Brazilian Black Tarantula Care

The Brazilian Black tarantula, or Grammostola pulchra, is a medium-large tarantula with a docile temperament that is a good choice for both beginner and intermediate spider keepers. Females can live up to 20 years, while males live considerably shorter life spans, often only two to three years. Brazilian Blacks are often called the "best pet tarantulas" in the pet trade because they are easy to keep and less aggressive and nervous than other species.

  1. Features

    • Brazilian Black tarantulas have a velvety, black appearance. They are thick bodied with a 5- to 6-inch leg span. Their temperaments are even and placid, and they will spend most of their time sitting still in their enclosure. Adults need to eat three to eight times per month, depending on the size of prey, while spiderlings should eat one or two times per week. They are not aggressive but will attack and possibly cannibalize other tarantulas so should be kept separately.

    Housing

    • These are terrestrial, opportunistic burrowing tarantulas; they live under the ground in burrows that they appropriate from another animal. Their enclosure should be wider than it is tall, and at least three times as long as their body size as well as at least twice as tall. Several inches of peat moss or crushed coconut bark work well as a substrate they can dig in, and a box or log can be used as furniture although it isn't really necessary. A small, shallow water dish should be filled at all times and the enclosure lid should lock because tarantulas can climb and will escape if given the chance. Brazilian Black tarantulas should be kept at temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees, with a relative humidity at 75 percent to 80 percent.

    Feeding

    • Brazilian Black tarantulas are carnivores that eat a variety of prey including crickets, roaches and other large insects. When they are spiderlings they will mostly eat bugs, but as they mature and get larger they need to eat bigger prey animals. These can include insects as well as pinkie mice, fuzzy mice and even small lizards. Some tarantulas will accept frozen mice though most will only eat prey that is still alive.

    Handling

    • All tarantulas are venomous but are not toxic enough to seriously hurt a human unless the person has an allergic reaction. Anyone handling the normally docile Brazilian Blacks runs the risk getting bitten. They also have urticating hairs, a set of barbed hairs on their rear end that they will flick out when they feel threatened. These hairs stick in the skin or eyes and can cause severe itching or a burning sensation. The best way to prevent potentially harmful situations is to handle the tarantula as little as possible. When moving it from one enclosure to another for cleaning or re-homing purposes, use a soft paintbrush to gently urge it from one area to another.