Invertebrate Interests is authored by Lillie Nyte of Inverts Unlimited
Chaco Golden Knee Grammostola pulchripes
Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula
General Description
Synonyms: Grammostola aureostriata
Common name(s): Chaco golden knee, Chaco stripe knee, Chaco gold stripe
Keeper experience: Beginner
Adult size: 8 inch diagonal leg span
Growth rate: Slow to medium (Reaches maturity in 5 – 8 years)
Lifespan: Males – 5+ years, Females – 20+ years
Type: Terrestrial (Spiderlings are opportunistic burrowers)
Temperament: Calm, docile, and tolerates handling well
Venom: Mild (Unlikely to bite defensively)
Urticating hairs: Yes, but rarely kick hairs
Natural distribution: Gran Chaco region of Paraguay and Argentina
Natural conditions: Hot and semi-arid lowland plains consisting of predominantly deciduous forests and grassland savannas with riverine forests subject to seasonal flooding
Handling Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula
Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula Captive Care
Temperature: Room temperature (low to high 70’s Fahrenheit)
Humidity: Mid-range
Substrate: 3 – 4 inches of relatively dry coco fiber
Prey items: Not picky and will readily consume appropriately sized crickets, roaches, mealworms, and superworms. Prey items should be no bigger than the tarantula’s abdomen.
Miscellany: Good display species as adults will utilize a hide but often remain in the open visible to observation.