Fauna
Arachnid

Brazilian Black

Grammostola pulchra

Also known as Brazilian Black Tarantula, Uruguayan Black Tarantula

Brazilian black tarantulas are renowned for their velvety, pitch-black coloration and famously calm temperament, making them long-lived favorites among arachnid enthusiasts. Native to the grassland and forest regions of southern Brazil and Uruguay, these terrestrial spiders spend their days burrowed beneath leaf litter or occupying abandoned rodent burrows. Slow to mature, females can survive for over twenty years while serving as important generalist predators of insects and small invertebrates.

TerrestrialBurrowingNocturnal
Brazilian Black reference
André Karwath aka Aka / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCrickets, Cockroaches, Beetles
Predators
  • Tarantula hawks
  • Small mammals
  • Large birds
ThreatsHabitat destruction and illegal overcollection for the pet trade
HabitatsGrasslands, savannas, subtropical forest floors
Life spanFemales 20–25 years; males 6–8 years
Classification
  1. FamilyTheraphosidae
  2. SpeciesGrammostola pulchra
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Possesses mild venom and flickable urticating hairs; observe from a safe distance without handling.
Why it is dangerous
Delivers a painful bite with mild venom comparable to a bee sting, and kicks microscopic urticating hairs that irritate skin and eyes.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by its uniform jet-black velvety appearance, stocky body, and lack of leg striping.
What to do
Never press or corner the spider; use a cup and card if relocation is necessary.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Use a red-light flashlight at night to spot activity without startling the spider.
  • Avoid Handling: Refrain from direct contact to prevent hair flicking or defensive bites.
  • Burrow Respect: Leave webbed silk silk burrows and overturned logs untouched.
Related species
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