Chaco Golden Knee (G. pulchripes)

The Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula, scientifically known as Grammostola pulchripes, is a captivating species native to the vast plains of the Chaco region in South America. Renowned for its stunning appearance and unique behaviors, this tarantula is a popular choice among arachnid enthusiasts.

The Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula displays a striking combination of colors on its exoskeleton, featuring rich shades of black, brown, and gold. Its cephalothorax is adorned with intricate patterns that add to its allure. However, it is the distinctive golden hairs on its legs that give this tarantula its common name, providing a striking contrast against its dark body.

Known for its docile nature, the Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula is often considered an ideal pet for tarantula enthusiasts. It typically exhibits a calm and relaxed demeanor, rarely displaying aggressive behavior unless provoked. When threatened, it may flick urticating hairs from its abdomen as a defense mechanism, causing irritation to potential predators.

This tarantula species constructs elaborate burrows in the wild, which serve as its home and hunting ground. It spends much of its time hidden inside its burrow, emerging at night to search for prey. Insects and small invertebrates form the primary diet of the Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula, which captures its prey by ambushing or actively hunting.

TYPE
New World - Terrestrial

SCIENTIFIC NAME
Grammostola pulchripes

ORIGIN
Thailand

HABITAT
Sling- Sling box or 16oz deli cup
Juvenile - 7x4x4 enclosure
Sub-Adult - 9x6x6 enclosure, 2 ½ or 5 gallon tank
Adult - 12x8x8 enclosure or 10 gallon tank
Provide them with a cork bark hide, water dish, a little sphagnum moss (optional) and straight coco fiber. However a substrate like jungle mix or creature soil which is mainly peat moss, a little soil and a small amount of sand. Coco fiber works very well and is the least expensive.

DIET
Roaches, crickets and mealworms is our recommended foods. However, superworms are also acceptable when they reach adulthood.

TEMPERATURE
68-78F, heating generally isn’t a concern with this species, and they do well at room temperature.

HUMIDITY
50%-60%, slings should stay on lightly moist substrate, adults should have a water dish and a corner of their enclosure that goes through a wet/dry cycle, moistening the substrate and then leaving it alone until it dries out.

ADULT SIZE
Adults can reach up to 8" diagonal leg span.

LIFESPAN
5-25 years (Males 5-10 years, with females drastically outliving them at 25+ years)

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
We do not recommend keeping tarantulas as they will cannibalize each other. Its best to keep tarantulas in individual enclosures.