There are so many types of Tarantula in the world today with new species being identified every year makes the world of the Tarantula so interesting New World Species come from America and South America in Tropical and sub Tropical areas there is loads of species in say Mexico and for me thats where the true Tarantula origins from the Mexican Red Knee new world species differ from there cousins of the old world in they posess Urticating hairs which they throw at would be predators and my hand when I change water bowl etc I should wear rubber gloves as the hairs can be quite itchy and very uncomfortable whatever happens do not put you face near a hair kicker because if the hairs get in the eyes temporary blindness can occur.

Old World Species  These spiders range from Africa and Asia and do not have urticating hairs however they make up for it in aggression they have no scruples and will bite if felt threatened for me the most impressive spider in Africa is the King Baboon spider a very slow growing and long lived animal a true monster in the spider world the Cobalt Blue from Thailand is also very impressive a beautiful blue burrowing spider with a nasty attitude all old world Tarantulas are not recommended for beginners due to this aggression.

In a word no, it is a myth that a Tarantula can kill people however some people do suffer with itchiness from the 'URTICATING HAIRS' they can throw at you from their abdomen, as for a bite it is more like having a bee sting people say but I have never been stung by a bee or a wasp but I have been bitten by a Tarantula.  When I first started in the hobby I only had a Curly Hair Tarantula and one hot summers day I let my spider roam the living room as usual only for me to fall asleep on the chair the spider climbed onto my bare foot I felt an itch so I went to scratch it with my other foot only to get bit I was still half asleep but it was not too painful but after a few hours the bitten area started to come up in lumps and started to swell I popped to the Doc who then said I had an allergic reaction to the venom, it then took about a week to clear up I hope that other tarantula keepers do not be as careless as me.

It is always best to read about keeping Tarantulas before you go out and buy one as you will be all geared up ready for your new pet when you get home with it always ask plenty of questions too like age, sex and species etc as these facts can be very important for example not all Tarantulas are handlable and you do not want to be on the end of a Tarantula bite as it is very painful.

For the beginner keeper I would recommend the Chile Rose (Grammastola Rosea) or Curly Hair (Brachypelma Albopolisum) these spiders are genrally good natured and rarely show aggression also you find these spiders to be very easy to keep and very cheap to buy both these spiders are terrestrial species so a small tank with 2" of substrate is required.

To the Tarantula store,Chid's Web and James Clugston for pictures and help relating the care of tarantulas.