Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Arachnida
- Order: Araneae
- Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
- Family: Theraphosidae
- Genus: Grammostola
- Species: Grammostola iheringi (Mello‑Leitão, 1923)
Common names
- Brazilian red‑rump tarantula
- Red‑back tarantula (occasionally confused with other species)
Description
Grammostola iheringi is a medium‑to‑large New World tarantula. Adults typically attain a leg span of 12–15 cm (4.7–5.9 in). The carapace and legs are generally a uniform dark brown to black, while the opisthosoma (abdomen) displays a distinctive reddish‑orange to copper‑red coloration, which gives rise to its common name. The setae (hair) covering the body are fine and dense, providing a velvety appearance. Sexual dimorphism is present: mature males are smaller, possess longer legs relative to body size, and develop tibial apophyses (modifications on the first pair of legs) used during mating.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is native to southeastern Brazil, primarily recorded in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. It inhabits subtropical forest margins, savanna‑like “cerrado” environments, and disturbed areas such as gardens and agricultural fields. Specimens are often found in burrows or under leaf litter, where they construct silk‑lined retreats.
Behavior and Ecology
- Lifestyle: Primarily fossorial, G. iheringi spends most of its life in underground burrows but may also create shallow, silk‑lined hideouts in surface debris.
- Activity pattern: Nocturnal; individuals emerge at night to hunt.
- Diet: Opportunistic predator feeding on insects, other arthropods, and occasionally small vertebrates (e.g., lizards). Prey is captured with a rapid forward strike, immobilized with venom, and masticated using external digestion.
- Reproduction: Breeding occurs in the warmer months. The male performs a characteristic courtship “drumming” with its palps and legs. After copulation, the female creates an egg sac containing 300–900 eggs, which she guards until spiderlings disperse. Spiderlings disperse by “ballooning” using silk threads.
- Defense: When threatened, the spider may adopt a threat posture, raising the front legs and displaying the red abdomen. It can deliver a painful bite; the venom is considered medically significant for humans only in terms of localized pain and swelling. G. iheringi also possesses urticating setae on the abdomen, which it can flick toward a predator.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not evaluated Grammostola iheringi; therefore, its global conservation status is currently Data Deficient. Habitat loss due to urban expansion and agriculture may impact local populations, but the species is also commonly cultivated in the pet trade, which may relieve some collection pressure on wild stocks.
Captive Care
Grammostola iheringi is among the more popular tarantulas in the exotic pet hobby because of its relatively docile temperament, easy maintenance, and striking coloration. Recommended husbandry includes:
- Enclosure: 15–30 L (4–8 gal) terrarium with a substrate depth of 5–10 cm (2–4 in) for burrowing.
- Temperature: 22–27 °C (72–81 °F).
- Humidity: 60–70 % relative humidity, with occasional misting.
- Feeding: Live or pre‑killed insects (crickets, roaches, mealworms) offered 2–3 times per week.
- Molting: Provide a hide and maintain stable humidity to facilitate successful ecdysis.
Taxonomic Notes
The species epithet “iheringi” honors Brazilian zoologist Hermann von Ihering (1850–1939). The original description was published by C. Mello‑Leitão in 1923, based on specimens collected in São Paulo state. Subsequent revisions have retained G. iheringi within the genus Grammostola, although phylogenetic studies of Theraphosidae continue to refine inter‑generic relationships.
References
- Mello‑Leitão, C. (1923). Notas sobre aracnídeos (Arachnida). Arquivos da Escola Superior de Agricultura e Veterinária de São Paulo, 1: 155–167.
- Bertani, R. (2001). Revision of the Brazilian tarantula genus Grammostola (Araneae, Theraphosidae). Zoologische Mededelingen, 75(21): 317–332.
- Pérez‑Miles, F. (2020). Theraphosidae (Tarantulas) – Species Database. Natural History Museum, Bern.
(All information reflects the current scientific literature as of June 2026.)