Grammostola grossa

The grasslands and forest margins where Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina meet are home to Grammostola grossa, one of the larger members of its genus. An adult female is a heavy, thickset spider in black-brown, with dense brownish hairs, a pale silvery sheen on the carapace and reddish hairs on the abdomen. It does not rely on bright colour; its appeal lies in its proportions and the quiet presence of a large terrestrial tarantula.

In the wild it shelters under roots, stones, bark and leaf litter, retreating into silk-lined burrows during the cooler months, before a moult and while guarding an egg sac. It is even found on cattle pastures. Grammostola has a reputation for an easy-going nature, and G. grossa fits that picture well. If disturbed it may flick urticating hairs from its abdomen, but it usually just withdraws to its hide. Like the rest of the genus it grows slowly, and females are long-lived, capable of passing 20 years.

An L2 spiderling needs only a small container with a few centimetres of coconut fibre and a little hide. Keep most of the substrate on the drier side, with one section misted regularly so it is never fully dry; the spiderling drinks from droplets on the walls, and a water dish only comes in once it is larger. Room temperature is fine, as this species comes from a subtropical to temperate climate. An adult needs a terrestrial enclosure with 5-7 cm of substrate, a cork hide and good ventilation. Feed crickets or roaches sized to the spider.

Grammostola grossa is a long-term companion that asks for little and rewards you with a steady presence in the enclosure. It makes an excellent first tarantula, especially for someone patient enough to enjoy slow growth and watch a tiny spiderling become an impressive female over the years. Seasoned keepers will appreciate it as a less familiar Grammostola than the usual suspects.