Brazilian Red & White Tarantula (Vitalius chromatus) – Live Tarantula for Sale

The Brazilian Red & White Tarantula (Vitalius chromatus) is a bold and impressive South American tarantula admired for its dramatic coloration and powerful feeding response. Known for its vivid red abdominal hairs contrasted with bright white leg banding and a dark body, this large terrestrial species is one of the most visually striking tarantulas in the hobby.

Native to Brazil, the Brazilian Red & White Tarantula grows into a robust spider with thick legs and an impressive leg span. Its dramatic contrast of red, white, and black coloration gives Vitalius chromatus a commanding presence in any tarantula collection.

Because of its energetic feeding behavior and impressive size, the Brazilian Red & White Tarantula is especially popular among hobbyists who enjoy large display tarantulas.

Species Overview

Scientific Name: Vitalius chromatus
Common Name: Brazilian Red & White Tarantula
Type: Terrestrial
Origin: Brazil
Adult Leg Span: 7–8 inches
Temperament: Defensive with strong feeding response
Growth Rate: Fast
Lifespan: Females 15–20+ years, males shorter

Natural History

In the wild, Vitalius chromatus inhabits tropical environments in Brazil where it constructs burrows beneath rocks, roots, and natural debris. These burrows provide protection from predators and help maintain stable environmental conditions.

The Brazilian Red & White Tarantula remains hidden within its burrow during the day and becomes more active at night when it emerges to hunt insects and other small prey moving across the forest floor.

The warm temperatures and moderate humidity of its natural habitat should be replicated in captivity to support healthy growth and natural behavior.

Appearance

The Brazilian Red & White Tarantula is famous for its dramatic coloration and impressive size.

Typical characteristics include:

• bright red abdominal hairs

• bold white banding across the legs

• deep black body coloration

• thick legs and powerful terrestrial body structure

After molting, the red abdominal hairs and white leg markings often appear especially vibrant.

Temperament

Vitalius chromatus is known for having a strong feeding response and alert temperament. When disturbed, the spider may retreat quickly into its hide or display defensive behavior.

Like other New World tarantulas, the Brazilian Red & White Tarantula possesses urticating hairs on the abdomen which it may kick as a defensive mechanism if threatened.

Because of its energetic feeding behavior and impressive size, this species is generally recommended for hobbyists with some tarantula experience.

Enclosure Setup

The Brazilian Red & White Tarantula should be housed in a terrestrial enclosure that provides ample floor space and substrate depth.

Recommended enclosure features include:

• several inches of substrate for burrowing

• cork bark hide or natural shelter

• moderate humidity

• good ventilation

• a shallow water dish

Providing a naturalistic enclosure setup allows Vitalius chromatus to display normal behaviors while remaining comfortable in captivity.

Feeding

Like most tarantulas, Vitalius chromatus feeds primarily on insects such as crickets, roaches, and other feeder insects.

Juveniles may be fed once or twice per week, while adult specimens typically feed every 7–14 days depending on size.

The Brazilian Red & White Tarantula is known for its enthusiastic feeding response and often strikes prey quickly.

Molting and Growth

Tarantulas grow through a process known as molting, where they shed their old exoskeleton and emerge slightly larger.

Before molting, the spider may refuse food and become less active. After molting, the tarantula should be left undisturbed while its new exoskeleton and fangs harden.

Because this species grows relatively quickly, noticeable size increases often occur after molts.

Why Keep the Brazilian Red & White Tarantula?

The Brazilian Red & White Tarantula (Vitalius chromatus) is highly prized among tarantula enthusiasts for several reasons:

• dramatic red, white, and black coloration

• large and impressive adult size

• fast-growing terrestrial tarantula

• powerful feeding response and active behavior

For hobbyists seeking a bold and visually impressive tarantula, the Brazilian Red & White Tarantula is a spectacular addition to any tarantula collection.

Learn More About Tarantula Care

If you're new to keeping tarantulas, see our complete Tarantula Care Guide to learn about enclosure setup, feeding schedules, molting, and species selection.

You can also browse our full selection of Tarantulas for Sale to explore other fascinating tarantula species available at The Defiant Forest.