Brazilian Black Tarantulas are becoming extremely popular house pets nowadays. These small little creatures are not like other tarantulas. They are very calm and docile. They do not get agitated and instead of biting you back like other tarantulas, they will run away. Because of their shy nature, they are perfect for beginners.
Basic Description of a Brazilian Black Tarantula
The Brazilian Black Tarantula or grammostola pulchra is an enchanting black spider with jet black fur covering its entire body and legs. Its origin is the grasslands of Brazil and Uruguay. In the wild, they like to live a solitary life and hunt at night.
The spider is known for its beauty and makes an excellent house pet.
The Brazilian black tarantulas are not large like the Brazilian giant salmon tarantula and are not tiny like the Mexican red knee tarantulas. They are med size and on average have a leg span of 13 centimeters. Some Brazilian black tarantulas can also grow up to 17 centimeters.
An interesting feature about these tarantulas is that the average lifespan of female tarantulas is about 15-20 years. However, male Brazilian black tarantulas can live only 6-7 years. Some male tarantulas have a shorter lifespan and live only 3-4 years.
The Cost of a Brazilian Black Tarantula
These tarantulas are not very expensive. However, they are more expensive than the other native species, the Brazilian giant salmon tarantula. The female tarantulas are more expensive than the male ones.
A fully grown female Brazilian black tarantula will cost you from $80 to $160, depending on the breeder. If you wish to buy an enclosure and a week worth of food from the breeder, the cost will rise up to $300. So if you can spare the extra money, it is better to get the tarantula along with the enclosure and the food, especially if you are a beginner.
How To Properly Take Care of it
A tarantula is an exotic pet and the smaller ones will require special care and attention, especially when it comes to choosing the right diet and enclosure. The following tips will help you take good care of your eight-legged friend.
1. Provide a Suitable Enclosure
We mentioned before that tarantulas are not that big. So a full-grown Brazilian black tarantula can fit nicely and comfortably inside a 5 or 10-gallon tank.
These spiders like to move around, so pick a tank that is long and rectangular instead of square. Keep soil inside the tank where the tarantula will make its nest. After that, to make sure the enclosure gets the right amount of air and light.
2. Provide Necessary Accessories
Tarantulas are wild, exotic creatures. So, if you create a wild environment inside the enclosure they will enjoy it.
Since they are native to forests, you can add small plants for them to climb on and some small ceramic logs and rocks for hiding. This will create a natural environment for them just like the outskirts of Uruguay and Brazil.
3. Ensure Proper Lighting
Lighting is a very important factor when you keep cold-blooded animals as pets. Brazilian black tarantulas live under the shade of large trees.
This means if the enclosure is too bright, it will annoy them, and they might feel agitated. Try to install some dim LED lights that are not too bright. The color spectrum should range from 2000K to 2500K.
4. Humidity and Temperature
You must have the right amount of humidity and temperature inside the enclosure so that the tarantula can live comfortably. The optimal temperature inside the enclosure should be around 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. Make sure the temperature does not fall under 75 degrees or rise higher than 85 degrees.
The enclosure must have a humidity of 60-70%. Install a hydrometer inside the enclosure to check the humidity, if it gets lower than 60%, spray some water inside the enclosure till the humidity reaches 60%.
5. Keep the Enclosure Clean
You also need to keep the enclosure clean, especially after they eat. While eating, they release a substance called a bolus. These boluses contain harmful bacteria which can even endanger your pet tarantula if left unchecked.
You need to remove them as quickly as possible for your pet tarantula to lead a healthy life.
6. Ensure a Balanced Diet
A Brazilian black tarantula does not require food regularly. They can spend weeks with no food.
These tarantulas are insectivores, which means they mostly eat small insects. The insects they love to eat are Dubia roaches, mealworms, crickets, and grasshoppers. Some also prefer eating small lizards like the common house gecko.
Young spiderlings cannot eat large insects and prefer small headless crickets and fruit flies.
Adult Brazilian black tarantulas need to be fed at least 5 insects each week. The young spiderlings need double the amount, about 10-12 insects each week. This will ensure they have a balanced diet.
7. Treatment for Pet Tarantulas
Your Brazilian black tarantula might be very resilient, but it still can suffer from illnesses like dehydration, fungus infection, bacterial infection, and much more.
If you notice your tarantula has a shriveled abdomen, is unwilling to eat for a long time, having bald spots, or moving abnormally, then your pet friend is sick and needs immediate treatment. Take them to a vet who is well skilled in treating tarantulas and get them treated.
Final Thoughts
Brazilian Black Tarantulas are amazing, exotic little creatures. Having an exotic pet will increase the aesthetics of your house as well. Be sure to take care of it regularly if you want to have a pet that will give you company for a long time.
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