The species was described in 1871 by the Austrian Anton Ausserer, but only received its trivial name Guarani giant Tarantula in the 21st century by the anthropologist Nils Seethaler.

The name was given to the spider because of its abundance in the Guarani settlement area, whose agriculture and the associated clearing of forests extended its range.

In colder months and during moulting and brood care, it retreats into living burrows, which it lines with spider silk.

[6] Habitat changes by humans due to livestock, agriculture and timber farming have allowed this species to spread.

They have been offered in specialised trade since the 1980s, first under the false species name Grammostola pulchripes.