Best Tarantulas for First Time Owners

Of the 800 plus species of Tarantulas, these are the most common for a first time owner.

Desert Blonde Tarantula (aka - Mexican Blonde)
Scientific Name: Aphonopelma chalcodes
Size: Leg span up to 6 inches.
Life Span: 20 years for females; males 2-3 years.
Housing: 5-10 gallon tank is suitable.
Width: 2-3 times leg span.
Height: Equal to the leg span.
3 inches of peat moss, soil, or vermiculite as flooring.
Wood, cork bark, or half a flower pot for shelter.
Temperature: 75-80 F (24-27 C)
Humidity: 65-70%
Feeding: Crickets and other large insects - pesticide free.
An occasional pinky mouse for adults.
Temperament: Slightly more aggressive than other beginner Tarantulas.
Notes: Long-lived, but slow growing species.

Chilean Rose Tarantula
Scientific Name: Grammostola rosea
AKA: Chilean Common; Chilean Fire; Chilean Rose Haired; Chilean Flame
Size: Leg span of 4.5 - 5.5 inches.
Life Span: 15 years for females; males 2-3 years.
Housing: 5-10 gallon tank is suitable.
Width: 2-3 times the leg span.
Height: As tall as the spider's leg span.
Foor: 2-3 inches of peat moss, soil, or vermiculite.
Wood, cork bark, or half of a small clay flower pot for shelter.
Temperature: 70-85 F (21-30 C)
Humidity: 60-70%
Feeding: Crickets and other large insects - pesticide free).
An occasional pinky mouse for full grown spiders.
Temperament: Docile and calm.
Notes: Ideal for beginners. Hardy, docile, inexpensive, easy to care for.

Mexican Red knee Tarantula
Scientific Name: Brachypelma smithi
Size: Leg span of 5 - 5.5 inches.
Life Span: 15-25 years for females; 2-3 years for males.
Housing: 5-10 gallon tank is suitable.
Width: 2-3 times leg span.
Height: As tall as leg span.
Floor: 2-3 inches of peat moss, soil, or vermiculite.
Wood, cork bark, or half of a small clay flower pot for a shelter.
Temperatue: 75-80 F (24-30 C)
Humidity: 60-75%
Feeding: Crickets and other large insects - pesticide free.
An occasional pinky mouse for adults.
Temperament: Docile and calm.
Notes: The "classic" pet tarantula. Very popular due to its beauty.
Good temperament and long life span.

Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula
Scientific Name: Aphonopelma seemani
Size: 4 - 4.5 inches
Life Span: 15-20 for females; 2-3 years for males.
Housing: 5-10 gallon tank is suitable.
Width: 2-3 times wider than leg span.
Height: As tall as leg span.
Floor: 3-4 inches of peat moss, soil, or vermiculite.
Wood, cork bark, or half of a small clay flower pot for shelter.
Temperature: 70-85 F (21-30 C)
Humidity: 75-80%
Feeding: Crickets and other large insects - pesticide free.
Occasional pinky mouse for larger Tarantulas.
Temperament: Docile, but can move very fast.

Mexican Redleg Tarantulas
Scientific Name: Brachypelma emilia
Size: Up to 5-6 inches.
Life Span: To 30 years for females; males considerably shorter.
Housing: 5-10 gallon tank is suitable.
Width: 2-3 times leg span of the spider.
Height: As tall as leg span.
Floor: 2-3 inches of peat moss, soil, or vermiculite.
Wood, cork bark, or half of a small clay flower pot for shelter.
Temperature: 75-85 F (24-30 C)
Humidity: 65-70%
Feeding: Crickets and other large insects – pesticide free.
Larger Tarantulas can have an occasional pinkie mouse.
Temperament: Docile, but can be skittish.

Curly Hair Tarantula (aka Wooly Tarantula)
Scientific Name: Brachypelma albopilosum
Size: Leg span of 5-5.5 inches.
Life Span: 3-30 for females; males much shorter.
Housing: 5-10 gallon tank is suitable.
Width: 2-3 times Leg span.
Height: As tall as leg span.
Floor: 2-3 inches of peat moss, soil, or vermiculite.
Wood, cork bark, or half of a small clay flower pot for shelter.
Temperature: 75-85 F (24-30 C)
Humidity: 75-85%
Feeding: Crickets and other large insects - pesticide free.
Occasional pinky mouse for larger spiders.
Temperament: Docile and calm.