Thinking about a tarantula?

Question

I haven't decided if I want t tarantula or a ball python. Which one would you choose? Why? If you go tarantulas which breed do you prefer? Just curious.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I own a chilean rose tarantula. I have also owned a ball python. I prefer the tarantula since they are a little less expensive to house and somewhat easier to maintain. They are also longer lived. Ball pythons can live anywhere from ten to fifteen years some to twenty. Tarantulas depending on species and gender can live between ten to twenty years. Arboreal tarantulas live between ten to fifteen and burrowing live fifteen to twenty. I prefer the chilean rose as a starter tarantula simply because they are easier to adjust to. I have owned mine for three years I bought her as a sub-adult just before she reached sexual maturity. This specie is very calm and even tempered, mine is somewhat hyper so is in a fifteen gallon tank which runs about $32. They do have owner recognition and can be very friendly. Snakes require a good bit more care and more expensive housing. The average price for a snake terrarium can run up to $400 depending on breed. For more information on care and feeding of tarantulas I recommend the book by Jerry G. Walls: The guide to owning a tarantula.  This is a very accurate and informative book. You could also ask your local petshop the differing care and feeding for pythons. The internet tends  to have so much misinformation that the book i mentioned is your safest bet, it's recommended by the american tarantula society. Hope I've helped somewhat with your decision. Either way, it's a long-term commitment so consider your decision carefully you are goin to have a wonderful no matter which way you decide to go and you're gonna be friends for a VERY long time! :)

Answer 2

Ugh tarantulas....spiders aren't so fun.  You can't really do much with spiders other than watch them.  I guess you could hold them a bit, but they aren't what I would call "snuggly."

I'd choose a ball python if I had to choose between the two.  Snakes are so cool and they act like they are "hugging" you when you hold them.  Snakes can eventually get on a schedule of feeding once a week which is nice if you have to go on vacation.

Either way, make sure you really do your research on both pets.  Balls can live a very long time, the longest on record being 48 years http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html.  Balls can grow quite large (4-6 ft) requiring a very large aquarium.  They also should be fed only pre-killed prey.  Tarantulas can live long lives, though females live quite a bit longer.  http://www.earthlife.net/chelicerata/tar...

Both require going out every week or so to pick up food for them to eat.  Snakes have the benefit of being able to freeze prekilled prey and thaw before feeding.

If you do have to leave, keep in mind that neither pet is very likable by the general population.  To get someone to feed your pet crickets or dead baby mice might be hard.  I had a lizard that didn't get fed for a week because the person I had entrusted to feed my guy decided that crickets were "gross."

Make sure you check out your local city regulations as some of them have restrictions on types of snakes.  Also check out local animal shelters/rescue groups for the pet of your choice.  They cost about the same as a pet store, but your money will go toward saving other animals.  You'll also give one a good new home!

There are some great sites to check out to learn more:

http://www.anapsid.org/ball.html

http://www.tarantulas.com/care.asp'

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/pythons/a...

Hope that helps!