An interesting development...

[Hypancistrus]

I've been absolutely petrified of spiders my whole life, and recently (a year or so ago) began forcing myself to at least look at pictures of tarantulas and other "pet spiders" that people on here would post. I joined a few arachnid boards to see more pics and read about care. I bought a book on T's. Then I started looking at the live ones at shows. I can now hold one in a container on my hand so it LOOKS like it's on me without the change in heart rate and sweating that would occur a few years ago.

Today I found the first T I'd easily have bought if I had had the money at the moment. It was a beautiful Mexican fire leg tarantula that the local herp store guy has for sale for $70. I am sure you could get one cheaper at a show, but this little critter is absolutely the most beautiful spider I've ever seen in my life. Dang-- never thought I'd get to this point.

From what I've heard, they wouldn't be the best starter T's anyway. But I was so enamored with that spider!

 

[ZoologyGirl]

I love the look of mexican flame legs! I think I'm in the same boat as you...have to work my way up to spiders.

 

[danielle]

Mexican flame legs rock- I had a red haired for years that I really enjoyed though never held it all that often- only to scare people, lol.

 

[Tula_Montage]

I have a flame leg (B boehemi). He is a freakin nightmare LOL. Flicks and bites and runs towards your face when I open his box. But he makes up for it with good looks

I probably shouldn't have told you that huh...

 

[Em Wright]

I'm glad you're getting over your fear of spiders. For me... well, I still can't bare to even look at them without shuddering. Someday maybe I'll suck it up, but for now I will just applaude your strength!

 

[MyLittleGuyCyrus]

I was you 6 months ago.....but it was snakes. I was terrified of snakes. Then I met a Corn Snake named Faraday and he was so cool! I had to have one. Now I have Cyrus and he is my sweet baby! Not to mention I am fostering a Garter Snake that we found in my sister-in-laws basement last night, I have named her Mystic! Isn't it awesome to get over fears......now if I could just conquer heights!

 

[Hypancistrus]

Elle-- do they lose the "hairiness" with age?? Because this one was, for all intents, a big teddy bear with regards to hair. VERY hairy.

I was reading about them and I don't think they'd be a very good starter t, unfortunately. Phong says that his is prone to hair kicking as well and "mostly wants to be left alone" which really would be fine by me, as I sincerely doubt I'd ever hold one.

Elle, didn't you have a fear of spiders before you got into T's too??

 

[Tula_Montage]

Boehemi are also lighting fast btw, and tend to react to any and ALL stimulous, even breathing. Ahhhh!

They get MORE hair as they age LOL. Brachys are horrid flickers, although my girl Glitterbumfluff (B auratum is just delightful). Shes almost an adult and looks like velvet

I am STILL terrified of spiders, but I find the bigger and hairier the better. I have a huge crush on avics, they make awesome first t's (apart from their slightly challanging husbandry requirement but you keep cresties do you not, so you would understand their arboreal/humid needs). Heres Twinkle Toes

 

[Jessicat]

Tarantulas are great because you really don't need to handle them to care for them. In fact, it's probably better that you DON'T handle them!

I don't know if I could handle having 50+ Ts, but I think a few are nice display animals in any home. Just don't get a pet hole (aka Cobalt Blue aka H. Lividum)

 

[Hypancistrus]

Tarantulas are great because you really don't need to handle them to care for them. In fact, it's probably better that you DON'T handle them!

I don't know if I could handle having 50+ Ts, but I think a few are nice display animals in any home. Just don't get a pet hole (aka Cobalt Blue aka H. Lividum)

I actually have a snake who we joke is like having a T... my leucy Texas rat. She sits in this one hide most of the time and never comes out. You can poke a pinky in the hide and see her head for 30 seconds as she drags it inside.

I actually was first attracted to T's by a cobalt blue, but upon doing research realized that they really aren't for me-- I do take the change to live vicariously through others though!

And yeah... these would not be held... probably ever. I have seen videos of people holding T's to overcome their fear. I think I'd piss myself.

I am STILL terrified of spiders, but I find the bigger and hairier the better. I have a huge crush on avics, they make awesome first t's (apart from their slightly challanging husbandry requirement but you keep cresties do you not, so you would understand their arboreal/humid needs). Heres Twinkle Toes

It's funny you say that, but T's are far less scary to me than smaller spiders. I will scream like a girl for my daddy if a tiny wee spider happens upon me in the shower (true story) but a T in a cage I can watch for hours.

They have two rosehairs for $25 (one of which looks good-- nice round rump, the other... not so good) and a pink toe baby. To be perfectly honest I don't think I could deal with the pink toe at this point. Spiders on walls freak me out. Geckos I can live with. Spiders... not so much. I prefer those that have a desire to stay close to ground.

 

[Chip]

I work with Clay's rattlesnakes regularly, and have cared for many elapids and vipers over the years but... Even a tiny spider makes me recoil! I sometimes carry cobalts, red legs, etc. in the shop, and I'm more nervous around them than a cobra. I just recoil from them, it's in my DNA -I'm certain. I don't hate them, enjoy observing them, but even on a nature documentary about spiders find my hands close to my body. Scorpions don't bother me a bit. I have a spider fear, and I'll admit it. I hope you get over yours and kudos for finding one you like!