| Special Notices |
Grammostola grossa is a terrestrial species that does best with a simple, secure setup: good floor space, enough substrate to feel anchored, and a hide or starter burrow. This species is generally hardy and forgiving, but I still avoid extremes—never swampy, never bone-dry for long periods, and always well ventilated.
For care, setup, feeding, and show-and-tell videos to see how we keep and feed our tarantulas, check out my YouTube channel here: Urban Tarantulas on YouTube. |
| Care Details |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C). Warmer temperatures usually mean faster growth because they molt more often, though Grammostola species are naturally steady growers. |
| 💧 Humidity |
Moderate humidity works well. Keep part of the substrate lightly moist for smaller specimens, allow good ventilation, and avoid wet, stagnant conditions. |
| 🏠 Housing |
| Babies |
1–4 oz deli cup with needle ventilation and enough substrate to burrow or settle in. FREE container at checkout IF requested; not included otherwise. |
| Juveniles |
Use an enclosure about 2–3x the spider’s body size with good floor space, a hide, and a slightly moist area of substrate. |
| Adults |
Adults do great in a roomy terrestrial enclosure with secure footing, deeper substrate, a hide, and a water dish for larger specimens. |
| General Diet |
| 🍽️ Crickets + roaches are the staple diet, including Dubia, Red Runner, and Lobster roaches. Babies take baby crickets or small roaches. If prey is too big, pre-kill it by crushing the head, leave it for the tarantula, then remove leftovers or bolus later. For super large specimens, an occasional pinky/hopper mouse or feeder lizard can be offered very sparingly; excess calcium can cause constipation/pooping issues. We never use pinhead crickets because they do not provide enough protein. |
| In-depth Facts |
| 🕷️ Latin name / Scientific name |
Grammostola grossa |
| 📛 Common name(s) |
Brazilian Black and White Tarantula, Chaco Giant Black Tarantula, Grammostola grossa |
| 🌡️ Temperature |
75–85°F (24–29°C) |
| 💧 Humidity |
Moderate; lightly moist substrate area with good ventilation, especially for babies and juveniles |
| 📍 Locale |
South America; commonly associated with Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina regions in the hobby |
| 🏷️ Category |
Terrestrial, heavy-bodied, opportunistic burrower with light to moderate webbing |
| 📏 Size |
Females can reach about 7–8 in DLS; males are usually smaller and leggier |
| 🪶 Urticating hairs |
They can, but hardly ever do.. if ever. |
| ⏳ Growth rate |
Slow to medium; steady with consistent feeding and warm, stable conditions |
| 🧭 Life span |
Females may live 20+ years; males usually mature sooner and live a shorter adult life |
| 🍽️ Feeding |
Usually a reliable eater with a strong response once settled. Offer appropriately sized crickets or roaches and remove uneaten prey. |
| 🎯 Recommended levels |
Anyone can own this species. It is a fantastic choice for keepers who want a large, long-lived, impressive terrestrial tarantula with straightforward care. |
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| Safety Disclaimer |
Safety Disclaimer: Tarantula bites are extremely rare, and there are no recorded human fatalities. Venom strength varies by species; Old World tarantulas are usually more potent than New World tarantulas, with Poecilotheria known for especially strong venom. Larger tarantulas may also deliver more venom.
If bitten, stay calm. Most symptoms fade within minutes to hours, though potent species may cause discomfort for up to a week. In 13 years, I’ve only been bitten once, and symptoms were gone after one week.
Handling is at your own risk. I’m not responsible for bites or injuries. Always prioritize your safety and the tarantula’s well-being. |
