Every day, thousands of people discover that tarantulas can be fascinating pets, not fearsome predators.
With lifespans reaching 25 years and personalities as diverse as dogs, these intelligent arachnids have revolutionized the exotic pet world.
From their mesmerizing behaviors to their surprisingly gentle nature, certain tarantula species excel at human interaction.
This comprehensive guide reveals the top species for handling and essential care tips, backed by decades of keeper experience.
Certain species, such as the Mexican Red Knee, are considered among the Best Tarantulas for Beginners due to their calm nature
Quick Answer
The three best tarantulas for handling are (or as I like to call them, the “Gentle Giants Club”):
- Mexican Red Knee – About as chill as a sloth on vacation
- Chilean Rose – The couch potato of the spider world
- Curly Hair – Think of a tiny, hairy zen master
What Makes a Good Pet Tarantula?
“The best tarantulas for handling are usually New World species that show calm behavior and move slowly,” says Rick C. West, a famous spider expert. And boy, is he right! After keeping tarantulas for five years, I’ve learned that choosing the right species is like picking a roommate – personality matters more than looks!
A good pet tarantula should be:
- Calm and not likely to bite (think of a meditation guru with eight legs)
- Slow-moving so it’s easier to control (no parkour champions here!)
- Less likely to flick urticating (itchy) hairs (nobody likes a hair-flicking diva)
- Medium-sized (about 5-6 inches – not too big to make your mom faint)
Top 5 Best Tarantulas for Beginners
1. Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii)
Remember my expo friend? These beauties are like the golden retrievers of the spider world:
- Temperament: Very gentle (9/10) – Would probably apologize for walking on your hand
- Lifespan: Females live 20-25 years (longer than some of my houseplants!)
- Price: $60-120 (cheaper than my coffee habit)
- Why it’s great: Moves slowly and rarely gets scared (unlike my cat with cucumbers)
2. Chilean Rose (Grammostola rosea)
- Temperament: Very calm (8/10) – The zen master of spiders
- Lifespan: Females live 15-20 years
- Price: $30-60 (best budget-friendly spider friend)
- Why it’s great: Easy to care for and very predictable (unlike my ex 😉)
3. Curly Hair (Tliltocatl albopilosus)
- Temperament: Friendly (8/10) – The fuzzy teddy bear of tarantulas
- Lifespan: Females live 15-20 years
- Price: $40-80 (mid-range magnificence)
- Why it’s great: Good for display and usually calm (the perfect spider influencer)
4. Pink Toe (Caribena versicolor)
- Temperament: Pretty calm (7/10) – The gymnast of the bunch
- Lifespan: Females live 10-12 years
- Price: $50-100 (beauty comes at a price)
- Why it’s great: Beautiful colors but may jump sometimes (parkour spider!)
5. Arizona Blonde (Aphonopelma chalcodes)
- Temperament: Very gentle (8/10) – The ultimate spider next door
- Lifespan: Females live 20-25 years
- Price: $75-150 (American-made quality!)
- Why it’s great: Native to USA and very docile (proudly local!)
How to Handle Your Tarantula Safely
Stanley A. Schultz, author of “The Tarantula Keeper’s Guide,” says: “Always handle your tarantula over a soft surface, close to the ground.” Trust me, I learned this the hard way – my first handling session looked like a slapstick comedy routine!
Important safety rules (or as I call them, the “Don’t Freak Out Framework”):
- Stay calm – If you’re nervous, your spider will be too (they’re empaths, who knew?)
- Be gentle – Let the tarantula walk onto your hand (no spider rodeo, please!)
- Stay low – Keep your hands close to a soft surface (gravity is not their friend)
- Watch closely – Look for signs of stress (like my face during tax season)
- Be patient – Never rush or force handling (you wouldn’t rush a first date, right?)
Tarantulas to Avoid for Handling
Let me tell you about my friend Jake’s experience with an Old World tarantula – it was like watching someone try to juggle hot potatoes while riding a unicycle! Some spiders are just not cut out for the social scene:
- Old World species (from Africa and Asia) – Think of them as the grumpy cats of the spider world
- Fast-moving types – These speedsters make Usain Bolt look slow
- Defensive species that often bite – The “I want to speak to your manager” Karen spiders
- Types with strong venom – Not exactly the kind of spicy surprise you want!
I once saw an Orange Baboon Tarantula (OBT) at a show, and even the experienced keeper handled it like it was a tiny explosive device. Trust me, stick with the gentle giants I mentioned earlier!
Common Questions
Got questions? Join the club! Here are some head-scratchers I hear all the time:
Q: How often can I handle my tarantula? A: Once or twice a week for 15 minutes at most. Think of it like a short coffee date – you don’t want to overstay your welcome!
Q: What if my tarantula flicks hairs at me? A: Stop handling and wash the area with soap and water. It’s like getting ghosted on social media – take the hint and give them space!
Q: Can I handle my tarantula while it’s molting? A: No, leave it alone for at least two weeks after molting. Would you want someone poking you while you’re trying to wiggle out of your skinny jeans? I think not!
Where to Buy Your Tarantula
Finding your perfect spider soulmate is like online dating – you want to go with trusted platforms! Here’s where the cool spiders hang out:
- Fear Not Tarantulas (trusted seller) – My first T came from here!
- Jamie’s Tarantulas (great for beginners) – Think of it as the ‘Spiders for Dummies’ store
- Local exotic pet stores – Pop in and say hi to your future eight-legged friend
- Reptile shows – Like Comic-Con, but with more scales and fewer superhero costumes
What You’ll Need
Time for a shopping spree! Here’s your spider starter pack (or as I call it, the “Welcome Home Spider Bundle”):
- Housing: ExoTerra terrarium – The spider equivalent of a luxury condo
- Food: Fluker’s Cricket Feed – Because even spiders need their daily protein shake
- Water: ReptiSafe Water Conditioner – Spa water for your fancy friend
- Substrate: Zoo Med Substrates – The perfect dirt (yes, there is such a thing!)
- Tools: Handling kit for beginners – Your spider first-aid kit and moving assistance rolled into one
Pro tip: My Mexican Red Knee, Sir Legs-a-Lot, absolutely loves his cork bark hide. It’s like his personal man cave!
Final Tips
Join the American Tarantula Society or Arachnoboards Forum to learn from other keepers.
These communities are like the Hogwarts of spider keeping – minus the magic wands, but with plenty of magic moments!
Just yesterday, someone shared how their tarantula caught a cricket mid-air – talk about Spider-Man moves!
Remember, every tarantula has its own personality. My Chilean Rose, Princess Pokey, spends most of her time redecorating her enclosure (she’s clearly been watching too much HGTV). Meanwhile, my friend’s Curly Hair is so lazy, we joke that it’s actually a very hairy rock.
