Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black Tarantula) 0.75-1"

Grammostola pulchra (Brazilian Black Tarantula)

This 0.75 to 1 inch Brazilian Black Tarantula spiderling is a little further along than our smallest size, giving new keepers a bit more animal to start with while still catching the full color journey. At this stage it still carries the reddish, black abdomened look it hatched with, with the jet black adult coloration this species is famous for still to come around 2.5 inches. Grammostola pulchra is one of the most trusted names in the beginner side of the hobby, and this new world tarantula for sale is exactly why: docile from the start, easy to feed, and forgiving of small husbandry mistakes while it grows.

Why do hobbyists keep Grammostola pulchra?

• Color Change: The reddish, black bellied spiderling look gradually gives way to a deep, uniform jet black by around 2.5 inches, a genuinely satisfying transformation to raise from this size.
• Docile Temperament: Slow and calm even young, this species rarely reacts defensively and tolerates a wide range of conditions well.
• Beginner Genus: Grammostola as a genus has built its reputation on being some of the easiest, most laid back tarantulas available, and pulchra is the flagship.
• Hobby Favorite: One of the most recognizable and requested species in the entire hobby.

How should Grammostola pulchra be kept?

• Adult Size: Reaches 5 to 6 inches at full leg span, with a heavy bodied build and slow, deliberate movement.
• Enclosure: Start this baby tarantula in a 6 by 6 by 4 inch enclosure with about 2 inches of substrate, a cork hide, and a bit of leaf litter. This cage is built for a third of adult size, not for the spiderling's current inch, so it holds humidity well and still gives real growing room before the first rehouse.
• Rehousing: Two rehouses total for life. Next is a 12 by 12 by 8 inch enclosure with about 4 inches of substrate around the 2 inch mark, then an 18 by 18 by 12 inch adult setup with 6 inches of substrate around the 4 inch mark. This species grows slowly, often 4 to 6 years to full size, so expect roughly 18 to 24 months from this first cage.
• Temperature: Maintain between 65 to 75 degrees F with stable conditions.
• Humidity: Keep the substrate lightly moist, letting the top layer dry between mistings. Good ventilation is critical. Cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over-misted.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: Prey length runs about a quarter of the leg span, matching the carapace (head). At this size that is a 3/16 to 1/4 inch cricket or roach nymph. Feed at least once a week.
• Temperament: Calm and slow moving, one of the more forgiving spiderlings to raise for a first time keeper.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

• Sling Coloration: Reddish with a dark abdomen at this stage, on its way to the jet black finish that sets in around 2.5 inches.
• Unsexed Offering: Ships unsexed, with roughly even odds of male or female at this stage.
• Captive Bred: All Tarantulas are 100% captive bred.

Listing Notes

• A step up from our smallest spiderling size, this variant is still budget friendly while giving new keepers slightly more animal to work with right out of the gate. A great choice for anyone who wants to raise this beginner classic from an early stage without starting at the very smallest size we offer.

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 historically been sold in the hobby has been labeled as G. pulchra. There is a good chance that, based on descriptions of both species, 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 a paper distinguishes hobby pulchra from wild forms of pulchra and quirogai. Since we cannot make species determinations based on color alone, changing the name without that evidence would be irresponsible. That is why we are keeping this listing as Grammostola pulchra "Hobby" form.