Top 6 Best Tarantula Breeds for Beginners in 2025

If you find arachnids fascinating rather than freaky, it might have crossed your mind to keep a tarantula as a pet. Tarantulas are among the more popular exotic pets in the UK, with various species suited for first-time keepers.

If you already understand the general care and feeding needs of tarantulas, the next step is to choose which breed is best suited for your experience and lifestyle. Different tarantula breeds vary significantly in temperament, care demands, and hardiness—knowing these differences helps ensure you choose a pet that will thrive in your home.

Here, we offer expert advice and highlight the top six tarantula breeds for beginners in 2025, balancing ease of care with a pleasant temperament and interesting appearance.

What Makes a Good Tarantula for a Beginner?

Not all tarantulas are alike. Beginner-friendly species tend to be hardy and forgiving to minor care mistakes. They usually have a calm and docile temperament, rarely displaying defensive or aggressive behaviours when properly cared for.

Typically, New World terrestrial tarantulas belonging to genera such as Brachypelma, Aphonopelma, and Grammostola are recommended for novices. These species are ground-dwelling, which makes housing easier, and their generally docile nature allows for occasional gentle handling, though minimal handling is advised to reduce stress.

1. Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (Grammostola rosea/porteri)

Probably the most popular beginner tarantula, the Chilean Rose Hair is appreciated for its calm disposition and hardiness. It prefers dry environments and is quite resilient. While it can be a bit reclusive at times, it tolerates gentle interaction well.

Origins: Desert and scrublands of Northern Chile.
Habitat: Terrestrial ground-dweller.
Feed: Crickets, other large insects, and occasionally pinkie mice.
Size: Around 4 to 5 inches fully grown.
Temperament: Docile, slow-moving, and calm.
Housing requirements: A 5-10 gallon tank with 2-3 inches of peat moss or soil, with temperatures between 21-29°C.

2. Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi)

Famous for its striking red joints, the Mexican Red-Knee is another excellent choice for beginners. This tarantula is docile, hardy, and known to have a long lifespan—females can live up to 30 years.

Origins: Pacific side of Mexico
Habitat: Terrestrial ground-dweller.
Feed: Crickets and large insects, wild diet includes lizards and pinkie mice.
Size: Over 5 inches.
Temperament: Calm and docile.
Housing requirements: Similar to Chilean Rose, with a temperature range of 21-32°C.

3. Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra)

This breed is loved for its deep black, velvety appearance. It is gentle, slow-moving, and requires relatively simple care, making it ideal for first-time owners looking for a visually stunning pet.

Temperament: Extremely docile and calm.
Lifespan: Females often live 20-25 years.
Care: Requires similar terrestrial housing and moderate humidity levels.

4. Curly Hair Tarantula (Tliltocatl albopilosus)

The Curly Hair is notable for its distinctive wavy hair that gives a fuzzy appearance. This tarantula is calm, docile, and adaptable, suitable for those wanting a hardy spider that is easier to handle occasionally.

Origins: Mountainous and forested Central America.
Care: Terrestrial housing, moderate temperatures (23-29°C), and a tank size of 5-10 gallons with soil substrate.

5. Arizona Blonde Tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes)

Less commonly mentioned but an excellent beginner tarantula. It is docile, hardy, and adaptable to varied environmental conditions.

Temperament: Friendly and easy to care for.
Care: Requires terrestrial housing with suitable substrate and moderate warmth.

6. Green Bottle Blue Tarantula (Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens)

Known for its vibrant colours and faster activity, the Green Bottle Blue is slightly more demanding and suited to confident beginners who can manage its speed and temperament.

Temperament: Skittish and fast.
Care: Requires precise humidity and temperature control and a larger enclosure for webbing behaviours.

Summary Table of Beginner Tarantula Breeds

Choosing Responsibly

When selecting a tarantula, it is essential to buy from reputable sources to promote ethical and sustainable captive breeding. Avoid wild-caught specimens as they can suffer from stress, parasites, and contribute to damaging natural ecosystems. Dedicated breeders also provide you with important care advice tailored to each species.

Before bringing your tarantula home, ensure you have the correct enclosure, temperature and humidity controls, and understand the feeding and handling needs. Tarantulas are fascinating pets requiring respect and proper care to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do tarantulas eat?

Tarantulas primarily consume live insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, and occasionally small rodents like pinkie mice. Feeding should be appropriate to the tarantula's size and species, and uneaten prey should be removed to prevent stress and health issues.

Can beginners handle tarantulas?

While many beginner breeds tolerate gentle handling, it is generally recommended to limit handling to reduce stress and risk of injury to both the tarantula and keeper. Tarantulas are best appreciated as fascinating to observe rather than to handle frequently.

How long do tarantulas live?

Female tarantulas of beginner-friendly species can live from 10 to over 30 years, depending on breed. Males tend to have shorter lifespans.

Where can I find a beginner tarantula?

Reputable breeders and specialised exotic pet stores in the UK offer captive-bred tarantulas suited for beginners. Always ask about the origin and care history of the spider before purchase.

Choosing the right tarantula breed will ensure an enjoyable and responsible start to your arachnid-keeping journey. We hope this guide helps you find your ideal eight-legged companion!