Grammostola pulchra

Brazilian black tarantula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Genus:	Grammostola
Species:	G. pulchra
Binomial name
Grammostola pulchra (Mello-Leitão, 1921)

Grammostola pulchra is a terrestrial tarantula native to Brazil and the north of Uruguay.

Description

Commonly known as the Brazilian black, mature specimens are almost entirely black. Although like most new world tarantulas it possesses urticating hairs. If provoked, they would much rather flee than attack. Their venom is not as irritating as many other species of tarantulas. The Brazilian Black is a slow grower, taking up to eight years to reach maturity, reaching up to 18 cm (7 in). As with all tarantulas, females of this species will almost always outlive males by many years. As a juvenile in captivity, this species tends to burrow when given the opportunity, but it is not detrimental to their health if they cannot. Dry substrate is key to keeping this species comfortable. Most members of this species are hearty eaters in comparison to other members of the Grammostola genus. They thrive on mealworms, crickets, roaches, and other small insects.

Pet trade

The species is desirable in the pet trade because of their females' long life and reputation for being docile and gentle in temperament, as well as for its appealing dark coloration. These traits make them rather expensive when buying from a breeder. It is said to have a reduced tendency to kick urticating hairs off when handled, which adds to its desirability as a pet. Many times, they do not spread urticating hairs around their homes, as observed in other tarantula species. Because of a ban on the export of wild caught specimens and its slow growth, mature females (preferred because of their long life) are generally expensive.

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