terrabacter terrae terrabacter terrae terrabacter terrae is a species of gram-positive, nonmotile, non-endospore-forming bacteria. cells are long, irregular rods. it was initially isolated from soil mixed with iberian pig hair from spain. the species was first described in 2005, and its name is derived from terrae (of the earth). the species was discovered during a survey for bacteria with keratinase activity. t. terrae was the second species added to the genus terrabacter after the type species, t. tumescens, was added to the novel genus in 1989. terrabacter terrae scientific classification domain: bacteria phylum: actinomycetota class: actinomycetia order: micrococcales family: intrasporangiaceae genus: terrabacter species: t. terrae binomial name terrabacter terraemontero-barrientos et al. 2005 t. terrae can grow in the 15-40 °c range, and is able to hydrolyze keratin.