The Brazilian Black, regarded as one of the best tarantula species for newcomers to the hobby, is scientifically known as Grammostola Pulchra. With its velvety black appearance, resilience and docile nature, this laid back species has something for everyone. Whether you’re a newbie, intermediate or advanced hobbyist, this species is certainly worth adding to your collection… that’s if you manage to find one!!!

Origins and Natural Habitat

The Brazilian Black (G. Pulchara) hails from the Pampas region in southern Brazil. The Pampas is a fertile subtropical grassland covering more than 700,000 square kilometres spanning Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. The average daily temperature in the region is 75 deg F and average humidity 64%.

Trees are scarce in the area with Pampas grass and shrubs flourishing.

G. Pulchara is a new world terrestrial tarantula and lives under rocks, logs, fallen branches or anywhere it can seek refuge. It’s an opportunistic species that will claim pre-made burrows in the wild and seek out its prey on the ground, making use of whatever is around.

It is important to note that G. Pulchara is specifically from Brazil and should not be confused with the Uruguayan Black (Grammastola Guirogai). However, this is easier said than done as both species are almost identical. Looks, colour, temperament and size are all the same, in fact, many advanced hobbyists and experts cannot tell them apart.

G. Pulchara can grow up to 6 – 8 inches (leg span) with females living for 20+ years and males up to 6 years.

Growth and Colouration

G. Pulchara is a slow grower and can take 6 years for a female to reach sexual maturity. Spiderlings can take 12 months to grow from 1 inch in size to 3 inches.

G. Pulchara is admired for its deep velvety black colour. Pre-molt, this species will turn a light grey and will shed some of its hair. Post-molt, the richness of the black colour returns this species to its glory. If your G. Pulchara turns brown pre-molt, there’s a good chance that you have an Uruguayan Black (Grammastola Guirogai) rather than a Brazilian Black like you thought. This is possibly one of the only distinguishing facts separating the 2 species, although it is still up for debate.

Cool… so where can I get one?

Getting hold of this species can prove very difficult and when they are found, can be quite expensive. Some of the reasons being:

• Exporting this species from Brazil is illegal. Any reputable dealer/seller/store owner will not import exotic animals without the correct documentation.
• Legally importing exotic animals from other countries adds to the final store price.
• Female takes 6+ years to reach sexual maturity.
• This species has proven difficult to breed in captivity and males are difficult to find.

If you happen to find a G. Pulchara in a store or being sold by any reseller, make sure it’s a reputable store, breeder or enthusiast. Know what you’re buying and where it’s come from before committing!

Finally… I’ve found one, but does it make a suitable pet?

If you’re into tarantulas, then you’ll enjoy the G. Pulchara. Perfect for newbies and loved by experienced keepers (of course we can’t speak for everyone here, but in general this is common opinion). This species is a very laid back, chilled out and docile creature. It’s not skittish and only really hides when molting. It enjoys being out in the open and is a very impressive eater. It catches its prey at lightning pace and will devour it before your eyes.

Like most new world tarantulae, G. Pulchara has type III urticating setae and can flick them when threatened. Due to the size of this species, they possess larger fangs than most pet tarantulae but contain only a mild venom. The Brazilian Black is not likely to flick hair or bite. However, precaution must be taken as each specimen has its own personality, and there’s always a chance that either might happen.

Handling is always recommended against, but there are times when it can’t be avoided. If handling is necessary, it is recommended to wear gloves and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.

Enclosure

This species prefers a large enclosure with lots of floor space. Aim for x3 leg span in width. Lots of ventilation holes should be provided around the enclosure, allowing for plenty of air movement. This species will be perfectly happy at room temperature, no need for heaters, lamps etc. And like most species, only one spider per enclosure.

The substrate should be kept dry, adding a water bowl in one corner of the enclosure to provide hydration and to maintain humidity. For spiderlings, the substrate should be at least 4 inches in depth. For adults, aim for 5 or 6 inches in depth.

This species likes to move substrate around and will create its own burrow – so expect your new friend to make itself at home and rearrange its living quarters.

Cork bark and fake plants are always a welcome addition. They provide hiding spots should the spider feel stressed or about to molt. This species also isn’t a heavy webber, so the enclosure will generally remain web free.

Feeding time

Crickets, roaches and mealworm are recommended. Pre-kill prey for spiderlings and place them on their web. Juveniles and adults can handle live food and will gladly hunt them down. Feed a couple of insects a week to keep your tarantula healthy. It’s essential to remove any remains of uneaten food from the enclosure within 24 hours to prevent mould and mites from developing.

Breeding Time

Due to a lack of males in captivity, breeding has proven difficult with this species. Hence, the reason they can be expensive and difficult to find.

Breeding the G. Pulchara is similar to breeding any other tarantula. The male should be introduced to the female enclosure, and at a distance. Allow the pair to grow accustomed to each other and begin to perform their ritual. The couple will perform a drumming pattern to declare their interest and will approach each other to start. The process is a lengthy one and must be supervised throughout. Pay close attention to when the act is completed as the female may attack and kill the much smaller male afterwards. When finished, the male will run away to escape the female and protect itself from attack. The time from successful mating to hatching can be as little as 4 months. It’s essential to keep a close eye on the female during this period. Ensure she is well fed and try not to disrupt her enclosure.

In Conclusion – the Key Points

The Brazilian Black (Grammostola Pulchra) is known as the Black Beauty for a reason. It has also been called the Black Labrador of tarantulae. It’s gentle nature, resilience, epic feeding response and ease of care make this beauty one of the best species for any beginner or established keeper. Whether you’ve ended up with a Brazilian Black or an Uruguayan Black, the end result will be the same. Expensive to buy and sometimes challenging to find, don’t hesitate to pick one of these up if you find one.