexican Pink Beauty)
This species grows to 5-6 inches and is the closest to hand-friendly a tarantula can get (Disclaimer: I do not reccomend handling venemous creatures, but I understand that people will and sometimes have to). It is terrestrial, meaning it wants a tank at least three times its outstretched legspan in floor space. Terrestrials don't need much height as a fall is very dangerous to them, just enough space for the tarantula to flip over onto their back is ideal.
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Grammostola rosea (Chilean Rose Hair)
This species is a clear-cut favourite for beginner tarantulas. It comes in two colour forms (copper-red and pink-grey, though the pink-grey form is slowly being renamed to "Grammostola porteri"). It is terrestrial, meaning it wants a tank at least three times its outstretched legspan in floor space. Terrestrials don't need much height as a fall is very dangerous to them, just enough space for the tarantula to flip over onto their back is ideal.