Brazilian black and white tarantula (Acanthoscurria brocklehursti)

Short answers

Brazilian black and white tarantula: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×40×40 cm (floor area over height, deep substrate).

Brazilian black and white tarantula: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Brazilian black and white tarantula: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed (nocturnal).

Brazilian black and white tarantula: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: females 12–20 years, males 3–5 years.

Brazilian black and white tarantula: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

65–75 %

UVB

No UVB needed (nocturnal)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×40×40 cm (floor area over height, deep substrate)

Substrate

A coco humus or peat and soil mix, 8–12 cm deep; one corner slightly damp, a water bowl

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts)

Feeding interval

adults approx. 1×/week or every 10–14 days, juveniles 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–23 cm leg span (body ~8–9 cm)

Life expectancy

females 12–20 years, males 3–5 years

Origin

Brazil

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no special registration duties

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing. Solitary and cannibalistic; no pair/group housing. The reason is not conflict but predation: these animals take anything that fits in their mouths, and a second animal in the enclosure is included.

Notes

On the naming: A. brocklehursti is scientifically a junior synonym of A. theraphosoides. In the trade a larger, more clearly banded form also goes under this name — what you buy is not always the same animal. Otherwise as A. geniculata: a keen feeder, urticating hairs, and no handling.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Giant white knee tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata) – Intermediate
• Amazon birdeater (Iridopelma hirsutum) – Intermediate
• Arizona blonde tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Beginner
• Pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – Beginner
• Cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) – Expert
• Gooty sapphire ornamental tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) – Expert
• Peruvian blue tarantula (Thrixopelma cyaneolum) – Beginner
• Singapore blue tarantula (Omothymus violaceopes) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Brazilian black and white tarantula (Acanthoscurria brocklehursti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×40×40 cm (floor area over height, deep substrate)), substrate (A coco humus or peat and soil mix, 8–12 cm deep; one corner slightly damp, a water bowl), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.