Which would be the best choice?

[SteveJor]

Which would be the best choice for the first time tarantula owner with kids that would want to be around it?
I have narrowed it down to these choices with what I have found out so far about each one so when I go to the WP show next month, I can pick one up.
I am more interested in it being a generally docile T that doesn't normally kick hairs other than the most colorful (otherwise I would go with a cobalt blue ).
Any first hand experience and suggestions for which to get would be very helpful.


Avicularia mettallica (metallic pinktoe) - fast but usually docile and colorful

Brachypelma smithi (Mexican red knee) - colorful, usually docile, but likes to kick hairs

Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian black) - docile but not very colorful

Avicularia avicularia (pinktoe) - fast but usually docile but not as colorful as the metallic pinktoes

Grammostola rosea (Chilean rose hair) - usally docile but not very colorful

[Reptscue]

2 out of my 3 Roseas are not that friendly, due to them being wild caught. Most are wild caught. I would but a sling if you choose a rosea.
Pink toes are pretty jumpy(both of mine are)so think about that with kids screaming... Oh and if you like the metallica, you'll love the Antilles PTs.
I love the Brazilian blacks. A very pretty black Tarantula, but I have no experience with the species yet, but plan to.

Keep in mind that all New World tarantulas can flick hairs.

I'd also look into Destert Blondes, Curly hairs, Chaco Giant Golden-stripes, and Texas Tans.

[Capone]

Our Rose Hair is not friendly at all lol... We got her at a show from LLL Reptiles... Love her just the same and am looking into a second T!!!!!

[Reptscue]

My female Rosea is my avitar... She does her threat display at a drop of a hat.

[JuliusSqueezer]

cb rose hairs are easy going nonaggressive and slow moving. Not all that amzzing colorwise but can usually be bought for as low as 8 bucks for unsexed and no more than 20 for known females....so the price is right anyway. I like em.

mexican redknees ...pretty much the same but much prettier...only downside I guess is cost...but if you get a female, what's 100 bucks or so for 20 years of pet spider? Out of all the tarantulas, I think they are the prettiest and because they are so often used in movies and TV...kind of a nice recognizable representitive species for the non-arachno people that you might want to get acquanted with them. It's hard not to trust a spider that Gilligan and Elvira let crawl around on them...ya know?

Pink toes, not really known for biting but not really known for sitting still either. They are flighty and tend to get dropped a lot...typically not healthy for a large spider to be dropped.

[Spider Tyrant]

I would not go with the Metallica or the Brazilian Black. Both of these seem to run more expensive, and Metallicas can go up to $250 at times. I dont mean to be offensive when I point out that you are new to the hobby, and an accident could cost you (literally) quite a bit.

[Gaujo]

What is hair flicking?