Brachypelma hamorii

Sold as the Mexican red-knee The tarantula everyone pictures: black with orange-red knee bands, about 5.5 inches across the legs as an adult, and known for a calm, docile manner that suits a first-time keeper. It wants a wide, low tank rather than a tall one, with part of the substrate kept slightly damp. Commit before you buy, because females can live 25 to 30 years and males around 10. The species is CITES-protected, and collecting for the pet trade has badly reduced its wild population, so buy a captive-bred spiderling from a breeder. Like the Chilean rose, it kicks irritating hairs when bothered.