Top 5 *VENOMOUS* Baboon Tarantulas (for beginners)

[@scouseleemini1]

I have 6 balfouri Spiders in one enclosure and they’re so cute when sharing food, i have one that I see as mama bird who checks other balfouri who’s attempting to steal food from others and stomps her foot and protect one another and is the biggest one, i adore her, she’s really attached to the smallest one because they have a mild defect on their leg that isn’t life threatening, just makes it a bit harder for them to hunt (moult fixed it) so mama bird hunted for them (there is 2 males and 4 females, lucky lads)

[@jayrice5736]

Kat! I said it before, you're a brave lady handling the tarantulas. Me, unfortunately I'm terrified of the tarantulas, but I love watching them on videos. Keep it over 9000!

[@Chompadour]

My first old world was an OBT. Guy at a convention told me hands down best beginner old world was an OBT or a Socotra Island Blue Baboon. I was very skeptical, but felt like I was ready. I've given it lots of space and don't mess with it much at all and it's been a great tarantula. Don't wanna jinx it, but I've yet to see a threat pose, even when I rehoused. It just got its adult coloring a molt or two ago. Here's hoping it remains chill!

[@kentvikman1086]

I used to say that I wouldn't keep Poekis because of their flighty nature. Then I got a Regalis and nobody ever told me how shy they are. Rarely seen during the day, my large female moves slowly and deliberate by night and I can't imagine life without her. I largely agree with your list👍.

[@codyharman4107]

I was a crazy person and my first old world was an OBT that I got after being in the hobby for 3 months lol. I think it’s all about people’s confidence and ability to stay cool during rehousing. I still got super nervous but I took the precautions to make sure the spider and I were safe.

[@RejectHumanityReturn2Monke]

My first as well, a semi-adult female. Someone recommended that I get a big one already so there's no need to rehouse (bought it together with its enclosure) and risk an escape or worse, a bite. It worked and been keeping Ts for 15 years now.

[@Dante-ly666]

My first old world is actually a Togo Starburst baboon tarantula and it's because I was completely obsessed with them for years so I will be probably keeping Starburst species I love the grey one you have but the Togo with the flashy whites and black is stunning. My sling is Loki for a number of reasons 😅 almost lost them but they are now super safe in their amazing tunnel, it's something different from what you typically see I think that's another reason is they won't always choose the cork bark but rather make their own arboreal tunnel😂

[@chrisvandrese181]

My first old world was Harpactira cafreriana. Mine has been super chill even more so than my new worlds. At first, I kind of wondered if my baboon was broken but their temperament is great to work with. The amber colors on this species are just fantastic to look at and are so different from my other tarantulas. The only thing that stinks is that these are the priciest of the other Harpactira species and harder to find.

[@Christinas_creatures]

I love my balfouri communal -Got all 5 as tiny slings -I swear they weren't even 1/8" and they're around 3 inches now. My first old world and 2nd tarantula I got was actually an OBT. He was the most docile little guy until he matured then I got threat poses occasionally but still he was never too hard to deal with. He lived for 2 1/2 years as a mm -just long enough for his girl to grow to adulthood and hatch their babies!

[@elisep9913]

My first old world was 2 female balfouri sisters who live communally as adults. They are so fascinating to watch and honestly I think them being raised together communally their whole lives and staying together made them very chill. Second old world species was poecilotheria rufilata and the one I got was unknowingly a penultimate male so it was super shy and hardly ever came out. I was worried about rehousing the pokie but I just picked up the cork piece it was on and moved it into the new enclosure. It was perfectly still and camouflaged, didn’t move a bit when I put it into the new enclosure. Now I have 7 different old world species and I want more 🙄🤣 I love not having to worry about urticating hairs honestly.

[@AdriansCreatures]

Fun fact, Ma.Balfouris that are kept communal stay calm and less aggressive, and when I separated my females they became mean lol 😂

[@laurenwertz9930]

Perfect timing for this video! I've been keeping since 21 and now thinking about branching out into old worlds. Thanks Kat!

[@tabithacorley951]

Love the episode!! My first OW was a H. Pulchripes. He recently matured out. Happy to share him to the right keeper in the St. Louis area. I also have a M. Balfouri, still rather small. Never dreamed I'd love these gorgeous creatures so much!!

[@drohas8185]

Two years ago I was really struggling. I started down a tarantula rabbit hole and found your channel. You definitely helped to make my mind up to start keeping! Thank you for what you do, without your content I probably wouldn’t have jumped into this hobby and wonderful community❤. So thank you so much!

[@MissStereo1972]

I've the "orange bity thing", she's super calm when rehousing or feeding. Didn't expect that because of the reputation they have within the hobby

[@OlympusSnakes]

I went into tarantula's because of the H. Pulchripes. I think they are gorgeous. I have 5 slings and they are doing amazing. Imo, compared to my other baboons, also very calm. They don't bolt the seco d there is movement. Eat well. But idd need a proper waterdish and always filled.

[@candyscott489]

I have 18 New World tarantulas. At the beginning of this summer I got my first 2 Old World !! You guessed it, a 3 inch female golden blue leg baboon & a TINY sling same species. The sling now is the size of a quarter. This is the first sling I’v ever had 😳😳

[@Camilionen1]

Blue baboon was my first tarantulas, I got two for free, But I seperated them cuz it was easier for me to controll them when feeding and giving new water.

[@atricewarner5705]

I just found out my B. Boehmai just molted. I’m so excited.

[@shallowblue8387]

I just ordered an m. balfouri sling as my first old world. Their markings remind me of a siamese cat.

[@DerpSundae]

YAY NEW KAT VIDEO!!!! I was just looking at baboons so much he timing is PERFECT 🎉

[@emmalouise6597]

My first old world was a chilobrachys huahini 😅 she was a surprise for me tho, I got a mystery box from The Spider Shop in Wales and they added her in. She's been a gem tho, I also have an OBT who is a shy little thing. Both doing really well and have been a real treat to look after. Already considering getting more old worlds to add to my collection

[@cathyb1273]

I do not keep tarantulas but I follow various channels and I remember from years ago an Exotic Lair video. He was rehousing his Balfouri and she was not have it. Not especially defensive but she was doing her best to escape and with sucess, I don’t know how many time he had to put her back in the enclosure, she was escaping as soon as she saw the slightest opportunity. This video had me laughing to tears. The Balfouri was in no danger as EL did the rehousing in his garden and after a little while he let her wandering on the grass. I rewatched it from time to time because it is so funny.

[@kevincritters]

Hey Kat my first old world was a obt they get a bad reputation. Mine is fun to watch. I got as a sling. The only time I ever see a threat pose is when I’m filling the water bowl. It runs out and slaps at the water

[@misseryn29]

My first was a G pulchra, second was a Avic Avic, third was an OBT. The OBT is way easier to deal with, out all the time and probably my favorite

[@chellequinn4981]

I got into the hobby about 5yrs ago, living in Australia, We only have old worlds 😁. I have 3 Selenocosmias. They are all terrestrial. They are very chill for old worlds for the most part.

[@thomasbazin1529]

I got my 1st OW (P metallica ♀️) in March/April this year. She's not defensive at all, but very skittish. She runs to her safe area whenever disturbed. She's now ~4.5", have to rehouse her in her final enclosure soon (12x12x18" Exoterra). She's grown way faster than I expected. 😅

[@annesmith708]

Due to allergies, I do not keep New World spiders. My very first OW was a P. regalis. She's still here after many years. Recent acquisitions are a pair of C. schmidti. Going to work on mulitplying the species. Will keep you updated.

[@kaira_gt9008]

Thinking about getting a p. Regalis. How has your experience been so far? Are they really that shy and jumpy? I was told once they’re slightly disrupted, they start running and jumping around like crazy. Did you experience the same?

[@annesmith708]

@@kaira_gt9008 Kaira, there is no simple answer to your question. P. regalis is an arboreal spider. Their homes would be cracks in bark they can wedge themselves into in order to feel safe. As you know, spiders are primitive creatures. Food, water, shelter/safety/survival. If you give them what they need, versus what you want them to have, then you should have a calm spider. (Duplicate what they would have in the wild.) Side note here.. if all their requirements are met, you should be able to see your spider relaxing on the bark outside its hide during the day. To get their attention for feeding purposes, I tap on the lid of the enclosure. They know food/housekeeping will follow. Slow to train but they eventually get it. I don't believe in aggression in spiders. If they become frightened they will act out in a defensive manner. Humans do this too. Keeping them from being frightened is your job. Be calm. Be gentle. Take your time, even if measured by the hour. Only use a soft paintbrush to move your spider. I cannot emphasize this enough. Let's mention catch cups. They come in different sizes and shapes. Use size appropriate. Square container? Use a square catch cup. Shining a light on your spider. Only use a red light. No bright LED's. Buy a box of little "squeeze lights" in red and keep one on your keyring. Rehousing. A gently opening slider top enclosure. Anything that has a lid that snaps on should be avoided. IMHO. If you're worried about your spider running off while rehousing, then I would suggest a large plastic tub to do the rehousing in (with lid). Wrap the new enclosure in black paper. It's dark. It''s a bolt hole. Your guy should run right in. Holding your spider, aka, your spider choosing to run up your arm. Be calm. Be gentle. It will eventually find its way off wherever it ends up. It is no big deal. I have never had a bolt or a threat pose from any of them. I have twelve species in the genus, along with Stromatopelma, Heteroscodra, Chilobrachys. The generic bits apply to all (even to OBT's).

[@deckape714]

Big Smile 4 U Kat! p.regalis is my first old world. I have had her about a year. grows like a week and is drop dead gorgeous. Very shy but so pretty!

[@rachellehenson5568]

Great video and I totally agree with everything you said. I have/had all of these except the Lugardi. A. Ezendami are amazing. They are so chill. I got my female as an adult and I woke up one day and she passed away. She has just ate two weeks beforehand. I’m assuming old age. Marshalli and Darlingi are my favs even though my Marshalli is crazy lol. My H. Pulchripes female was very chill. My first OW was actually an OBT that I got as a freebie with my second order I made. I was scared to death. A little bit after that I got a King Baboon as a freebie 😱 Have a great rest of your weekend 💜

[@slaughterhater]

I have had one old world before. A Cameroon Red Baboon that grew into a mature male. I kept him in a 2 gallon tank. But I have mostly kept new worlds. I don’t currently have any tarantulas right now as I can’t have pets where I live. The species I have had are the Chilean Rose, Costa Rican Zebra, Guyana Pink Toe, Avicularia Amazonica, Costa Rican Tiger Rump, Guatemalan Red Rump, Mexican Red Leg, Cameroon Red Baboon and the Haitian Brown.

[@insect__politics]

My first old world was an H. pulcripes who I named Sister Golden Hair. She lost a leg the day I got her giving me a run for my money trying to get her into her new enclosure...but she's been good otherwise and is thriving still. She's one of my favorites to show off to my friends. Had her for three years now.

[@lilyetal]

My first old world was a H. villosella. One of my favourites to this day. My female is going on a year, near full size, and has webbed her enclosure so heavily! She's doing so well. A bit feisty but I expected as much.

[@richardbriansmith8562]

Awesome Video Tarantula Kat🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@Chris-u9x6v]

my first ow was a M. Balfouri named Bal and an H. maculata. named "oh hell no" I still have my balfouri he's a mature male and still active. Oh hell no died sadly....Probably my favorite OW's are Lady Lancelot, my C. Darlingi, and Skye m female H. Pulchrapies. Lady Lancelot is a fierce yet beautiful female like yours. she's all webbed up in her house and happy as a clam I consider her the queen of my spiders. Skye is my most gentle OW. during a rehouse I handled her (not recommended) because she was in a precarious position and I used my hand to support her and helper back down into her house without incident. i have other OW's but those two are my faves

[@nextresistance]

The first OW I plan to get is H. pulchripes. You made a really solid case for the two starburst baboons too so I’ve added them to the list.

[@Queen5footer]

One of my first T's was a H. Gabonensis (Gabon Blue Dwarf Baboon). Granted it's very smol (about 2 inches now and I have had it for 8 months) but so cute. It's due for a rehouse so I will be moving it into a new Tarantula Crib (thanks for the 20% discount last week) I would recommend it for a beginner based on size but it is speedy but shy.

[@DenverWild]

Got my first two OWs 3 months into keeping tarantulas, OBT and C.Huahini, both are total sweethearts as are all the others tbf only every had one issue with a C.Darlingi who likes to show off how fast he can run 😂😂

[@mariestubbs4606]

Great vid Kat ..

[@stompyrobotguy4376]

Love the content! M. balfouri was going to be the first Old World I get! Could you put the species in the video descriptions? I'll still learning a lot about the hobby, and a lot of the scientific names fly right over me LOL

[@naomidoss1837]

Have you seen missulena pruinosa. Commonly known as the mouse spider here in NT Australia

[@Queen5footer]

Just googled that and wowza it's super cool looking

[@naomidoss1837]

@Queen5footer yeah not so much when it's walking across the lounge room floor and you are scared of spiders. Caught him 3 times and put it outside before I worked out how he was getting in

[@Queen5footer]

@@naomidoss1837 it wasn’t until I got over my fear of spiders that I could move them so you’re braver than I was. But if I saw that in my house, even now, I’m sure I’d have some sort of heart attack.

[@naomidoss1837]

@@Queen5footer 🤣 yeah the heart was going a bit fast

[@gordondalrymple7644]

I’m almost ready to get a wind up tarantula !

[@michellemonts3114]

We’ve had an m balfouri for a few years and almost never see him 😅 but every once in a while, it’s a surprise! ♥️

[@Mr.Freeze420]

My tiny obt sling Redstone has been doing good. She (I hope it will eventually will be female) has webbed up both holes of her hide so she might be in pre-molt.

[@jerricahartman2359]

I really ❤ your videos! My youngest child is allergic to most animal hair, so Tarantulas are their choice pet. We haven't gotten one yet, but these videos are extremely informative and entertaining. That being said, I do wish that you would actually put the names (scientific, basic, as well as your pets names). That way I could do further research afterwards. But thank you again for what you do!!!!

[@santoroaquatics5038]

First comment you rock Kat and happy Saturday you always inspire me 👍💯💪💪💯

[@tonydeluna8095]

Thank you Kat for the recommendations!

[@Glamorousreptilekev]

We got a Female Poecilotheria Regalis at a local pet shop for our first old world species and we live her. We have had her almost 2 years and she seems really calm

[@cheninlimback7868]

My first was Heterothele villosella. Also a great beginner if you don’t mind a dwarf species!

[@TrexxArmz]

My darlingi was my first baboon, in my current keeping venture, and it's still going strong. Got an OBT and it's been a super chill T. I kinda want to get a balfouri communal next. They seem to be very laid back for OWs.

[@kingbizlip4u]

Hello Kat, I think it's great when women are also interested in tarantulas and have them as a hobby. But I would choose other spiders for top 5. Keep going anyway. BG from Germany.

[@audreyabby74]

My first OW was an OBT (sling) then I got a pulchripes and balfouri then marshalli then lugardi and mira (which I feel is really underrated).I want a h mac next or a pokie

[@Nook_Miis]

so my first old world T was the golden blue leg baboon and their an odd spider it takes time for them to take down food, one of my least bolty T's unlike the nhandu and tliltcatl slings in my collection, oh I've also had this idea you should watch some of pricklyalpaca's videos it could be fun.

[@keira4423]

I have 3 OBTS and they are definitely among my temperamental Ts if spooked but besides that they hide and are very shy. My H. pulchripes is a dote outside of rehousing as it has bolted both rehouses but never a threat pose. My C. darlingi is a cutie. My H. villosella is adorable but can be very reactive to any movement when feeding or watering etc. My M. balfouri is super shy and rarely seen. My most defensive T though is actually my P. sazmai. A bit of a nightmare to deal with and is a pretty small sling but has threat posed on several occasions and bolts towards me when trying to feed etc. My M. robustum is a well grown sling almost jeuvunille but very defensive and kicks hairs super easily. They are worse to deal with than my OWs for the most part.

[@chancecrump9609]

Really? My sazmai is such a little sweetheart. Like use her mandibles to take the crickets from the tongs level sweet. So cool how every specimen can be so different

[@leahparadox]

I recently got my first old world. She’s a P. Metallica and seems very chill for the most part. I am a bit intimidated by her size, tbh. She’s at least 6 inches. I am going to rewatch your P Metallica rehousing video. Her enclosure is way too small. I got her a large arboreal enclosure from Tarantula Cribs. I just haven’t found the right cork bark, yet. Wish me luck!

[@prissilou]

As I had told you before, my uncle was reaching into a box of bananas in a grocery store, and had a tarantula jump out and bite him. It bit him on the arm right near the elbow, and did not make him sick but he said the wound festered a little and drained for a while. This occurred in the 1950's, and I would guess the bananas came from SA, but who knows? Anyway, I never thought to ask him what happened to the spider, but I do suspect all bananas are fumigated now before being shipped to this country, but who knows? All he told me was that it was black. And he showed me the scars on his arm, you could see the fang marks. Every time I take bananas from a box, I think of that.

[@Queen5footer]

I had a roommate that worked at a grocery store in the produce department that caught a spider from the banana shipment, put it in a jar and on my bed. I let it go in the wild (now I know not the best idea but this was 20 years ago) and then put the empty jar on his bed.....he slept on the couch for a week LOL

[@mutkaheki]

My first OW was an OBT, despite all the warnings. She's a calm one.

[@MikelTulp]

My first was a Hetroscalda Macalata, and a OBT got them like 5 six weeks ago my Obt hasn’t appeared once, neve4 can see the h Mac although food disappears n their webbing is amazing

[@r1verman]

I purchased a C. darlingi because I'd heard they were good beginner Old World species. Mine was great until it molted. It now threat poses and bolts anytime I try to open it's enclosure. I'm thinking it may not have enough open space above it's burrow.

[@haydonbaker2966]

I went straight in with a chilobrchys fimbriatus 😈💀

[@MegaASnake]

My first baboon was 3 M.Balfouri i keep together and P.Murinus i bought recently 🙃 10 months in a hobby 🙃

[@GregWilliams-e5w]

Other then a green bottle blue female all my tarantulas are old world species. Maybe I was crazy when I first started keeping arachnids my first two tarantulas were and OBT and a Togo Starburst Baboon.

[@terra4na330]

Yup i agree they all have diff personalities was told gbb's are docile but mine is such a jerk anytime i touch the lid it threat poses me lol but my OBT is very calm and my c marshalli is still a sling but its rly defensive it threat poses every time too lol

[@Rulle666]

I don't own any spiders, but my favorite old world tarantula has always been Poecilotheria Metallica!

[@Ksksjdndndfnmgk]

H pulchripes is a species that needs it to be dry not moist all they need is a water dish and they are very common you can buy them from the spidershoppe for like 30$ if you get another one just keep it dry no moistening the substrate

[@tarantulakat]

I think my H pulchripes spent a lot of time at her dish because she wasn’t eating tbh, I do think they need access to water more often than other baboons but that’s just my experience.

[@Ksweetpea]

I have very firmly told myself no Old Worlds but damn I love king baboons

[@GamerFrisco]

Got my first juvenile OBT the other week. God they're FAST and hungry!!

[@Amyoils2.1]

Beautiful speices ❤❤

[@puppybreath87]

My first old world was a surprise 🎉. It was mislabeled as a P. Irmina but is actually a Phormingochilus sp Rufus. Beautiful tarantula though! I did also get a C. Darlingi because I think they are such a beautiful and cool species! My P. Rufus is named Cayan and my C. Darlingi is named Kuromi. ❤

[@albiesteward8135]

I love your videos tarantula kat I really want a tarantula but I can't get one yet so I have to wait but I like watching u videos instead

[@norcal6181]

When is a keeper "ready" for an old world T? How many new world T's do you have to keep first (roughly), and for how long?

[@ChantalsCritters]

Great video

[@rebeccabirch6130]

I have four new world Ts right now (G. pulchra, A. avic, C. cyaneopubescens, and a D. diamantinensis), and no old worlds. I'm a bit nervous about owning something with venom that could mess me up a bit... But the M. balfori is SO beautiful to me. If I ever own an old world? I think it's going to be an M. Balfori. Just the one! I don't need a communal... And as I'm typing this I'm like "Eh I'll see where I'm at in a few years."

[@sarahbroome5304]

Hi Kat! Do you have any H. Himalayana? I am a bit obsessed and would love to see a video about them. Finding info on them is proving difficult! All the info I find seems to be a bit outdated.

[@mariahDchavez1993]

Like the new tattoo

[@nancyICUnurse]

What does new world and old world mean?? And what are the differences in the 2? I always hear those terms but never heard what it means…thanks, Kat for slowly helping me reduce my fear of spiders.- I’m ok watching them with u in a video, but not ready for real life yet, lol!!! Xoxo

[@amgtarantulas]

I love all my baboons! Awesome species!

[@UselessSapphic-su9pp]

My first old world was an adult female Togo Starburst (H.maculata) that I got 4 months into keeping, she was my 4th T and only my 2nd adult. Still got her and honestly she’s an absolute doll to work with idk why they get such a bad rep

[@JustYourAverageGirl2002]

What would be the least medically significant and best suited temperament tarantula for a beginner wanting to get into the hobby?

[@baconbacon7619]

I love my darlingi. I definitely concur with it being suitable for a first OW.

[@melissa00c]

Would you ever consider getting a Chilobrachys natanicharum?

[@phonetich4212]

My first two OWs were an H. maculata and a P. regalis. The guy at the expo told me they were decent beginner old worlds and I would be fine since I have pedes, but arguably not the best starters lol No issues but those mfers are quick and grow fast

[@Usukie]

first tarantula was a Tliltocatl albopilosus second is a Pterinochilus chordatus next one I really want is a Aphonopelma chalcodes (I tried getting one before but it died as a sling a week after I got it)

[@AdriansCreatures]

My rear horned was by far my most aggressive tarantula, she always went crazy and hissed, I have videos of her hissing lol

[@salvatore861]

Harpactira Pulchripes!

[@yongryuu725]

My first old world was a Heteroscodra maculata xD

[@justicierodelaliga]

Kat, let me give you a suggestion/dare. Keep the Halloween decoration until January. ;)

[@robbye01]

I would love to have my first tarantula. As for the species I am not sure. 🕸️🕷️🕸️

[@gordondalrymple7644]

Well no one from the potent bites lived to tell the tale ?!

[@WuLOOLOO99]

Do you think you h. Pulchripes died because you kept their enclosure too humid? I heard they like bone dry enclosures

[@GregWilliams-e5w]

I see you have a kitty cat too, as do I.

[@MaskBandit6]

do you think tarantulas make great pets

[@clnfreakone8486]

My first old world was an 7” adult female P regalis I dove in with both feet lol 😆… I have 3 OBT’s … H pulchripes.. and P rufalita now plus 12 other new worlds

[@gordondalrymple7644]

I want a gray haired old tarantula (like myself)

[@GregWilliams-e5w]

When one does bite you you won’t die but you will be in pain for several days.

[@michaelroot6064]

Do you own a Sydney funnel web

[@tarantulakat]

no I don’t keep anything that venomous

[@queenbea5060]

What is the difference.. ? Why is there an old world and new world ?

[@stephenmitchell3507]

My feather leg baboon is an absolute arse compared to my singapore blue

[@ibisrox1]

I regret trading my illegal giant huntsman spider with about 50 babies in calgary for rare fish. And my red knee to move to US im so wanting one again but not allowed to have one here

[@jonathanreid3574]

Killer !!!!

[@julioalcala4084]

I like donuts

[@DaltonReefing]

Have you ever been bit by any of your spiders? 🕷️