Brazilian Black Tarantula

Scientific Name: Grammostola pulchra
Common Names: Brazilian Black Tarantula
Native Habitat: Brazil, Uruguay
Type: Terrestrial
Category: New World
Body Length: Females 2.5-3 inches (6.35-7.62 cm), Males slightly smaller
Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): Females up to 7-8 inches (17.78-20.32 cm), Males slightly smaller
Urticating Hairs: Yes
Growth Rate: Slow
Lifespan: Females 20-40 years, Males 6+ years
Recommended Experience Level: Beginner

Housing

• Enclosure: Provide plenty of floor space with several inches of substrate for burrowing. Include a hide, a water bowl, and optional fake plants for decoration.
• Spiderlings: Smaller enclosures with moist substrate and hiding spots.

Climate

• Temperature: Ideal range is 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C).
• Humidity: Medium; maintain around 55% to 65%.

Feeding

• Diet: Insects such as crickets, roaches, and mealworms.
• Frequency: Feed spiderlings twice a week, adults once a week or once every other week.

Behavior

• Temperament: Docile yet skittish. Rarely bites but may flick urticating hairs if agitated.
• Handling: Handling is not recommended due to their skittish nature.

Special Notes

• Coloration: Spiderlings are slow to obtain their adult colors, typically starting to show signs of adult coloring at 3/4-1 1/4 inch leg-span.
• Molting: During pre-molt, the tarantula may refuse food and require a stress-free environment.