Again, read up on your chosen animal before you buy it!

Try and talk to people who have experience of keeping that particular species.

If you are considering a Tarantula as a pet and want to be able to handle it, I’d only recommend a Chilean Rose (Phrixotrichus spatulata), even then it can cause skin irritation to some people.

I’d also strongly recommend that you buy ‘The Tarantula Keeper’s Guide’ published by Barrons.

This is an excellent book and contains a fair bit of humour. ;o)

It covers everything you need to know, from beginner to experienced keeper.

Tarantulas can make very interesting ‘pets’ but they are one of the least understood animals in the hobby.

They can cause irritation to skin and even blindness!

Know what you are doing before you get one, buy the book!

Jim Lind