Scientific Name: Nhandu carapoensis

At 16cm in size this is not one of the largest tarantula species but it is impressive because of its extremely hairy, even shaggy appearance. Most of the body is dark brown while the hairs of the abdomen and upper legs are rust-red in colour. In some specimens this is contrasted by those on the lower part of the legs being pale grey.

Did You Know? The word tarantula was originally applied to a group of relatively small European spiders totally unrelated to the large hairy creatures we now associate with the name.

Habitat: These are ground-dwelling spiders inhabiting the rainforests and savannahs of southern Brazil and Paraguay. They do not usually dig a burrow but will utilise an object on the ground, such as a log or rock and make a home site beneath.

Diet: As terrestrial or ground-dwelling spiders, this species feeds almost entirely on large ground-dwelling insects and reptiles. Prey items up to the same size as the spider will be readily taken and quickly overpowered using the fast acting venom.

Reproduction: Like most spiders, the Brazilian red tarantula is a solitary creature for most of its life. Only at mating time will the males seek the company of a female. After a careful courtship involving visual as well as tactile or touch signals, the male will carefully manoeuver the female into a position where he is able to transfer sperm using his palps, the appendages between the front legs. The ends of the palps have little pockets where the sperm is held until it is transferred to the female.