Brazilian Red and White Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

Exoskeleton with urticating hairs

This tarantula has a velvety black body with bold white stripes on its legs, a pale blond carapace that darkens with age, and reddish-orange hairs on its abdomen. Males become duller and leggier after their final moult.14

Personality what they are like

This spider is fast, skittish and defensive for a new world species. It often throws threat poses and flicks irritating urticating hairs when disturbed, so it is best admired from outside the enclosure rather than handled.45

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and active, especially in the evening. It needs a spacious, secure terrestrial enclosure with deep substrate for burrowing, plus hides and objects for webbing.65

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming needed. Keep the enclosure clean, provide fresh water, and avoid unnecessary disturbance to prevent hair flicking. Handle only with extreme care or not at all.52

Home where they are happiest

A terrestrial enclosure that is wider than tall, with a secure lid and good ventilation. Use 10 cm or deeper of soil or coco fibre substrate, a hide, a water dish, and maintain temperatures around 24 to 28°C with humidity between 65 and 80 percent. Keep it singly, as they are solitary and cannibalistic.436

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Feed live insects such as crickets, roaches, locusts and mealworms. Adults may take half a dozen crickets per week or one large roach. Ensure prey is gut-loaded and appropriately sized.46

Company who they like around

Strictly solitary. Never house more than one together, as they will fight and cannibalise. Not a handling species; keepers should observe from a distance. Not listed by CITES, but local rules may apply.63

The story where it all began

This tarantula comes from the tropical forests and savannahs of Brazil, where it lives on or under the forest floor. It has become fairly common in the pet trade, valued for its bold colours and active nature, though its defensive temperament means it suits intermediate keepers more than beginners.15

Recognised by the official bits

Popularity Fairly common in the pet trade1