They're very cool. However, the males of the (the "California Brown" - it's currently unclear how many species there are - could be one, could be as many as 45) do usually only live about seven years in the wild. Once they're mature the males go wandering after the girls and don't eat, drink, or rest until the mating season is over. By which time they've weakened so much that somebody's probably eaten them, often their second or third mate.

Tarantulas can make wonderful pets - but get a girl if you get one, they don't have this hormonal problem. They're mostly not petable - bit it's because when you pet them the hair tends to come off. But it can be fun interacting with them - but the really see humans (once they get used to us) as an interesting rock to crawl around on.