One thing I can add with regards to Brachypelma species. They are classified as "beginners", but if you read up on B vagans, they are mean, my B boehmei is quite active and will readily attack anything in her enclosure, is quite fast as well, so could potentially escape.

Even my Brachypelma albopilosum (curly hair) will bite the paint brush when it is hungry, so handling it when it hasn't eaten recently is quite difficult and risky.

The reason I am mentioning this is because many beginners get a tarantula with the idea of handling them, I know I did, but later realize that they can be appreciated just as much without removing it from it's enclosure.

In the beginning I have coaxed my Ts with my bare finger on many occasions, but again, last night, my B albopilosum attacked and actually bit my paintbrush, had I use my finger, it would have surely bitten me.

the reason I was poking at it was to get a nice pose for a photo, but I have done this when rehousing or when trying to show it off to friends and family and it attacked the brush. Then no one will believe they are a pet rock.

So, the bottom line, not all bBachypelmas are "Friendly" and good for beginners, especially the B vagans. (My mature male is very nice though)

Interesting reading well my two cents. Ive you read up and do some recurge on the hobby then it should not be a problem no mater what spider you buy, as you would know how fast they grow, how big they get, humidity, temperature, burrowing,terrestrial or arboreal and so on. Not saying they are all easy but as explained you will know I've the tarantula you want is an easier specie to keep or not Personally i would say start off with a small one (sling) and learn as it grow

The question of handling comes to play.

I personally don't handle any of my tarantulas unless I absolutely have to.

So I guess what makes a beginner tarantula then? Is applicable here.

In my opinion - Something that's hardy, grows and eat steadily, and doesn't need too intensive husbandry.

TH

I'd say G pulchipres.
They do grow slow, but has a good appetite, and very docile.
My G pulghipres is the only spider that I do occasionaly handle.
Another good beginner spider in my opinion is B auratum (if you can find one). They do not tend to be "pet holes", they are hardy, have a good appetite, and is stunning looks wise! I have 2, and they are always out and about, they never hide, and almost always good entertainment at feeding times.

The Animal wrote:

The question of handling comes to play.

I personally don't handle any of my tarantulas unless I absolutely have to.

So I guess what makes a beginner tarantula then? Is applicable here.

In my opinion - Something that's hardy, grows and eat steadily, and doesn't need too intensive husbandry.

TH

+1
Psalmopoeus cambridgei ticks all those boxes.
They are fast, but I have never had mine escape. got out during rehousing once, but was very calm (I got shot by the poop cannon ). Very hardy, not picky about humidity or temp. Very good eaters. Stunning to look at. Mine are out in the open a lot. Amazing webbing and construction with subtrate.

All of the Psalmopoeus genus can be quite defensive and feisty, though.