'starter' tarantula

hi everyone
what would be a relatively long lived, docile species of tarantula that can be easily obtained from most exotic pet shops?
also, what special needs ie temperature, humidity, terrarium size does it need?
thanks,
tom
ps: roughly how much are they £

best person to talk to is peloquin

thanks bex, pm d them

+1 Just don't let him put you off B. smithi (joking of course, I'm a noob in comparison)

I say anything Brachypelma, Grammostola or Aphonopelma (Only have experience with these genus)

My first T was a Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco golden knee) and I'd recommend these to anyone, it's so calm, won't even flick a hair.

As for price, all depends on size and species, I don't think they're that expensive though for what you get.

the curly hair i got as a freebie from him is well nice maybe one of them be a good starter? (i know nothing about T's btw lol)

does anybody know what flicking hairs is? it seems something to do with the sting in nettles, is it associated with the nasty t's?

i think all new world T's can flick hairs from their abdomen when freatend or just defending their territory, this can itch like mad depending on your reaction to them, not just the ones known for being aggresive

old world T's bite (i think correct me if im wrong im just learning about T's)

right, i was reading that it's the same hairs (uticating)(sp?) that are in stinging nettles. i guess it would be the same.

basically they are barbed hairs that are loosely attatched to the spiders arse on the New World (Americas) species and a couple of Old World (Africa) ones.
They are the spider's first line of defence against attackers. The spider will turn and run and flick a cloud of hairs up using it's back legs rubbing it's abdomen.
The hairs are inhaled by predators or lodge in the eyes/ skin and they itch like mad.
If they get in the eye it's VERY painful.
You can also end up developing an allergic reaction to them after a while and I know quite a few people wh've given spiders up because they cant stand the itch. Most species are ok but some (nasty smithi/ bohemei/ blondi type crap) will flick at very little provocation.
I have an adult female bohemei here who hardly ever gets fed simply because she turns into a cloud of tiny "Mark-seeking-javelins" every time I move her lid.

Peloquin wrote:

I have an adult female bohemei here who hardly ever gets fed simply because she turns into a cloud of tiny "Mark-seeking-javelins" every time I move her lid.

hahaha that will teach her

maybe invest in a hazmat suit of sorts lol?

The worst of it is, a mate came down and was looking at her, he has a few spiders but has never owned a Flickypelma bohemie.
"Have her" says I
"Cant, skint" says mate
"Dont be stupid, just have it, I hate it"
"Cant, it's £50 worth of spider"
"Tell you what, have it or I throw it out the window"
"Ok then mate, cheers. I got no room at mine just yet though, can you hold it here for a couple of months for me?"

Oh balls. Give it away and it's STILL here.

@ pelo

An OBT might be your best bet if you like steep learning curves

At least they dont flick hairs, which might ruin your arachnid experience. It did for me, years ago! Not that fond of new world species just because of that. I'd rather get bit than to have rash everytime I open their lids..