8 Things to Consider Before Owning a Brazilian Black Tarantula

To look after a Brazilian Black Tarantula well, you should learn about its behavior, nature, venom effect, enclosure, and feeding requirements.

The Brazilian black tarantula, known as Grammostola Pulchra, is one of the most popular exotic pets nowadays because of its docile nature, hassle-free maintenance, and royal black-velvet color.

When it comes to looking after exotic pets, understanding the unique needs of such creatures is crucial. However, unlike other tarantulas, the Brazilian black tarantula requires very little maintenance. Also, its docile nature around humans makes it a perfect pet for beginners. Its venom is also not as deadly as other spiders.

If you are considering getting a Brazilian black tarantula as a pet, the below-mentioned characteristics and considerations should help you.

1. Temperament

If your pet is highly aggressive or possesses powerful predatory instincts, it may be challenging to handle. Unlike other tarantulas, the Brazilian black tarantula doesn’t have an aggressive temperament.

It is docile and, when kept as pets, they don’t show any hostile behavior or aggression. Instead, they remain calm and friendly. Also, they don’t seem to get bothered much by human contact. This goes for both adults and spiderlings.

2. Behaviour

Although docile in general, the Brazilian black tarantula is aggressive towards its prey while feeding. But in terms of human contact, they are surprisingly calm & docile.

Their receptive attitude toward handling makes them the most sought tarantula species in the world. You can easily take one in your hand and carry it for a short period. Unless it’s significantly bothered it hardly expresses any signs of aggression.

However, if you think it will never rear up in defense, you are wrong. If provoked excessively, it will go into a defensive mode and possibly flicker urticating hair – but that is very rare.

3. Venom Effects

The Brazilian black tarantula passes venom while biting. Therefore, careful handling is important for these tarantulas. Although they are mostly docile & calm, you can never be completely sure that they will not bite.

The assuring fact is that its venom is not as deadly as other tarantulas. It is more like a bee sting. However, the wound needs proper treatment to avoid infection. Since their venomous bit is nothing to be terrified of, you can keep them as beginner pets.

4. Lifespan

The female tarantulas have a much longer lifespan than males. They can live up to 20 years, whereas, the male tarantula only lives up to 5 years.

If your priority is mating & breeding, it can be an issue. There are many factors involved in breeding Brazilian black tarantulas. Hence, they are one of the rarest & most sought tarantulas in the world. But, if you follow the proper steps of mating & breeding carefully, you can breed more of these creatures.  

5. Housing Needs

Unlike other reptiles, tarantulas do not require so much space for living. For slings, you can use a 1-gallon tank with the snug-fitting lid facility. However, when it becomes an adult, you need to upgrade your tank to a 3- or 5-gallon tank. 

While choosing the tank, you need to focus on the width because Brazilian black tarantulas prefer larger roaming spaces. A rule of thumb for building a tank is that you should build or purchase a tank that is three times larger than its leg span. But if you want to be sure about the size, you can just purchase any tank that is 10 to 15 inches.

Remember, the bigger the better. Keep one tarantula per tank because of their solitary nature. Otherwise, tarantulas may fight among themselves. Make sure the tank has enough light and air. 

6. Temperature and Humidity

Brazilian black tarantulas are adaptable to adverse weather. Therefore, you don’t need to worry much about getting the conditions perfect. However, try to make sure the enclosure has a fixed temperature for its healthy growth.

The temperature should be between 75 to 85 ℃. To control humidity, use a good quality substrate, and a water bowl. The bowl will serve both as a humidity maintainer and a water source.  

7. Food and Eating Habits

Feeding is crucial for maintaining exotic pets. Unlike domestic pets, they have unique needs which you need to fulfill. Brazilian black tarantulas also follow the same diet as other tarantulas, meaning you don’t have to toil much for feeding.

They prefer eating mealworms, roaches, and moths the most. You need to follow unique approaches depending on the age of your tarantula. If your pet is at its juvenile or mature age, let it hunt the prey. For spiderlings, pre-kill the prey and then place the food on its web.

Tarantulas only eat a little so be careful with the amount you are feeding. For the mature ones, serve up to 5 meals per week whereas spiderlings require more feeding. While they are molting, don’t feed them. Wait until their exoskeletons fully dry up, and then feed them. Always remove uneaten food and remember to provide clean water. 

8. Lighting & Cleaning

Although lighting is not completely necessary for Brazilian black tarantulas, you can use a 15-watt fluorescent light near the habitat if they seem interested in light.

Cleaning is vital to ensure your tarantula stays healthy. Clean once a week and remove any uneaten food or molt. Maintaining the substrate is crucial if you don’t want to face any health issues. Use ground coco fiber, peat moss, or peat humus as substrates. You can also use all these in one mixture. Make sure the soil is dry and doesn’t contain any bacteria or living organisms.

Final Thoughts

The Brazilian black tarantulas are called black beauties because of their royal black-velvet color and are docile and friendly in nature. As for expenses, a Brazilian black tarantula doesn’t cost that much, being around $100.

The costs for maintaining the spider are also low. If you can maintain the above-mentioned things, then your Brazilian black tarantula can make an excellent exotic pet.