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Brazilian giant whiteknee tarantula
Acanthoscurria geniculata
A highly popular giant Brazilian tarantula, famous for its white leg bands and rapid growth rate. Extremely voracious and makes an excellent display species.
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Theraphosidae
Genus:Acanthoscurria
Species:Acanthoscurria geniculata
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 80 %
Ambient temperature
24 - 27 °C
Day temperature
26 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Substrate depth
>= 15 cm
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the tropical rainforests and humid forest floors of northern Brazil. It lives in deep burrows, under fallen logs, or at the base of trees, where humidity remains high and stable.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Theraphosidae, subfamily Theraphosinae, genus Acanthoscurria. It is a large-bodied species widely appreciated in the hobby for its genetic hardiness.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily terrestrial and opportunistic. It is active and rarely stays hidden, making it a great display tarantula. While not overly aggressive, it is quick to kick urticating hairs when disturbed.
Morphology: Reaches an impressive leg span of 18-20 cm (7-8 inches). Features a deep black or dark brown base color with striking, clean white bands on its leg joints and reddish hairs on the abdomen.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a terrestrial terrarium measuring at least 16x12x12 inches (40x30x30 cm). Provide a deep layer (3-4 inches / 8-10 cm) of damp coconut fiber or peat moss for burrowing. Include a hide such as a cork bark half-log.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain temperatures of 24-27°C (75-80°F) during the day, with a night drop to 20-22°C (68-72°F). No special lighting or UVB is required; keep the enclosure shaded from bright light.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires moderate to high humidity (70-80%). Keep the substrate damp but not soggy. A shallow water dish must always be present and filled with fresh water.
Feeding and Supplementation: Exceptionally voracious feeder. Offer appropriately sized crickets, roaches (Dubia or red runners), and locusts. Spiderlings grow very fast and require frequent feeding. Supplementation is unnecessary.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Must be housed individually. Any cohabitation will end in cannibalism, except for supervised mating introductions.
Health and Common Diseases: The greatest risk to this heavy-bodied terrestrial spider is a fall; a drop from a short height can rupture its abdomen. Avoid tall enclosures. Urticating hairs can cause severe irritation to skin and eyes.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the tropical rainforests and humid forest floors of northern Brazil. It lives in deep burrows, under fallen logs, or at the base of trees, where humidity remains high and stable.
Origin
Extra-Amazon South America
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 20 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Venom level
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 20 cm. The Herpeton Academy — Acanthoscurria geniculata source reports a maximum adult measurement of 20 cm for this species, recorded as diagonal leg span (DLS). The taxonomic record consulted is Acanthoscurria geniculata. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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