Grammostola quirogai (Uruguayan Black Beauty)

Grammostola quirogai is a big, terrestrial tarantula native to Uruguay, described fairly recently (2015). It’s a close relative of the well-known Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes), but instead of the bold yellow knee stripes, this species has a darker, more subtle look with bronzy or reddish highlights across the body and legs. Under good lighting, that subtle shimmer really stands out and gives the spider a classy appearance.

Like other Grammostola, this species is hardy, slow-growing, and very long-lived—females can live 20+ years. They’re usually calm and tolerant of disturbance, though they can kick hairs if annoyed. Most individuals have that classic Grammostola temperament: laid-back, often sitting out in the open, but sometimes choosing to burrow or hang out in a hide if given enough substrate.

Care is simple and forgiving. They prefer a dry setup with several inches of substrate for digging, a water dish, and a hide. Good ventilation is important, but humidity isn’t something you need to fuss over. Their feeding response is steady but not overly aggressive—they’ll happily take down crickets, roaches, or worms, but can also go on fasts from time to time, which is normal for the genus.