Basic Description

One of the most under rated tarantula in the hobby. The Grammostola alticeps has very similar characteristics with Grammostola pulchra and some people mislabel this species as pulchra because of its close resemblance to the species. The Grammostola alticeps is characterize by a black color on its carapace and abdomen with redish hair trickling down its legs. During their spideling stage this tarantula only has a brown color and as they apporach juvinile stage they start to change color from brown to grey. As they get older they become more black in coloration and their legs will start to have reddish highlight which is the main way to identify this species from other black Grammostola. For an untrained eye this can become more difficult usually people who mislabeled this just ID them as pulchra since pulchra is the most popular black Grammostola in the hobby. In addition, they originated from Paraguay mainly in the Gran Chaco region but can also be found in Brazil and Uruguay. This species is also has a stocky stature but not as massive as other Grammostola species. From spiderlings to mature individual most of them are heavy build. They are big tarantulas that can reach 6"+ with optimal care. Overall, this species will stay brown in the early stage of its life until they hit their mid stage from then on their color will just get better and better. If you have the patience to wait for them to pass their brown stage, it will be very rewarding to witness their transformation. Once they reach their mature coloration this species can compete with other Grammostola in terms of features and beauty. Futhermore, this species produce medium egg count per sac. Their sac usually ranges from 150 to 250 eggs compare to other species of big tarantulas that can produce 500 to 2000 per sac. Despite being in the hobby for so long this species is very hard to breed. hybridization with other Grammostola, slow growth rate, difficult to breed and not enough people working with this species, makes a pure blood Grammostola alticeps very hard to find. (we are the only few in the US who has a clean bloodline of Grammostola alticeps)

Controversy

As I mentioned above this species has been mistaken and imported as pulchra in the pass which makes it hard to find a clean blood line in the hobby. An adult alticeps will look very similar to a pulchra for an untrained individual.

Temperament

Grammostola alticeps is another 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 1 to 2 in most individuals. I have raised 100s of individuals and they have the best personality from all the species of tarantulas I worked with. They move very slow and have a very sweet demeanor. 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 black color with reddish highlight on their legs.