Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula

Looks how to spot one

carapace and setae (hair-like bristles)

This large, heavy-bodied tarantula has a dark chocolate-brown or black body and legs, with bright golden-yellow stripes at the joints of each leg, that is where its common name comes from. The whole body is covered in fine, sensitive hairs (setae) that help the spider feel vibrations and scents in the air. The carapace is raised to make room for large chelicerae (mouthparts) and stout fangs.12

Personality what they are like

One of the calmest and most docile tarantulas in the hobby. It moves slowly, rarely flicks urticating hairs and almost never bites. Juveniles can be a bit skittish, but they calm down as they grow. They are active hunters with a strong feeding response, yet they are safe to observe and even handle with care.146

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low activity needs. Provide a secure terrestrial enclosure with deep substrate for burrowing and rearranging. Adults often stay on the surface and do not need a large space, but they enjoy arranging substrate. No exercise required; simply ensure the enclosure is safe and stimulating.5

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming. Keep the enclosure dry with a shallow water dish always available. Remove leftover prey and clean the enclosure occasionally. Handle only when necessary and with great care to avoid falls, as terrestrial tarantulas can be easily injured from a drop.4

Home where they are happiest

Needs a terrestrial (low height, wide floor) enclosure with deep, firm, dry substrate for burrowing. Provide a hide, a shallow water dish and good ventilation. Keep at stable room temperature (roughly 21-27 °C) with moderate humidity. Do not maintain damp substrate. This species is not venomous enough to be dangerous to humans, but like all tarantulas it is venomous; it is legal to keep in most countries, but local regulations should always be checked.42

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Feed a variety of live insects such as crickets, roaches, locusts, grasshoppers and occasionally mealworms or superworms (in moderation). Adults need feeding every 7 to 14 days; juveniles more often. Prey size should be about the length of the spider's body. Always provide fresh water.47

The story where it all began

The Chaco golden knee tarantula was first described by Carl Ludwig Koch in 1842. For many years it was known under the name Grammostola aureostriata (meaning 'golden striped' in Latin), but that name was later revised to Grammostola pulchripes ('beautiful foot'). It comes from the hot, seasonally dry grasslands of Argentina and Paraguay, especially the Gran Chaco. It has been a popular pet since the early days of the tarantula hobby because of its stunning gold-on-black colour and incredibly calm nature. It was once thought to be a variant of the pink zebra beauty (Eupalaestrus campestratus), but is now recognised as a separate, larger species.14

Recognised by the official bits

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