What Tarantula would be a good beginner pet and good for handling/"playing"?

Question

I want to buy a pet tarantula, and it'd be my first time buying one, and i really want to handle a tarantula and like have it crawl on my hand...but I can't find any beginner tarantula that is actually "safe" or good for handling with, does anybody know of some?

Answer 1

Different hobbyists will give different advice.  Some will say no tarantulas really should be handled, others say you can handle any of them.  Obviously though, some of them are easier than others.  The dangers of handling are really more for the tarantula than for the owner.  Even a 10" drop could mean a fatal rupture of the exoskeleton, which can rarely be healed and will cause the tarantula to slowly bleed to death.  Also, no tarantula *likes* to be handled, they just tolerate it at best.  I have seen people handle the most defensive of tarantula species, but it take a lot of practice.  If you are nervous, you could make your tarantula nervous too, and it may try to dash off your hand or up your arm.

The number one beginner tarantula is the Chilean Rose (Grammostola rosea).  They are docile and more durable spiders than most others, as they require less than most other species.  

I also suggest getting a book to read up on taking care of tarantulas.  The ultimate guide many hobbyists call their "bible" is  "The Tarantula Keepers Guide" by Stan and Marguerite Schultz.  It very detailed and full of information on the tarantula hobby and tarantulas themselves.  You might have to order it, as most book stores will not have it on stock.

Here are some good online reads on picking out a tarantula and getting started with one;

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthre...

http://www.arachnopets.com/tarantulas/tc...

List of caresheets of different commonly kept tarantulas with a 1-10 rating on difficulty (chilean rose being a 3);

http://www.arachnopets.com/tarantulas/tc...