Tarantulas are exotic pets with very specific care requirements that can be difficult for new owners to meet. However, Grammostola pulcha, commonly known as the Brazilian black tarantula, is a great tarantula for beginners. It is a hardy, flexible spider that can thrive in a variety of conditions. In addition, they are known for their docile nature and lack of aggression, which makes them ideal for people who want to handle their own tarantula. Caring for these spiders is relatively simple, and in this guide, we’re going to cover all the basics you need to know to keep your Brazilian Black Tarantula in peak health.
Quick Facts About Brazilian Black Tarantulas
| Species Name: | gramostola pulchra |
| family: | Theraphosidae |
| Care Level: | basic |
| Temperature: | 75-85 Fahrenheit |
| Mood: | active yet polite |
| Color Variation: | black |
| Life span: | 5-20+ years |
| Shape: | up to 8 inches |
| Diet: | insects |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10+ gallons |
| Tank set-up: | dry with substrate |
| Compatibility: | Beginner to Expert Owners |
Brazilian Black Tarantula Overview
For those in the know, tarantulas can make exciting and fun pets. Few pets get the wow factor that tarantulas enjoy, and Brazilian black tarantulas are among the most incredible to look at. These behemoths are all black and can spread over 8 inches when fully grown. They are quite impressive to look at, with a thick, chunky body covered in shiny hairs that give them a velvety look. (1)
Although these are beautiful tarantulas, the really attractive thing about the Brazilian Black Tarantula is how easy it is to care for. These are ideal tarantulas for first-time caretakers. They are so strong and flexible that it is difficult to mess them up. These tarantulas are not very particular about the temperature of their environment and they do not display the bad temper you see with other tarantula species. Rather, (2)Brazilian black tarantulas are calm and docile, and many owners claim that they have never shown any form of aggression; Except during feeding of course!
Due to their docile nature, these are some of the safest tarantulas that can be held. They are unlikely to bite, and if they do, their venom is mild. That said, the fangs of a full-grown Brazilian black tarantula are big enough to cause harm, so you still don’t want to feel the bite. Fortunately, these tarantulas are known to be very tolerant to handle.
How much do Brazilian Black Tarantulas cost?
One of the most attractive things about Brazilian black tarantula ownership is its low barrier to entry. Not only are they incredibly easy to care for, but these tarantulas are also fairly inexpensive. You should expect to spend around $100 for a good quality Brazilian Black Tarantula, (3) which is extremely cheap for an exotic pet. Thankfully, these tarantulas are equally inexpensive to care for, as all they really need is a steady diet of insects. (4)
distinctive behavior and temperament
Many tarantulas exhibit aggressive behavior and bad temper. Fortunately, the Brazilian black tarantula rarely exhibits such tendencies. Instead, these tarantulas are usually calm and peaceful, making them one of the safer species to handle. They do not seem to have any natural inclination towards aggression like other tarantula species, which is why they are often It is recommended as the first species for beginning tarantula keepers.
Appearance and varieties
With a name like the Brazilian Black Tarantula, there isn’t much room for variation. All these spiders look essentially the same. They are thick spiders covered with shiny black hairs. Compared to other tarantulas, Brazilian blacks tend to be chunky and plump. (5) They can also reach quite an impressive size, which often spans up to 8 inches when fully grown.
How to Care for a Brazilian Black Tarantula
Housing, tank position and setup
Wall
You’ll need at least a 10-gallon tank for a Brazilian black tarantula, although it will certainly be more comfortable with 15 or 20 gallons of space. Make sure the tank is well-ventilated and covered with a secure lid that your spider cannot lift.
Temperature
Your Brazilian black tarantula will be happiest between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, but they are not very picky. Since they are such resilient tarantulas, fluctuations in temperature will not have a major effect. (6)
Light
You don’t need to put too much thought into your tarantula’s lighting. It only needs light during the day, and you can use standard fluorescent bulbs which are cheap and use very little electricity. Keep them on during the day and turn them off at night.
substrate
Brazilian black tarantulas are digging spiders, so you’ll need enough substrate to burrow into. This means about 4-5 inches of substrate. Good choices include coconut coir or dry potting soil.
hiding place
In addition to burrowing, your tarantula will also need a place to hide under something solid, such as a piece of wood or rock.
damp
These tarantulas are not very particular about the humidity of their enclosure. Whatever the humidity level in your home will be fine.
Water
Your tarantula will need constant access to water. However, the dish should be small and shallow so as not to pose a potential drowning hazard.
Do Brazilian Black Tarantulas get along with other pets?
Tarantulas of any type are a poor choice for communal housing and the Brazilian black tarantula is no exception. These spiders are actually cannibals, so if you try to keep two in the same enclosure, you’ll end up with at least one dead and probably eaten by the other spider. Of course, it is equally likely that they both died of wounds sustained during the fight.
There are only a few types of tarantulas that have been successfully kept together. Even among “communal” tarantulas of this type, it is more common for a member of the enclosure to be dead. Brazilian black tarantulas are not one of the tarantula species that have been kept communally with success, so apart from breeding, it is not recommended that you attempt to keep two together.
As far as other pets go, tarantulas are pretty much solitary creatures. Your dog or cat will probably try to eat it, and if you have rodents, your tarantula will probably try to eat them too! It’s best to let your tarantula live out its life in solitude and peace.
What to feed your Brazilian Black Tarantula?
Feeding your Brazilian black tarantula is fairly easy. You can offer almost any type of insect and they’ll be an absolute pleasure to consume. As a juvenile, your Brazilian black tarantula will eat one to two small insects every other day, such as a roach nymph or pinhead cricket. When mature, your tarantula will only need to eat a large insect once or twice per week. Roach and large crickets make great feeder insects for the adult Brazilian black tarantula.
Keeping Your Brazilian Black Tarantula Healthy
Thankfully, Brazilian black tarantulas are hardy and resilient, so keeping them in good health is relatively easy. As long as you didn’t make a huge mistake like dropping your tarantula, it should be healthy. Of course, if you drop your tarantula, you will cause catastrophic damage and possible death, so be careful not to do this.
Male Brazilian blacks can expect a maximum age of 5, possibly 6 years. On the other hand, females can live for more than 20 years and some even live for as long as three decades! Just keep feeding your tarantula, don’t let it freeze or overheat, and make sure it always has water, and you’ll have an eight-legged pet for some time to come… until you have a male.
breeding
You need to be careful when attempting to mate with a Brazilian black tarantula. You can leave the male and female together for a short time while mating. However, there is always a risk that if you leave them overnight, your male will die in the morning.
If your tarantulas mate successfully, your female will lay an egg sac several weeks later. The egg sac of a Brazilian black tarantula contains about 650 slings, or baby spiders.
Are Brazilian Black Tarantulas Right For You?
The tarantula is a pet that is only suitable for a small percentage of people. If you are one of the few people who really want to have a giant spider in their home, then the Brazilian black tarantula is definitely a great option for you. These are some of the most beginner-friendly tarantulas around, although they are still desirable to experts as well thanks to their docile nature.
If you are looking for a tarantula that you can handle safely, the Brazilian Black is one of your best bets. These spiders are known to be very tolerant of handling and display little or no aggression. You are unlikely to be bitten by a Brazilian black tarantula. And unlike many tarantulas, Brazilian blacks are usually not bad-tempered.