Hi (again)

I have been a regular visitor to the forum for over six months and a T enthusiast for about the same time.

I was wondering if anyone would have suggestions as to what "beginner" Pokies/Babboon spiders you might suggest? I understand these are not "beginner" T's, but I'm looking for the best out of these T's to begin with in their Genus.

Price is a relative factor, so please don't suggest R1 000+ tarantulas like M.Balfouri (although who wouldn't want one of these beautiful T's?) .

I'd also appreciate any other information involved in the "special care" of any T's you may mention

Thanks for any feedback! I appreciate it!

I have been keeping spiders way before tarantulas became popular in SA and my first Theraphosid was a baboon spider, so don't believe people when they say that beginners shouldn't keep pokies or baboon spiders.
My recommendation would be to get a cheaper pokie as a starter and start with a sling to get use to its speed. Start with something like a P.fasciata or P.regalis. You should be able to get these as slings for under R100 and possibly even under R50 for the fasciata. They are very quick, but seldom try and bite (They prefer to run and hide than fight) and make awesome display spiders when they hit 15cm+

As for baboon spiders, it doesn't leave you with much choice when it comes to ground living species as our locals need permits if you would like to keep them, but if you are looking for a cheaper terrestrial species that grows pretty large, maybe start with a Hysterocrates gigas. They do tend to burrow quite a lot, but that is just a natural baboon spider traight, so don't expect it to be out and about as often as something like a B.albopilosum.
As for arboreal baboon spiders, your best bet would be H.maculata. They have quite a nasty venom, but treated with a bit of respect, they should pose no real threat.

Well, it doesn't say 'Baboon' on the box, but you might want to consider Chilobrachus Huahini (Giant Asian Fawn)for a nice Old World terrestrial.

They have potent venom, are pretty quick, grow fast, eat like anything and are pretty curious.

They are opportunistic burrowers, so I house mine in a semi-arboreal setup. Seems to have worked as it didn't web up the whole thing and permanently sits in the mouth of one of the four tunnel openings.



Don't have any experience yet with pokies :dry:

Thanks Cerat! I appreciate the info!

I saw a C.darlingi at Wits a few months back for an eco-day where the Spider Club of SA came through. Needless to say, it was me in a sea of school kids, haha. What a truly beautiful T. I was told they only burrow once in their life and after they lose it, their life almost becomes meaningless. Is this true? If it is, that's truly sad and I feel incredibly sad for our wild-caught species (as well as all wild-caught).

Obviously, the hobby has to originate somewhere and in doing so wild-caught are inevitable. But I see why such stringent laws are in place to protect our beautiful T's from endangerment and the destruction of our ecosystems.

And Thanks Marius for the C.Huahini (Asian Fawn) idea, had not thought of that! I'm really interested in old world species specifically, so it was a great terrestrial suggestion. Will look into it!

Thanks everyone

It is untrue. Once they are removed from their burrows they are still able to construct new ones.

Hey Boner (I prefer Boner to Boney as I presume you are older than three? :laugh: )

Contact me in the fresh year so we can talk about this M balfouri thing you are on about... I will be back on planet Sober by 16 January.

I could also part with a P fasciata at a steal... (no pun)