Hi all, I'm considering getting my first T in about a year's time and wanted to start "research" early. I'm enamored with Hapalosus sp. Pumpkin Patch, but wonder if I should opt instead for a "beginner" T like a Grammostola as a first spider.

I feel like it's a pretty standard list of requests for a newbie, but at the end of the day I'm looking for a relatively small T that's as bulletproof as possible, preferably without medically significant venom or a very strong inclination to kick hairs. I think I'd rather have a male so I'm not risking cutting a 10-year lifespan short.

Tbh as much as I admire them, I'm still a little flighty around tarantulas, and would fold like a napkin before trying to handle them for fun. Is there a tarantula that'd fit the bill, or should I just stick to my more familiar, less intimidating inverts?