Argentine Brown Tarantula (Latin name: Grammostolagrossa), also known as Pampas Giant Red, is native to the subtropical grasslands of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It is one of the medium-sized species in the genus Grammostola. Coming from the Pampas, it is not a well-known pet bird spider species and has low visibility in the pet market. Occasionally, it appears at a high price. The color of the small juveniles is pink, which is almost the same for all species in this genus. Simply put, they look like juvenile red roses.
The habitat of Argentine Brown Tarantula may overlap with other species in the same genus, such as Brazilian Black and Brazilian Giant Gold. In the wild, they occupy the burrows of other small animals, but their own burrowing ability is not strong. They do not usually dig in captivity and are typical terrestrial pet bird spiders. As adults, they have a leg span of 15-16 cm. Although there is little difference between the color of small juveniles and rose juveniles, when they reach 5-6 cm and show adult colors, the silver-gray hair covering the dark red exoskeleton is still very distinctive.
The recommended temperature is 25-27°C and the humidity should be around 50%. It is suggested to use relatively dry peat and coconut bricks as substrate. Overall, they are a docile and very hardy species, suitable for beginners. If you are looking for a rare species for beginners, this is a good choice.
Their habitat may overlap with other species in the same genus, such as Brazilian Black and Brazilian Giant Gold. In the wild, they occupy the burrows of other small animals, but they are not strong diggers themselves. They usually do not dig in captivity and are typical terrestrial pet tarantulas.
For those who love keeping pet spiders, it is recommended to raise Argentine Brown, the easiest spider to care for. Although spiders cannot bond with humans like cats and dogs, they also do not require time and effort to take care of. That's why many busy people enjoy keeping spiders.
1. Emaciation Disease
When you find that the spider's body surface becomes dull and the skin starts to become dry and yellow, it is likely that emaciation disease has occurred. This condition is generally caused by the spider not eating well, leading to malnutrition.
2. Intestinal Inflammation
Contrary to emaciation disease, this is caused by overeating. The owner keeps feeding the spider, or feeds it with food at a low temperature, which can cause abdominal distension and abdominal pain in the spider, eventually leading to intestinal inflammation.
3. Constipation
The cause of constipation is mostly due to lack of water. In addition to eating, spiders also need water intake. If the owner only feeds the spider but does not give it water to drink, the water in the food cannot provide the spider with the necessary moisture.
4. Mold Infestation
In particular, in the southern regions, the high temperature and humidity in the summer easily lead to bacterial invasion of the spider's body surface. The spider's joints become stiffer and its body becomes more moist, providing a suitable environment for bacteria to survive and reproduce, resulting in the appearance of mold spots on the spider.
5. Parasites
Parasites can be said to be the most disgusting disease for spiders. If it is small insects, it's not too bad, but those rampant parasites can crawl on the spider's body, which looks very disgusting. Besides affecting the spider's rest, they may also carry other viruses, causing multiple infections and posing a threat to the spider's life.
Temperature: It is best to control it between 25-30, and the temperature difference between day and night should not be too large. Pay attention to cooling and preventing heatstroke in summer, and pay attention to warming and keeping warm in winter to ensure the healthy life of the juvenile tarantula.
Humidity: Moderate humidity should be maintained at around 65. Low humidity can easily cause dehydration in juvenile tarantulas, leading to emaciation and death. If the humidity is too high, juvenile tarantulas are prone to edema and death. If the humidity is too high, juvenile tarantulas are also prone to edema and Aspergillus.
Ventilation: Good ventilation can make the juvenile tarantula's body strong, reduce diseases, and safely molt. Air pollution, humidity, and stuffiness are the main causes of death in juvenile tarantulas.
Food: The feeding of spiders mainly consists of small animals such as yellow mealworms and small earthworms. If conditions permit, artificial formulated feed can also be used.
Lighting: First of all, the lighting should be sufficient. Under the conditions, it can be taken outside for exposure to light. (Spiders do not like light, so there should be a shaded place when exposed to light to ensure the safety of spiders). The windows should be frequently opened in normal times, but direct sunlight should be avoided.
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