Basic Description

One of the most beautiful tarantula in the hobby. The Grammostola actaeon originated in southern parts of Brazil. This species is one of the most fuzzy species of tarantula its also known as the Brailian Wooly Black Tarantula because of its fuzzy feature. They start out as dark grey with redrump as spiderlings and as they mature their color starts to intensifies. Their dark grey coloration slowly becomes jet black with bluish highlight while their abdomen starts to have a more heart shape pattern with red coloration. However some local have little red rump coloration they are just pure black with mirror patch in their abdomen. From slings to mature individual these specimens are very robust and bulky. They have thick legs, big abdomen, and as they reach adult stage their carapace becomes more massive and define. A real Grammostola actaeon looks like a fluffy black hamster with shades of blue. Between the Grammostola pulchra and the actaeon, this species will look more stocky because of its wooly feature. In addition, they have the most intense color variety out of all the Grammostola species. This species is my favorite from all the Grammostola because of the color and body structure. Eventhought its not as calm as a Grammostola pulchra it makes up with its other attributes. The Grammostola actaeon usually grows up to 6" but with optimal care this species can reach almost 7". This is another species that produce small sac. This species produce big eggs and a small egg count per sac. Their sac usually ranges from 40 to 80 eggs compare to other species of big tarantulas that can produce 500 to 2000 per sac. In addition this species is very hard to breed. Small egg count, slow growth rate, difficult to breed and a high demand for this species makes a pure blood Grammostola pulchra very hard to find.

Controversy

Just like other species that have been hybridized in the hobby there are suspecions that the Grammostola actaeon was also been hybridize. There are rumors that it was mix with Grammostola iheringi. The first specimens that we got in 2002 and 2003 looks very different than the ones that european breeders are producing today. So either they been hybridize or its a different locale. Either way we are working on both variety.

Temperament

Grammostola actaeon is one of the best beginner pet tarantulas. Most individuals are very docile and hardy. They are usually out from their house or burrow which is perfect as a display pet. From 1 - 10 being ten the most aggressive this specie is 2 to 3 in most individuals. I have raised 100s of individuals and they have the best personality from all the species of tarantulas I worked with. Most of them are slow and have a very sweet demeanor but some are skittish but with regular handling they can calm down. In addition, I never witness any type of aggression from this species which is why they are my top recommendation for first time tarantula hobbyist.

Diet

In captivity they usually feed on crickets, roaches, mice, small reptiles and amphibians. They only eat once or twice a week. Depending on the size of the abdomen of the tarantula, they can survive for weeks without eating.

Housing

Tarantulas can be house in different size containers. 1 inch tarantula can be house in a deli cup. 3-5 inch can be house in a 5 gallon tank. 6 inch and above can be house in a 10 gallon tank. They can also be house in a shoe box to save space.

Tarantulas need moist substrate so that their book lungs will not dry out. Any of the following substrate can be use, vermiculite, sphagnum moss, cocofiber and orchid bark, top soil, black forest moss and clay soil.

Water dish is required, not a lot of people know but tarantulas drink too. Make sure that the water dish is clean at all times to stop the development of bacteria in the tarantula cage.

Growth Rate

This specie grow rate from 1 - 10, 10 being the fastest and 1 being the slowest. This specie grow about 4 out of 10 speed, with daily feeding they can reach breedable size in 4 years in captivity which is power feeding but with regular feeding of once every 2 weeks they can get reach adulthood in 8 to 10 years. The life span of a tarantula is connected to its molt count.

Special Feature

Very massive in stature, one of the most docile tarantula in the hobby, jet wooly black color with bluish highlight when they are freshly molted.