Ever considered a pet that needs minimal care, creates zero noise, and lives for decades?
Tarantulas might surprise you! Despite their fearsome reputation, many species are gentle, low-maintenance, and fascinating to observe.
This guide ranks the best beginner tarantulas from easiest to more challenging, helping you select your ideal first arachnid companion.
Looking for a low-maintenance pet spider? Explore the easiest species in this Tarantula for beginners guide.
https://zooawesome.com/wild-pets/from-scared-to-spider-parent-best-tarantulas-for-beginners-expert-guide/
Why Tarantulas Make Good Pets for Beginners
Tarantulas can be great first exotic pets because:
- They need little space (my first one lived in an enclosure smaller than a shoebox!)
- They eat only once a week (or less for adults)—talk about low maintenance!
- Most are calm and slow-moving (no NASCAR racers here)
- They don’t make noise or smell (unlike my neighbor’s parrot)
- They’re really cool to watch! (better than television, honestly)
What Makes a Tarantula “Beginner-Friendly”?
When picking your first tarantula, look for these things:
- Docile temperament – You want a calm spider that rarely feels threatened (think of it as the golden retriever of spiders)
- Hardiness – Species that forgive small mistakes in care (because we all forget things sometimes!)
- Simple care – Basic feeding and housing needs (no complicated spider condos needed)
- Fair price – Affordable for new keepers (your wallet will thank you)
- Slower movement – Easier to keep track of (no Olympic sprinters)
Tom Moran, tarantula expert and YouTuber from Tarantula Collective, says: “The best beginner tarantula is one that’s hardy, has a calm temperament, and won’t break the bank. You want your first experience to be positive!”
Basic Tarantula Care Overview
Before we rank the top species, here’s what all tarantulas need:
- Housing: Most need a tank that’s 3-5 times their leg span (imagine living in a studio apartment that’s 3-5 times your height—pretty spacious!)
- Food: Live crickets, roaches, or mealworms (they’re not vegetarians, that’s for sure)
- Water: Small dish of fresh water (no fancy bottled water necessary)
- Substrate: 2-4 inches of coconut fiber or peat moss (think of it as spider carpet)
- Hide: A small cave or half-log to hide under (everyone needs some privacy)
Top 10 Beginner Tarantulas Ranked
#1: Curly Hair Tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosum)
Why it’s #1: The Curly Hair tarantula care is super easy! These fuzzy spiders from Central America are:
- Very docile (5/5) – I’ve seen one stay perfectly still during a thunderstorm!
- Easy to keep (1/5 difficulty) – Even my forgetful cousin managed this one
- Hardy – forgives small mistakes (we’re all human)
- Affordable ($40-75) – cheaper than a pair of decent sneakers
- Lives 15-20 years (females) – longer than most cell phones last!
Care needs:
- 70-75°F temperature (room temperature works fine)
- 65-75% humidity (a spray bottle once a week usually does it)
- 5-6 inch adult size (about as big as your hand)
- Moderate growth rate (not too fast, not too slow—the Goldilocks of spiders)
#2: Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola pulchripes)
Why it’s #2: The Grammostola pulchripes for beginners is an excellent choice because:
- Extremely docile (5/5) – like a fuzzy statue with legs
- Very hardy (1/5 difficulty) – survived my roommate “tarantula-sitting” (and he kills cacti!)
- Long-lived (20-30 years for females!) – older than some marriages
- Beautiful gold stripes on knees (nature’s knee pads)
- Calm temperament (the zen master of tarantulas)
Care needs:
- 70-75°F temperature (comfy in any normal home)
- 60-70% humidity (a little drier than #1)
- 7-8 inch adult size (bigger than your hand—but still gentle)
- Slow growth rate (patience is a virtue with these guys)
#3: Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma hamorii)
Why it’s #3: The Brachypelma hamorii care is straightforward, and they are:
- Very calm (4.5/5 docility) – the spider celebrities you see in movies!
- Easy care (1.5/5 difficulty) – not much harder than a pet rock
- Stunning orange and black colors (Halloween-themed all year)
- Great display spider (my guests always notice mine)
- Lives 25-30 years (females) – might outlast your car!
Care needs:
- 70-78°F temperature (normal house temps)
- 60-65% humidity (drier than the previous two)
- 5-6 inch adult size (hand-sized)
- Very slow growth rate (slower than my grandma’s internet)
#4: Brazilian Black (Grammostola pulchra)
Why it’s #4: This Grammostola pulchra temperament is amazing, but they cost more:
- Extremely docile (5/5) – like a teddy bear with eight legs
- Easy care (1.5/5 difficulty) – practically takes care of itself
- Beautiful solid black color (goes with everything, very fashionable)
- Very calm, rarely kicks hairs (good manners!)
- Lives 20-25 years (females) – old enough to vote and drink!
Care needs:
- 70-78°F temperature (comfy room temperature)
- 65-70% humidity (like #2, not too wet or dry)
- 6-7 inch adult size (bigger than your hand)
- Very slow growth rate (watching paint dry is more exciting)
#5: Arizona Blonde (Aphonopelma chalcodes)
Why it’s #5: This North American tarantula species comparison shows it’s:
- Very calm (4.5/5 docility) – the friendly neighbor of tarantulas
- Fairly easy (2/5 difficulty) – a step up, but still beginner-friendly
- Needs less humidity than others (perfect if you live somewhere dry)
- Can handle temperature changes (the all-weather spider)
- Lives 20-30 years (females) – could be with you through college, marriage, and beyond!
Care needs:
- 70-85°F temperature (wider range than others)
- 50-60% humidity (drier than most)
- 5-6 inch adult size (hand-sized)
- Very slow growth rate (patience required—like waiting for your tax refund)
#6: Chilean Rose Hair (Grammostola rosea)
Why it’s #6: The Chilean Rose Hair tarantula is:
- Mostly calm (4/5 docility) – usually relaxed, but has moody days (don’t we all?)
- Fairly easy (2/5 difficulty) – like taking care of a cactus
- Very affordable ($40-80) – cheaper than a fancy dinner
- Common in pet stores (the Honda Civic of tarantulas—reliable and everywhere)
- Lives 15-20 years (females) – old enough to graduate high school!
Care needs:
- 70-78°F temperature (standard room temp)
- 55-65% humidity (on the drier side)
- 5-5.5 inch adult size (slightly smaller hand)
- Slow growth rate (like watching your retirement fund grow)
Note: Their mood can change sometimes (they’re basically teenagers)
#7: Antilles Pink Toe (Caribena versicolor)
Why it’s #7: The Caribena versicolor is:
- Usually gentle (4/5 docility) – like a shy butterfly that happens to be a spider
- Moderate care (2.5/5 difficulty) – needs a bit more attention
- Amazing color changes as they grow (the chameleon of spiders!)
- First good arboreal (tree-dwelling) beginner (lives the high life)
- Lives 10-12 years (females) – a decade of eight-legged friendship
Care needs:
- 75-80°F temperature (slightly warmer)
- 70-80% humidity (more humid—think tropical vacation)
- 5 inch adult size (palm-sized)
- Medium growth rate (faster than watching grass grow)
- Needs tall enclosure (they like penthouses, not ranch-style homes)
#8: Green Bottle Blue (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)
Why it’s #8: The tarantula species difficulty scale puts this at:
- Somewhat calm (3.5/5 docility) – has some spunk to it!
- Moderate care (3/5 difficulty) – requires more attention
- Stunning blue and orange colors (looks like it belongs in a coral reef)
- Makes amazing webs (better than Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web)
- Lives 12-15 years (females) – teenager-aged pet
Care needs:
- 75-85°F temperature (warmer than most)
- 60-70% humidity (moderate)
- 5-6 inch adult size (hand-sized)
- Fast growth rate (faster than my nephew grows out of shoes)
#9: Pink Toe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia)
Why it’s #9: The Pink Toe tarantula beginner care is:
- Usually gentle (4/5 docility) – like a ballerina with extra legs
- Moderate care (3/5 difficulty) – needs some spider-specific knowledge
- Pretty pink-tipped feet (nature’s manicure)
- Tree dweller (thinks the floor is lava)
- Lives 8-10 years (females) – a decade of companionship
Care needs:
- 75-80°F temperature (warmer)
- 75-85% humidity (humid—like a bathroom after a hot shower)
- 4-5 inch adult size (smaller than most)
- Medium growth rate (grows like a middle-schooler)
- Needs good air flow (doesn’t like stuffy rooms—can’t blame them)
#10: Brazilian Salmon Pink (Lasiodora parahybana)
Why it’s #10: This low maintenance tarantula is:
- Moderately calm (3.5/5 docility) – has attitude but manageable
- Moderate care (3/5 difficulty) – needs some experience
- Grows very big! (the Great Dane of tarantulas)
- Great eater (never turns down a meal—like my uncle at Thanksgiving)
- Lives 15-20 years (females) – outlasts most smartphones by decades
Care needs:
- 75-85°F temperature (likes it warm)
- 70-80% humidity (pretty humid)
- 8-10 inch adult size (bigger than your hand—more like two hands!)
- Fast growth rate (grows faster than my credit card bill)
Quick Comparison Table
| Rank | Species | Docility | Difficulty | Price | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curly Hair | 5/5 | 1/5 | $40-75 | 5-6″ |
| 2 | Chaco Golden Knee | 5/5 | 1/5 | $60-120 | 7-8″ |
| 3 | Mexican Red Knee | 4.5/5 | 1.5/5 | $75-150 | 5-6″ |
| 4 | Brazilian Black | 5/5 | 1.5/5 | $120-250 | 6-7″ |
| 5 | Arizona Blonde | 4.5/5 | 2/5 | $50-100 | 5-6″ |
| 6 | Chilean Rose | 4/5 | 2/5 | $40-80 | 5-5.5″ |
| 7 | Antilles Pink Toe | 4/5 | 2.5/5 | $80-150 | 5″ |
| 8 | Green Bottle Blue | 3.5/5 | 3/5 | $75-150 | 5-6″ |
| 9 | Common Pink Toe | 4/5 | 3/5 | $45-90 | 4-5″ |
| 10 | Brazilian Salmon Pink | 3.5/5 | 3/5 | $50-100 | 8-10″ |
Where to Buy Beginner Tarantulas
You can find affordable tarantulas for beginners at:
- Online dealers like Fear Not Tarantulas (where I got my first T!)
- Exotic pet expos in larger cities (like Comic-Con but with scales and fur)
- Local pet stores (but check the spider’s health carefully—trust me on this one)
- Arachnoboards Forum classifieds section (the Craigslist of the spider world)
The American Tarantula Society says: “Always buy from reputable dealers who can tell you if the spider is wild-caught or captive-bred. Captive-bred is usually healthier and better for the environment.”
Essential Starter Equipment
Your beginner tarantula starter kit should include:
- Enclosure: 5-10 gallon tank for terrestrial species (their studio apartment)
- Substrate: Coconut fiber or peat moss (3-4 inches deep) (spider bedding)
- Water dish: Small, shallow dish (no spider swimming pools!)
- Hide: Half log, small flowerpot, or cork bark (their private retreat)
- Tools: Tongs for feeding, catch cup for maintenance (no finger foods here)
Last month, I set up my nephew with his first tarantula habitat for under $60 using items from a big box pet store. He named his Curly Hair “Sir Fuzzybutt” and now takes better care of it than he does his room!
Common Questions About Beginner Tarantulas
Are tarantulas dangerous for beginners?
Most beginner tarantula handling should be limited. While the species on this list have mild venom (like a bee sting), they can fall and get hurt. Their hairs can also cause itching. I learned this the hard way when I rubbed my eye after handling my first T—felt like I had a sandcastle in there!
How often do I need to feed my tarantula?
- Babies: 1-2 times per week (growing spiderlings are hungry!)
- Adults: 1-2 times per month (they’re on the intermittent fasting trend)
My adult Curly Hair once refused food for six weeks during winter. I was panicking while she was just on a diet!
What do I do when my tarantula molts?
Don’t disturb them during the tarantula molting process! Remove any prey items and wait 7-10 days after molting before feeding again.
It’s like they’re getting a full-body makeover and need recovery time.
My first time seeing a molt almost gave me a heart attack—I thought my spider had died and left a perfect copy behind!
How long do beginner tarantulas live?
Female tarantulas in the tarantula lifespan comparison show they live 8-30 years. Males usually live 2-8 years.
My friend’s Mexican Red Knee is old enough to vote—she got it when she was in middle school and now she’s married with kids!
Final Thoughts
Starting with the right species makes a huge difference in your tarantula-keeping journey. For first time tarantula recommendations, stick with the top 3-5 species on our list for the best experience.
According to a tarantula keeper beginner guide by the British Tarantula Society: “Start with one of the calmer terrestrial species, master their care, then expand your collection. This hobby is addictive—you rarely stop at just one!”
They’re not kidding about that last part! I started with one tarantula in 2019, and by 2022, I had seven. My partner calls it “the slow-moving invasion.” At least they don’t bark at the mail carrier!
Remember that tarantula temperature requirements and tarantula humidity needs vary by species, so always research your specific pet’s needs. Just like people, each spider has its own preferences—my Mexican Red Knee hates humidity, while my Pink Toe practically needs a rainforest!
Happy tarantula keeping! And remember—eight legs just means four times the love. Or something like that
