Why Should You Choose Brazilian Black Tarantula As a Pet?

The Brazilian black Tarantula, with the scientific name Grammostola pulchra, is a species native to Brazil. It is most sought after as a pet as it has a shiny black color and long, hairy legs. These creatures are night hunters and use their sensory powers to feel vibrations signaling prey close by in their territory.

This species of spider loves eating crickets, lizards, mice, mealworms. They are no web weavers like their cousins and live in burrows, patiently waiting for their prey.

First Spotted in Brazil

The Tarantulas were first spotted in Brazil in 1921 and documented by zoologist Candido Firmino de Mello-Leitao. These gentle creatures make great pets as they are docile and sport a smooth body, and females outlive males. They are docile and never retaliate when threatened, and would instead scramble away.

This trait is what probably makes the Brazilian black Tarantula much sought after among pet owners. With restrictions on capturing black Tarantulas in the wild, the prices of these lovable creatures tend to remain high.

Features of a Black Tarantula

Life span:

The average life span of a female Black Tarantula is 20 years, and that of a male is only five years. That is why females are more in demand and command a higher price in the market.

Average Length:

A fully grown Brazilian black Tarantula measures 6 to 7 inches in length.

The growth rate of both male and female Tarantulas is slow to medium.

Rearing a Black Tarantula as a Pet

A black Tarantula likes to be left alone as it is a solitary creature by nature and loves to be by itself in a pet enclosure. However, during the mating season, they look for the company of the opposite sex. The mating season falls in the summer, between June and September. It is always the male Tarantula that approaches the female that seems to be interested.

After a brief courting, the female allows the male to deposit its sperm in the receptacle situated below its abdomen. It takes 2 to 3 weeks for the eggs to form, and a batch of eggs runs into hundreds. Eggs hatch into spiderlings naturally, and at least half of the lot survives. You may breed Tarantulas for sale as it is legal to breed them in captivity.

Ensure that you create a pet enclosure at least 2 to 3 times the length and width of this lovable pet’s leg span. If you prefer round enclosures, the diameter should be two to three times the span. Always feed insects that are much smaller in size than the Black Tarantula.

Handling Brazilian Tarantulas

You need to handle your pet Tarantulas carefully as their bite causes immense pain and may cause local cramps or muscle spasms in some cases. If bitten by a pet Tarantula, you need to seek medical treatment to ease the pain and prevent complications. Although most spider species are harmless, according to a research study, delay in treatment can lead to complications.

Remember not to feed your pet Tarantula every day. It is enough if you feed it 5 to 8 insects of prey in a month, as the Tarantula eats once in 3 to 4 days. You may offer feeds on alternate days for the little Tarantulas (spiderlings), one or two tiny insects. It is interesting to watch your pet Tarantula grab and eat its prey. It firmly holds its prey with its hairy legs and injects digestive enzymes into it with its sharp fangs before gobbling it up.

Summing it Up

Black Tarantulas make great pets, and they are sought after for their soft, shiny black body. While Tarantulas are considered harmless, it is advisable to keep their enclosures away from the reach of kids.