Meet the animal
This profile covers Grammostola pulchra. Some trade animals have uncertain identification or may be G. quirogai. Keep uncertainty visible in the records rather than treating every Brazilian black label as verified.
Before you choose one
Plan slow growth and a potentially decades-long female. Ask for stage, supported sexing, meals and moult history. Keep one observation animal; a reputation for docility does not guarantee safe handling.
Set up its home
The proposed custom adult layout is 60 × 40 × 30 cm for an 18 cm leg-span planning case. Confirm the build and ventilation. Provide deep stable substrate and a hide, keeping free drop around one leg span or less. Prefer secure drilled ventilation to exposed wire.
Temperature and safe heating
The firsthand keeper guide describes room conditions around 20–23°C. Measure winter minima and summer maxima before purchase. If warmth is needed, control it and retain cooler shelter. Avoid a hot basking lamp or unregulated floor mat beneath a burrow.
Daylight, shade and UV
Provide ordinary daytime ambient light, dark shelter and darkness overnight. The guidance used here does not establish a UVB requirement or a numerical UVI target. Keep observation lighting from warming or constantly exposing the retreat.
Water, moisture and airflow
Established adults can have mostly dry exposed substrate with a modestly moist area and clean drinking water. Avoid a completely dried-out refuge. Small spiderlings require closer hydration checks. Do not mist the animal directly or saturate the enclosure to reach a number.
Food and nutrition
Use suitable cultured insects and space meals according to the spider’s condition. Adults can fast for extended periods; record refusal and check the environment rather than repeatedly adding prey. Remove leftovers before moulting and wait for hardened body and fangs afterwards.
Behaviour and handling
Leave webbed and closed retreats intact and keep the spider alone. Avoid handling, falls and provoked hair-kicking. Food refusal without declining condition can occur normally, but still belongs in the care record.
Health and life stages
Injury, persistent weakness, dehydration concerns or failed moulting need experienced invertebrate-veterinary advice. Check posture, water access and condition from outside. Keep identity uncertainty with the health history and avoid chemical treatments or forced moulting.
Buying and keeping records
Choose documented captive-bred stock with supported identification. A black-spider retail label does not settle the pulchra–quirogai distinction. Confirm current movement rules and a workable specialist referral before purchase.
Your care routine
Test housing security and water access before arrival. Check conditions and remove waste and prey remains regularly. Preserve retreat structure during cleaning. Leave the last meal and moult status with holiday instructions, including the animal’s identification uncertainty.
YOUR CHECKLIST
0 of 8 ticked
Brazilian black tarantula — Grammostola pulchra
Care hub: wildformexotics.co.uk/animals/brazilian-black-tarantula/
Ticks are kept only while this page is open. Print or download a copy before leaving. Completing the checklist does not establish that an animal is well or an installation is safe.
Use these reminders alongside the full guide. Adjust feeding and maintenance to your animal’s condition and measured enclosure conditions.
Sources
- Brazilian black tarantula firsthand husbandry (The Tarantula Collective, Richard Stewart)
- General tarantula care guide (The Spider Shop)
- UK species livestock listing (dated observation, not stock guarantee) (Repxotics)
- Guidance on section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (GOV.UK / Defra)
- Import of pet invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles: IIN (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
- Import or export endangered species: check if you need a CITES permit (GOV.UK / APHA and Defra)
Equipment checklist
Equipment examples for Brazilian black tarantula, grouped by care need. Read the checks before choosing. Shop links are Amazon affiliate links. Items without a verified Amazon match have no shop link.
Plan the whole setup: These examples cover only part of the setup. Meet every care need and test the finished enclosure before arrival. Suitable equipment you already own may meet the need; optional tools are labelled.
Check each item for your animal’s size and life stage, safe access, compatible controls and measured conditions. The list does not certify an installation.
Adult enclosure, substrate and shelter
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Confirm the proposed 60 x 40 x 30 cm build and actual ventilation before ordering. Fit deep stable substrate and a hide while keeping unprotected fall height low. Add the substrate, hides, cover and secure supports described in the care guide. The enclosure alone does not provide them.
Temperature and safe heating
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model: PT2472
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Lighting, shade and UV
Read the care guidance for this need
Existing lighting may already provide a suitable day-night cycle. If you need extra lighting, use a switch or timer confirmed as compatible with its exact load, including any UVB ballast.
Water, humidity and ventilation
Read the care guidance for this need
Exo Terra Water Dish Small
Model: PT2801
Provides accessible drinking water for a suitably sized established spider without forcing high enclosure humidity.
Fit check: PT2801 measures 5.5 × 6.5 × 3 cm externally. Check the usable basin, stability, safe water depth and easy entry and exit for your animal. Outside measurements do not establish a soaking fit. Clean and refresh water at least daily and whenever soiled. This is a small drinking dish, not an adult snake, dragon, frog or tortoise basin. Tiny spiderlings may need a smaller receptacle.
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Model: PT2477
Optional air-humidity monitor
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Fit check: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.
Also plan for: Provide the drinking water, damp retreats or safe water area described in the care guide. A sprayer and humidity gauge cannot provide these on their own.
Feeding and nutrition
Read the care guidance for this need
Also plan for: Use suitable cultured insects and space meals according to the spider’s condition.
Equipment notes: Temperature and safe heating
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Thermometer
Model PT2472 · Remote air probe and minimum/maximum memory; place away from direct lamp radiation. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Records minimum and maximum air temperatures near a shelter your animal uses, to help you check the temperature plan.
Check before choosing: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.
Equipment notes: Water, moisture and airflow
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Water Dish Small
Model PT2801 · Small drinker for appropriately sized animals; not a large soaking basin. Reduce water depth when needed. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Provides accessible drinking water for a suitably sized established spider without forcing high enclosure humidity.
Check before choosing: PT2801 measures 5.5 × 6.5 × 3 cm externally. Check the usable basin, stability, safe water depth and easy entry and exit for your animal. Outside measurements do not establish a soaking fit. Clean and refresh water at least daily and whenever soiled. This is a small drinking dish, not an adult snake, dragon, frog or tortoise basin. Tiny spiderlings may need a smaller receptacle.
EQUIPMENT TO CONSIDER
Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Optional air-humidity monitor
Model PT2477 · Remote humidity probe; readings describe air at the probe, not substrate moisture. Check the supplier’s current price and availability, and confirm that the item suits your installation.
Tracks the air humidity cycle near an occupied area.
Check before choosing: Place the remote humidity sensor inside the enclosure, away from direct heat. The reading describes air at that point, so record its position and check other areas where needed. Inspect the substrate and damp retreats directly, and keep ventilation clear. A humidity reading cannot show whether an animal has drinking water.