Top 10 Beginner Invertebrates!
Here it is!!! A compilation of the top 10 best beginner invertebrates! There are many different species of arachnids, insects, and other invertebrates kept as pets out there, and many of them can make for great pets, but in order to really narrow down possible options for the new or beginning reptile or exotic pet enthusiast, we’ve decided to create this top 10 list, in no particular order! This list is based on many different factors which should always be researched and considered as to which animals do make good pets, and includes, but is certainly not limited to the species’ eventual adult size, lifespan and longevity, cost of care, temperament and handleability, overall ease of care, overall affordability and availability, and other factors.
There are many different opinions as to which species specifically make the best beginner’s pets. However, the best “beginner’s pet” is ultimately one that someone has done their research on and are interested in most. We hope these top 10 guides can better help YOU pick out your first, or even next reptile or amphibian! These guides are also great for choosing a classroom, or even office pet as well! And, if you have a species which does not appear on this list, but believe it should, let us know, and we may evaluate it for another top 10 list!
*Photo Credit: George Chernilevsky
1. Mexican Redknee Tarantula (Brachypelma smithi)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Docile and Handleable for Tarantulas, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Availability, Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potential for Venomous-Bite Reactions.
*Photo Credit: Chehaw Park
2. Chilean Rosehair Tarantula (Grammostola rosea)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Docile and Handleable for Tarantulas, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potential for Venomous-Bite Reactions.
*Photo Credit: ThePetSavvy.com
3. Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Docile and Handleable for Tarantulas, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Initial Price, Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potential for Venomous-Bite Reactions.
*Photo Credit: Kids.NationalGeographic
4. Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)
Pros: Size (for Insects), Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Docile and Handleable.
Cons: Availability, Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Shorter Longevity.
*Photo Credit: Zoo Montana
5. Walkingsticks/Stick Insects (Phasmatodea)*Native, North American species.
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Low Maintenance, Many different species, Colors, Shapes, and Sizes.
Cons: Legalities Concerning Exotic Species, Can Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Low Activity.
*Photo Credit: elKayPics
6. Mantids (Chinese, Giant Asian, African, or Ghost), (Mantodea)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Low Maintenance, Many different species, colors, shapes, and sizes.
Cons: Availability for Some Species, Can be Fragile and Delicate Handleability-Wise, Sometimes Short Longevity.
*Photo Credit: TheKidsShouldSeeThis, Rion Nakaya
7. Millipedes (Spirostreptida)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Low Maintenance, Docile and Handleable without Worry of Biting.
Cons: Availability for Some Species, Some Can Still Have Potentially Irritating Secretions, Possibly Low Activity?
*Photo Credit: The Oregon Zoo
8. Emperor Scorpion (Pandinus imperator)*Relative to Scorpions.
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Low Maintenance, Docile and Handleable Species of Scorpion Without Medically Significant Venom, Low Likelihood of Stinging, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Availability, Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potential for Venomous-Sting Reactions.
*Photo Credit: Our Breathing Planet
9. Asian Forest Scorpion (Heterometrus spp.)*Relative to Scorpions.
Pros: More Readily Available “Large Scorpion”, Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Low Maintenance, Docile and Handleable Species of Scorpion Without Medically Significant Venom, Low Likelihood of Stinging, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potential for Venomous-Sting Reactions.
*Photo Credit: The Cincinnati Zoo
10 . Death Feigning and Other Desert Beetles (Family Tenebrionidae)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Low Maintenance, Docile and Handleable Species, Uniqueness.
Cons: Availability and Supply.
Honorable Mentions:
*Photo Credit: Pets & Animals Blog.
-Moon and Halloween Crabs (Gecarcinidae)
Pros: Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Bright and/or Unusual Colors and Appearances, Easy Feeding Requirements.
Cons: Lack of Handleability, Particular Humidity and Water Requirements, Potentially Long Longevity.
*Photo Credit: LLLReptile
-Curly Haired Tarantula (Brachypelma albopilosum)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Docile and Handleable for Tarantulas, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potential for Venomous-Bite Reactions.
*Photo Credit: Arizoneensis.org
-North American Desert Tarantulas (Aphonopelma spp.)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Docile and Handleable for Tarantulas, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potential for Venomous-Bite Reactions.
*Photo Credit: TarantulaFriendly
Pinktoe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia)
Pros: Small Enclosure and Few Requirements, Easy Feeding and Maintenance, Longevity for Invertebrates.
Cons: Still Delicate and Fragile with Handling, Requires Live Insect Prey, Potentially More Skittish or Faster Moving, Potential for Venomous-Bite Reactions.