At a glance the quick version
Diagonal leg span, not body length. Wikipedia gives up to about 18 cm; The Tarantula Collective gives up to 6-7 in (15-18 cm) for females. Males are smaller.
Females are very long-lived, up to about 30 years per The Tarantula Collective; males have a much shorter life.
Looks how to spot one
Hairy exoskeleton (tarantula)
A heavy-bodied ground-dwelling tarantula covered in dense, velvety hair. Adults are almost completely jet black, with a soft sheen that makes them look like black velvet.1
Personality what they are like
One of the calmest tarantulas in the hobby. It tends to move slowly, rarely shows defensive behaviour and seldom flicks its hairs, preferring to walk away if disturbed. It is still best watched rather than handled.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A slow, steady spider that spends much of its time sitting near or in a burrow. It grows slowly and can take up to about eight years to reach adulthood.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Keep a shallow water dish filled at all times. Leave it alone while moulting and remove uneaten food. Feed adults roughly every 2-3 weeks, juveniles every 7-10 days and spiderlings about twice a week.2
Home where they are happiest
A terrestrial enclosure about 3-5 times the spider's leg span, filled one half to two thirds with substrate so it can burrow. The Tarantula Collective suggests room temperature of about 20-23 C, with adults kept mostly dry apart from one lightly dampened area.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Company who they like around
A solitary spider; keep one per enclosure.2
The story where it all began
Mello-Leitão described the species in 1921 from Brazil. Export of wild animals from Brazil is not allowed, so the spiders in the hobby come from captive breeding, and their slow growth means adult females are prized.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- World Spider Catalog (via Wikipedia)
- Accepted species Grammostola pulchra Mello-Leitão, 1921 (family Theraphosidae).1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Brazilian Black Tarantula. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Brazilian Black Tarantula?
Feed adults roughly every 2-3 weeks, juveniles every 7-10 days, and spiderlings about twice a week. Always remove uneaten food and leave them alone while moulting. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on species, size and moult stage, so adjust as needed.2 Furry Diary plan
What does a Brazilian Black Tarantula eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat insects like crickets, roaches and mealworms. What they should never eat isn't specified here, so ask your vet or a good breeder for a safe list.12
How much space does a Brazilian Black Tarantula need?
A terrestrial enclosure about 3-5 times the spider's leg span, filled half to two thirds with substrate so it can burrow. That gives them plenty of room to feel secure.2
What temperature, light or water does a Brazilian Black Tarantula need?
Room temperature around 20-23 C is ideal, with adults kept mostly dry except for one lightly dampened area. Always provide a shallow water dish, and Furry Diary's plan suggests checking humidity and water every 2 days.2 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Brazilian Black Tarantula's home?
Spot clean weekly by removing leftover food, and change the substrate fully every 6 months. Furry Diary's plan also reminds you to leave them in peace while moulting. Furry Diary plan
Can a Brazilian Black Tarantula live with others?
No, they are solitary spiders and should be kept one per enclosure to avoid stress or aggression.2
How long does a Brazilian Black Tarantula live?
They can live up to 30 years, but they grow slowly and may take about 8 years to reach adulthood. A wonderful long-term companion!12
Can I handle a Brazilian Black Tarantula?
They are one of the calmest tarantulas and rarely show defensive behaviour, but it's still best to watch rather than handle. Enjoy their beauty from a safe distance.12
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Grammostola pulchra (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, origin, size, colour, temperament, growth, diet, history, export ban
- Grammostola pulchra care sheet (The Tarantula Collective) thetarantulacollective.comused for leg span, lifespan, enclosure, temperature, humidity, feeding
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.