Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black Tarantula)

Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black Tarantula)

Grammostola pulchra, commonly known as the Brazilian Black Tarantula, is one of the most iconic species in the hobby, especially for beginners.  Adults of this species feature a stunning jet black color, across the carapace (head), abdomen and legs, making them one of the few docile jet black tarantula species. This species is also referred to as the "Black Lab" of tarantulas due to its extremely docile nature, and slower moving demeanor. Spiderlings of this species start with a reddish coloration and a black abdomen that turns into a jet black coloration at aroudn 2.5". We also have observed these moving around alot of soil, which makes them fun to keep because they are constantly rearranging their enclosure, carrying heavy objects and waterdishes with their fangs to fit their liking. This is a behavior observed in other species in the genus as well. This New World tarantula for sale is great for those that want a "low stress" experience and is great for both avid keepers and beginners alike.  

Why Hobbyists Keep Grammostola pulchra

• Jet Black Coloration: stunning jet black coloration on all adults starting around 2.5"
• Temperament: Exceptionally docile and slow-moving, often compared to the “black lab” of the tarantula world due to its calm and predictable behavior
• Adult size and behavior: Reaches a maximum leg span of around 5 to 6 inches, with a heavy-bodied build and very slow, deliberate movement
• Great Display Species: Known for being active and doing different things in the enclosure like moving objects or excavating. 

Care Overview

• Enclosure: Provide a terrestrial setup with about 3× the leg span as floor space and 2× the leg span as height, with substrate depth around the spider’s leg span to allow for light burrowing and secure retreat use
• Temperature: Maintain between 65–75°F with stable conditions
• Humidity: Keep moderate humidity with slightly moist substrate, allowing the top layer to dry out between misting
• Diet: Feed crickets, roaches, or similar prey sized appropriately to the carapace (head); this species tends to feed steadily but may show slower feeding responses at times
• Temperament: Extremely docile, rarely reactive, and one of the most forgiving species in terms of handling and maintenance

Additional Notes or Considerations

This species is often considered one of the best beginner tarantulas due to its slow movement, calm temperament, and ability to tolerate a wider range of conditions compared to more sensitive species. In the wild, they experience seasonal changes including periods of dryness and cooler temperatures, which contributes to their resilience in captivity.

In the wild, this species spends much of its time in burrows or under natural cover such as logs or rocks. In captivity, however, they are often more visible once established, especially when provided with a secure retreat and stable conditions.

Classification Note

There is ongoing discussion within the hobby regarding the distinction between Grammostola pulchra and Grammostola quirogai, as both have appeared in the trade under similar names. While they are recognized as separate species, much of what has been sold historically in the hobby has been labeled as G. pulchra. There is a very good chance that based on descriptions of both species that the what we call Grammostola pulchra is actually Grammostola quirogai. These were sold to us as pulchra - so we will continue to use this name until there is a paper that distinguishes what we have as hobby pulchra, are compared to wild forms of pulchra and quirogai. Since we cannot make judgments off of species purely off of color, changing the name without this evidence of a scientific paper would be irresponsible. That is the reason we are keeping this listing the same as what these animals are sold as: Grammostola pulchra "Hobby" form.