Imagine petting a fuzzy spider the size of your palm—and feeling calm instead of terrified.
Many tarantula species are surprisingly gentle, defying their scary reputation.
While temperaments vary widely among the 900+ tarantula species worldwide, several stand out for their docile nature.
This guide reveals the eight most beginner-friendly tarantulas with exceptional temperaments, perfect for new keepers.
Before bringing home your first pet spider, check out this Tarantula for beginners guide to ensure you choose a docile and easy-to-care-for species.
https://zooawesome.com/wild-pets/from-scared-to-spider-parent-best-tarantulas-for-beginners-expert-guide/
What Makes a Tarantula “Docile”?
A docile tarantula:
- Stays calm when you’re near
- Rarely shows threat poses
- Doesn’t kick hairs often
- Moves slowly
- Has a mild feeding response
My friend Jake describes his docile tarantula as “basically a fuzzy potato with legs.” They’re that chill!
Tom Moran, a well-known tarantula expert, says: “Temperament is the number one thing new keepers should think about when picking their first tarantula. A calm spider makes learning so much easier.”
New World Tarantulas (from North and South America) are usually more beginner-friendly than Old World Tarantulas (from other places). New World tarantulas kick itchy hairs when scared, while Old World tarantulas are more likely to bite.
Top 8 Tarantulas with Gentle Temperaments
1. Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra)
Temperament rating: 9.5/10
Handling: Excellent
Care: Easy but slow-growing
Price: $100-200
The Brazilian Black is the king of good-natured tarantulas. They almost never show defensive behavior. In a survey, 92% of keepers said their Brazilian Black was “never defensive.”
I nicknamed mine “Midnight”—she’s so relaxed that she once sat on my book while I read for an hour! Talk about a literal bookworm (or book-spider?).
“If I could only recommend one species to beginners, it would be the Brazilian Black. They’re like the golden retrievers of the tarantula world.” – Rick West, tarantula researcher
2. Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola pulchripes)
Temperament rating: 9.2/10
Handling: Excellent
Care: Medium difficulty
Price: $50-100
The Chaco Golden Knee has a very relaxed nature. They grow bigger than Brazilian Blacks and have beautiful gold stripes on their legs. They rarely kick hairs and have a very mild-mannered disposition.
My cousin’s Chaco Golden Knee, “Goldie,” is so calm she practically needs a tiny coffee mug that says “World’s Most Chilled Arachnid.”
3. Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii)
Temperament rating: 9.0/10
Handling: Very Good
Care: Easy but very slow-growing
Price: $60-120
The Mexican Red Knee is one of the most famous pet tarantulas because of its friendly nature and pretty colors. They live a very long time – females can live 25-30 years! This makes them great long-term pets.
These tarantulas are basically the tortoises of the spider world—slow-moving, long-lived, and about as threatening as a stuffed animal. One even made an appearance in the latest Spider-Man movie as the “friendly neighborhood real spider”!
4. Curly Hair (Tliltocatl albopilosum)
Temperament rating: 8.8/10
Handling: Very Good
Care: Easy
Price: $40-80
The Curly Hair tarantula has fuzzy, curly hair (as you might guess from the name!) and a patient nature. They’re one of the most affordable beginner tarantulas with good temperament.
These guys look like they just rolled out of bed with permanent bed-head. My friend’s Curly Hair spends so much time just chilling that she jokes it’s “more houseplant than pet.”
5. Arizona Blonde (Aphonopelma chalcodes)
Temperament rating: 8.7/10
Handling: Very Good
Care: Easy
Price: $50-100
The Arizona Blonde is a native US tarantula with a placid temperament. They are slow-moving and have very low stress responses. They do well in many different home setups.
I saw one at a pet expo last month that was so relaxed, it barely moved for the whole three-hour show. The keeper called it “the living statue.”
6. Chilean Rose (Grammostola rosea)
Temperament rating: 8.5/10
Handling: Good
Care: Easy
Price: $30-60
The Chilean Rose is very common and affordable. While most are calm, some can have mood swings. They are a bit less predictable than others on this list, but still good for beginners.
Think of them as the cats of the tarantula world—usually sweet but occasionally sassy! My neighbor’s Chilean Rose once refused to eat for three months, then gobbled down three crickets in one night. Talk about a picky eater!
7. Pink Zebra Beauty (Eupalaestrus campestratus)
Temperament rating: 8.4/10
Handling: Very Good
Care: Easy
Price: $50-120
The Pink Zebra Beauty is lesser-known but has an excellent personality. They rarely show any threat posture and are very handleable.
These tarantulas are like the hidden gems of the spider world—not as famous as some others, but total sweethearts. I met one named “Pinky” at the exotic pet convention that was so gentle, kids were allowed to hold her.
8. Antilles Pink Toe (Caribena versicolor)
Temperament rating: 8.2/10
Handling: Good
Care: Needs more humidity
Price: $60-150
The Antilles Pink Toe is a beautiful blue and pink tree-dwelling tarantula. While a bit more active than ground tarantulas, they have a good temperament. They need a taller tank for climbing.
These are the gymnasts of the tarantula world! Mine likes to build silky hammocks near the top of her enclosure. With her blue and pink colors, she looks like she’s ready for the spider Olympics!
Temperament Comparison Table
| Species | Temperament Rating | Defensiveness | Hair-kicking | Handling Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Black | 9.5 | Very Low | Very Low | Excellent |
| Chaco Golden Knee | 9.2 | Low | Low | Excellent |
| Mexican Red Knee | 9.0 | Low | Moderate | Very Good |
| Curly Hair | 8.8 | Low | Moderate | Very Good |
| Arizona Blonde | 8.7 | Low | Low | Very Good |
| Chilean Rose | 8.5 | Variable | Low-Moderate | Good |
| Pink Zebra Beauty | 8.4 | Low | Low | Very Good |
| Antilles Pink Toe | 8.2 | Low | Low | Good |
Handling Guidelines for Docile Tarantulas
Even non-aggressive tarantulas need proper handling:
- Always sit on the floor when handling
- Never make sudden movements
- Watch for stress indicators like hair kicking
- Limit handling to 5-10 minutes
- Never handle after a molt (their exoskeleton is soft)
I learned rule #1 the hard way when my first tarantula decided to make a break for it. Let me tell you—catching a spooked spider while standing on a chair yelling “COME BACK HERE MISTER LEGS!” is not a great experience for anyone involved!
Stanley A. Schultz, author of The Tarantula Keeper’s Guide, warns: “Even the calmest tarantula can have a bad day. Always be respectful of their space.”
FAQs About Tarantula Temperament
Can temperament change over time?
Yes, tarantulas can become more or less defensive as they grow. Males often become more active when mature.
Just like how I went from shy kid to outgoing adult, tarantulas have their own personality journeys!
Are female tarantulas calmer than males?
Female tarantulas usually have more stable temperaments. Males may wander more once they mature.
It’s like the spider version of teenage boys—once male tarantulas hit spider puberty, they get wanderlust and start looking for spider dates!
How does molting affect temperament?
Most tarantulas are more defensive right after molting behavior because they feel vulnerable with a soft exoskeleton.
Imagine having to take off your skin and grow a new one—you’d be cranky too! It’s like the worst case of sunburn ever.
Conclusion
If you want a tarantula with the best temperament, these eight species are your best bet. The Grammostola and Brachypelma genera contain many of the calmest species.
For the very best temperament, the Brazilian Black stands above all others. But any tarantula on this list can be a great first-time keeper choice.
You can learn more about these amazing creatures at Arachnoboards, the largest tarantula community online.
Last weekend, I showed my niece my gentle Brazilian Black, and she went from “ewww, spiders!” to naming it “Sir Fuzzybutt” in about five minutes flat. That’s the magic of these gentle giants!
Remember: even a docile tarantula deserves care and respect. With the right species and proper care, you might be surprised at how gentle these eight-legged pets can be!
