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Warning: This blog has very clear images of tarantulas. If you're arachnophobic, feel free to skip out on it for your well being's sake.
In this blog I'll be listing my favorite species of Tarantulas from 10 to 1. I'll decide this based on factors such as their appearance (i.e size, colors), temperament (i.e docility) and behavior. In truth, I'll love every tarantula species you could ever show me, because I love them all forever, TRULY I have to express how much I love them, and wish I could see one for myself for the first time instead of them showing up in the homes of people who unjustly despise them. But these are the ones I find particularly amazing due to the mentioned criteria.
If you're not knowledgeable about spiders, you may be surprised to find that tarantulas have a wide range of factors that differentiate them from other species, and they're really not as mean as people make them out to be. In terms of spider species, they're some of the most docile, save for a few exceptions. Either way, I'll be starting the list off with:
10. Brachypelma smithi (Mexican Redknee Tarantula)
The Mexican Redknee Tarantula is one of the most well-known New World species, and arguably the most popular in the Tarantula pet trade world, due to their docile temperament. That is to say, they're very sweet. If this market ever reaches my country, this is the first I'd be getting as a pet. They're relatively low-maintenance, as well as having quite a hefty life-span of 30 years for females, and 10 years for males (which is a tad higher than the average male tarantula life-span)!
That aside, they're also just really cute. What do you want me to say? You can't go wrong with them. They're only this low because aesthetically there are more interesting ones, but their temperament is definitely better than some higher in the list.
9. Aphonopelma chalcodes (Arizona Blonde Tarantula)
Do I even have to explain myself? They're beautiful. Look at that. Had to fight the urge to add two images — that's how beautiful they are. Even their name is cute. Arizona Blonde. Yeah, she's a blondie. And she's so pretty! Now, their size may make them look a tad intimidating... But like the Mexican Redknee, their temperament is no issue at all. They're very docile New Worlds, as well as being particularly sturdy, given the harsh weather their environment tends to endure. They're also burrowers, which may be a downside if you want your Tarantula on sight at all times, but very endearing if you're familiar with their behavior... All-in-all, they're another very good choice for beginners. And again, so adorable. I can't get enough of staring at them.
8. Ephebopus murinus (Skeleton Tarantula)
"Skeleton Tarantula"? Yes, you heard me right. Skeleton Tarantula. Evidently, because their pattern resembles that of skeleton legs. Ain't that cool? They're New World, and despite being from an arboreal subfamily, they prefer making burrows across the forest floor. I will say however, unlike the previously mentioned spiders, they're not so friendly. They are rather aggressive and easily agitated, as well as being very fast. In spite of this, well... It's a damn SKELETON tarantula. That's too awesome not to love. And can you blame them? To us, we're way freakier looking giant things. So if you just leave them be, and admire them from afar, they won't be an issue. They're also from Brazil, which gives them bonus points for being from my country. ;P
7. Theraphosa stirmi (Burgundy Goliath Birdeater Tarantula)
Yeah, listen. I know what you're thinking. "B-b-b-b-birdeater?! So they eat birds?!?!" No, not quite, it's more of an educated guess that ended up being their name. They're able to eat birds, yes, because of their size. But it came from an 18th-century engraving that depicted a different species eating a hummingbird. So really, it's all just a misunderstanding. And I know they don't look the most... Comforting. And truly, their attitude isn't stellar, seeing as they're some of the most skittish and aggressive species. In their defense though, again... We are frightening to them! They can die from a 1ft fall. Just be kind to them. They're trying their best in a world infinitely larger than them. If we already feel tiny, just imagine how they feel! I find them beautiful due to their admirable size, and watching them move is just fascinating. They get a very unfair reputation, due to rumors that are spread around them! It's even in their name, for God's sake.
And I'll be providing an extra image, just for the sake of debunking a common myth.
This image, right here? FAKE. It's edited. You can see that the texture behind the spider is clearly way larger than the texture behind the hand. This is not true, okay? Don't let jackasses online make you even more afraid of them than you have to be (which is: not at all). Goliaths are huge, but they'd still fit in your hands. You can hold them like the little babies that they are. So don't be intimidated by fake bullshit. NEVER let them spread the anti-tarantula propaganda!!! EVER!!! Anyways. Bonus points also for existing in Brazil. Let's proceed.
6. Chilobrachys sp (Electric-Blue Tarantula)
Here's where we're starting to reach the jaw-dropping ones. The Chilobrachys genus has a plethora of stunning Tarantulas, but the Electric-Blue's purple to blue gradient just leaves me in awe. They're the first Old World of our list, as they originate all across Asia. I believe this one is from Thailand? Though I could be mistaken. Either way, they're not beginner friendly, due to being very feisty and unpredictable, as well as VERY FAST. You'd have to watch out if you get one, or maybe don't at all. Regardless, their beauty can be admired through images, and I certainly love to look at them. You'd be surprised at how colorful tarantulas can be, as you'll be finding out with our next 4 entries.
5. Typhochlaena seladonia (Brazilian Jewel Tarantula)
BRASIL NÚMERO UM CAMPEÃO PENTA. Look. I don't have to explain this either. Just look at it. The Brazilian Jewel is, as its lovely little name suggests... A Brazilian (i.e New World) arboreal and very colorful species. They're also unique due to their habit of constructing trapdoors in the bark of trees as their home, rather than burrowing. They have a very docile temperament (which means they're niceys), however they aren't recommended to beginners, due to their fragility and high-maintenance. Much like a real jewel, they are rare and fragile... There's not much else to it. They're simply very likeable, and have my country on their name.
4. Poecilotheria regalis (Indian Ornamental Tarantula)
As their name suggests, they are Old World tarantulas with a relatively black-and-white color pattern, save for the few pops of purple and yellow. In truth, the entire Poecilotheria genus is competing here. There's another at number 3 because it's undoubtedly the most beautiful, but they could honestly take up an entire ranking. I just particularly enjoy the appearance of the regalis, however you could replace it with any other. They're just that stunning. Notably, this genus' venom is a tad more potent than that of any other Old World tarantula... Therefore, they're not beginner friendly, as well as being very fast. Now though I'll simply show you the real show-stealer from this genus, right at number 3:
3. Poecilotheria Metallica (Peacock Tarantula)
Once again, need I explain myself? This beauty right here gets a special spot in the Top 3 due to being one of the things that got me into spiders in the first place. I remember seeing this on Google and thinking "damn, tarantulas can be THIS colorful...?" And it ended up sending me down the rabbit hole in which I bask in today... Same deal for them as the previous entry — Old World, stronger venom and aggressive demeanor. Despite this, they are amongst the most popular in the pet trade due to their colors, obviously.
It is worth noting however that, unfortunately, this species has been classified as Critically Endangered, seeing as their only natural habitat is a forest located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, which is a highly disturbed environment due to wood harvesting, and specimen collection for pet trading. Given those things, it's best to leave them be, in my opinion. They're aggressive and high-maintenance anyway, due to their rarity and specific habitat. As well as being afraid of us. So although I don't have many moral qualms with the overall Tarantula pet trade (unless collected from the wild) I feel that they should be left alone. Although I suppose I can understand the urge... They are stunning, after all.
2. Pamphobeteus platyomma (Brazilian Pinkbloom Tarantula)
"Is this real?"
Yes.
What a pride and joy for my country. I promise, I'm not trying to do favoritism here, there just happens to be many stunning tarantulas here? I think I'm very lucky for that...
Not much is known about this species, so I can't tell you many fun facts... While the Pamphobeteus genus isn't exactly new, the Pinkbloom is a new discovery. It's to the point where I can't even determine the correct scientific name for them? I get many different ones upon searching "Brazilian Pinkbloom", but I know that these are the right pictures for them. The species name just might be off, but hey, that's okay. Not like anyone's fact-checking me, I hope. Anyways. It includes some of the largest Tarantula species in the world. They tend to be bold, but not particularly aggressive or confrontational. Simply defensive. Not much else to say: their looks say it all. It's hard to believe they're real. Upon first seeing them, I really thought they were edited. Beautiful spiders. Stunning.
And finally, for my number 1 tarantula species in the world...
1. Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black Tarantula)
"Did you seriously just show several unbelievably colorful spiders only to make the number one spot a completely black one?"
Yes.
Look. If you don't like it, make your own ranking. And then send it to me, because I'd genuinely love to read through it. Anyways. Yes, I'm making number one a Brazilian one, not only that, but it's from MY region. So if God ever decides to be kind to me one day, I may come across one in the wild and feel the happiest I'll ever feel in my entire damned life. And get this: They're the most popular tarantula species in the pet trade. Why?
Because they're the NICEST. See how they're being held in both pictures? It's not exactly recommended to hold a tarantula — they don't particularly enjoy it � but there's the ones that will let you, and the ones that won't. G. pulchras will let you, and they're such little darlings about it. I just think their pitch black fur is nice, I like them, I think they're cute AND my fursona is one of them. I needn't explain myself any further. They deserve number one for being little sweethearts.
So, congrats. You have reached the end of this list, and if you actually read this I'm going to be really surprised, I don't actually expect anyone to care and I MAY have wasted an hour of my life and entirely too much of my effort, but honestly, I made this list for my own satisfaction and nothing else, so I don't think I care if nobody reads this. If you did, though, here's a little prize, just for you.
Truly the cutest animals in God's beautiful green Earth.
(I did not check through this for spelling mistakes yet: apologies in advance for any you may find.)
Comments
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⦻ Hitchhiker
The arizona blonde is so so pretty o.o
I'm not very knowledgeable on arachnids nd bugs nd other similar critters so I can't really go into detail about how much i like one or another, but I love hearing abt ppl's interests and this was a super fun read!!! :DD
It really is... And thank you!! I'm so glad! (o´▽`o) I'm relatively new too, I started getting into spiders/bugs around mid 2023, but I love to learn about them! And I'm happy that me sharing my knowledge managed to be fun!
by ☣ ; HORROR; ; Report
sof ★
was scared af BUT ITS ACTUALLY INTERESTING!!!! gotta say that, as a former spider hater, theyre all quite pretty, esp the third and first :D beautiful beings in my humble opinion
I'm glad you made it!!! They are indeed beautiful! And I am glad you're no longer a hater... I used to be very afraid of them, I couldn't even look at a picture of one without getting all itchy and paranoid... It turns out that after learning about them though, I don't have to worry about them being dangerous. I love them. (〃´▽`) I'm happy to hear that my infodumping managed to be interesting.
by ☣ ; HORROR; ; Report