Acanthoscurria geniculata - Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula
Acanthoscurria geniculata - Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula
Acanthoscurria geniculata - Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula
Acanthoscurria geniculata - Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula

Acanthoscurria geniculata - Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula

$350.00 
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URBAN TARANTULAS
Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula
Acanthoscurria geniculata

Acanthoscurria geniculata is a large Brazilian terrestrial tarantula famous for its deep black coloration, crisp white leg bands, and powerful feeding response. Often visible in the open once settled, the Brazilian Whiteknee combines dramatic adult size with bold patterning and fast growth. Its energetic food response and willingness to use urticating hairs make secure, hands-off maintenance especially important.

Special Notices

Expect an enthusiastic feeding response. Use feeding tools, open the enclosure carefully, and keep maintenance deliberate because this large terrestrial species can move quickly when food or disturbance triggers a response.

Starting with a baby? A FREE sling container is available if requested at checkout. It is not automatically included.

Visit my Urban Tarantulas YouTube channel for care, setup, feeding, and show-and-tell videos to see how we keep and feed our tarantulas.
Care Details

🌡️ Temperature: A practical captive range is about 72–80°F (22–27°C). Stable room temperatures in this range work well; avoid sustained overheating and sudden temperature swings.

💧 Humidity: Maintain slightly moist lower substrate with a drier surface, good cross-ventilation, and constant access to clean water. This Brazilian terrestrial appreciates more moisture than arid-adapted species, but the enclosure should never remain saturated or stagnant.
🏠 Housing

Babies / Slings: Use a secure ventilated container with enough substrate to dig, a starter retreat, and lightly moist lower layers. Offer very small prey, keep vertical space limited, and provide a small water source when practical.

Juveniles: Increase floor space as growth accelerates, while providing several inches of compactable substrate, a snug hide, moderate moisture below the surface, a water dish, and minimal fall distance for this heavy-bodied terrestrial.

Adults: Provide a spacious terrestrial enclosure with substantial floor area, deep substrate, a sturdy retreat, a large water dish, and good ventilation. Keep overhead clearance low because falls can injure a heavy-bodied adult.
🍽️ General Diet

Offer appropriately sized crickets and suitable roaches such as Dubia, Red Runner, or Lobster roaches. Slings can take very small live prey or portions of pre-killed prey when needed, while juveniles and adults readily accept proportionally larger invertebrate prey.

Adjust portions and frequency according to life stage, abdomen condition, and feeding response rather than following a rigid schedule. Remove uneaten prey and boluses, and stop offering live feeders when a molt appears imminent.
In-depth Facts
🕷️ Scientific Name Acanthoscurria geniculata (C. L. Koch, 1841) View Acanthoscurria geniculata in the World Spider Catalog Explore current taxonomy, distribution, and scientific references.
📛 Common Names Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula; Giant Whiteknee Tarantula.
🌡️ Temperature About 72–80°F (22–27°C), with stable room temperatures preferred.
💧 Humidity Slightly moist lower substrate, drier surface, good ventilation, and continuous access to clean water.
📍 Locale Brazil.
🏷️ Category Terrestrial and opportunistically burrowing, with light to moderate webbing.
📏 Adult Size Females: Approximately 7–8.5 in (18–22 cm) DLS.
Males: Approximately 6–7.5 in (15–19 cm) DLS.
DLS means diagonal leg span. These are general species notes, not the size of the specimen offered.
🪶 Urticating Hairs Yes—if disturbed, they can flick urticating hairs as a natural defense. Individual responses vary.
⏳ Growth Rate Fast; slings and juveniles can put on size quickly under appropriate captive care.
🧭 Lifespan Females: Approximately 12–15 years in captivity.
Males: Approximately 3–5 years total lifespan in captivity.
Captive keeper estimates of total lifespan, not years remaining after purchase.
🍽️ Feeding Crickets and suitable roaches are readily accepted; adjust portions by life stage and body condition and use caution around the species' strong feeding response.
🎯 Recommended Level A rewarding choice for keepers who enjoy large, fast-growing terrestrial tarantulas and are comfortable with strong feeding responses and urticating hairs.
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Safety Disclaimer
Tarantulas can bite. Enjoy observing your tarantula and use secure transfer methods during maintenance. Handling is at your own risk. Always prioritize your safety and the tarantula’s well-being. Avoid direct contact with urticating hairs and use deliberate, secure maintenance around this species' strong feeding response.