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Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra)

Meet the Brazilian Black Tarantula! This fuzzy spider comes from Brazil and is known for its shiny appearance and friendly nature. That’s why many people love having them as pets. Ready to learn some cool things about this unique spider? Keep reading!

Scientific Classification

Brazilian Black Tarantula

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: The maximum recorded length is up to 18 cm (7 in).
  • Color: The entire body, including the eight legs, is covered with rich, solid jet-black velvety hair.
  • Other Characteristic Feature: Their bodies are covered in fine hairs that are sensitive to vibrations, aiding in the detection of prey and predators.
Brazilian Black Tarantula Size

Eggs

After a successful mating session, the female takes 2-3 weeks to lay eggs in a sack. The sack can carry up to as many as 650 slings.

Brazilian Black Tarantula Egg Sac

Baby Brazilian Black Tarantula

Spiderlings

When threatened, the baby spiders tend to burrow if given a chance. Unlike most other species, the members of this species tend to grow very slowly and can take 4-8 years to attain complete adulthood.

Are Brazilian Black Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Brazilian Black Tarantulas are venomous. They use their venom to catch their food, but it’s not very strong for humans.

Grammostola Pulchra Bite

Can Brazilian Black Tarantulas Bite?

Yes, Brazilian Black Tarantulas can bite. However, because of their docile nature, they tend to bite rarely. Even if they do, the sting is milder than a bee’s. Nevertheless, care should be taken since the fangs of an adult are large enough to do damage to the skin, or give local infections like eruptions, redness, etc.

Brazilian Black Tarantula Female

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Brazilian Black Tarantula

Brazilian Black Tarantulas play a crucial role in their natural habitats as predators. They help control populations of various insects and small mammals, contributing to the ecological balance. Their slow growth rate and longevity are indicative of their stable role in the ecosystem.

Natural Predators: These tarantulas face predation from larger birds, snakes, and other reptiles. These natural predators are essential in controlling tarantula populations and preventing overabundance.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The Brazilian Black Tarantula is an apex invertebrate predator, feeding on insects, small mammals, and reptiles, which helps to keep these populations in check. In turn, the tarantula’s predators maintain the balance, preventing their numbers from becoming too high.

Relationship with Humans: While venomous, the Brazilian Black Tarantula is not known to pose a significant threat to humans. Their bites are rare and typically cause minimal discomfort. Due to their gentle nature, they are often kept as pets, and humans have played a role in their global distribution through the pet trade.

Quick Facts

LifespanMales live for only up to 4 years, whereas females can live for more than 20
DistributionBrazil and Uruguay
HabitatSouth American grasslands
Common predatorsLarger birds of prey, snakes, and other reptiles
DietVarious large and small insects including crickets, roaches, mealworms, grasshoppers, etc., as well as small mammals and reptiles like pinky mouse or lizards
Brazilian Black Tarantula Full Grown

Did You Know

  • Unlike most other tarantulas, this species would much rather tend to flee than attack, if provoked.
  • They can consume prey items almost double their size.

In conclusion, the Brazilian Black Tarantula is an important predatory species within its natural habitat, contributing to the control of pest populations and providing a balance within the food web.

Brazilian Black Tarantula Enclosure

Meet the Brazilian Black Tarantula! This fuzzy spider comes from Brazil and is known for its shiny appearance and friendly nature. That’s why many people love having them as pets. Ready to learn some cool things about this unique spider? Keep reading!

Brazilian Black Tarantula

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

  • Size: The maximum recorded length is up to 18 cm (7 in).
  • Color: The entire body, including the eight legs, is covered with rich, solid jet-black velvety hair.
  • Other Characteristic Feature: Their bodies are covered in fine hairs that are sensitive to vibrations, aiding in the detection of prey and predators.
Brazilian Black Tarantula Size

Eggs

After a successful mating session, the female takes 2-3 weeks to lay eggs in a sack. The sack can carry up to as many as 650 slings.

Brazilian Black Tarantula Egg Sac

Baby Brazilian Black Tarantula

Spiderlings

When threatened, the baby spiders tend to burrow if given a chance. Unlike most other species, the members of this species tend to grow very slowly and can take 4-8 years to attain complete adulthood.

Are Brazilian Black Tarantulas Venomous?

Yes, Brazilian Black Tarantulas are venomous. They use their venom to catch their food, but it’s not very strong for humans.

Grammostola Pulchra Bite

Can Brazilian Black Tarantulas Bite?

Yes, Brazilian Black Tarantulas can bite. However, because of their docile nature, they tend to bite rarely. Even if they do, the sting is milder than a bee’s. Nevertheless, care should be taken since the fangs of an adult are large enough to do damage to the skin, or give local infections like eruptions, redness, etc.

Brazilian Black Tarantula Female

Ecological Importance and Behavior of Brazilian Black Tarantula

Brazilian Black Tarantulas play a crucial role in their natural habitats as predators. They help control populations of various insects and small mammals, contributing to the ecological balance. Their slow growth rate and longevity are indicative of their stable role in the ecosystem.

Natural Predators: These tarantulas face predation from larger birds, snakes, and other reptiles. These natural predators are essential in controlling tarantula populations and preventing overabundance.

Prey-Predator Dynamics: The Brazilian Black Tarantula is an apex invertebrate predator, feeding on insects, small mammals, and reptiles, which helps to keep these populations in check. In turn, the tarantula’s predators maintain the balance, preventing their numbers from becoming too high.

Relationship with Humans: While venomous, the Brazilian Black Tarantula is not known to pose a significant threat to humans. Their bites are rare and typically cause minimal discomfort. Due to their gentle nature, they are often kept as pets, and humans have played a role in their global distribution through the pet trade.

Quick Facts

LifespanMales live for only up to 4 years, whereas females can live for more than 20
DistributionBrazil and Uruguay
HabitatSouth American grasslands
Common predatorsLarger birds of prey, snakes, and other reptiles
DietVarious large and small insects including crickets, roaches, mealworms, grasshoppers, etc., as well as small mammals and reptiles like pinky mouse or lizards
Brazilian Black Tarantula Full Grown

Did You Know

  • Unlike most other tarantulas, this species would much rather tend to flee than attack, if provoked.
  • They can consume prey items almost double their size.

In conclusion, the Brazilian Black Tarantula is an important predatory species within its natural habitat, contributing to the control of pest populations and providing a balance within the food web.

Brazilian Black Tarantula Enclosure