Brazilian whiteknee tarantula

Whitebanded Tarantula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Suborder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Theraphosidae
Genus:	Acanthoscurria
Species:	A. geniculata
Binomial name
Acanthoscurria geniculata (Koch, 1841)
Synonyms
Mygale geniculata Scurria geniculata

The Whitebanded Tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata), is a species of tarantula native to forests of Brazil. It is commonly referred to as the whiteknee tarantula, giant whiteknee tarantula, giant white knee tarantula or Brazilian giant whiteknee tarantula as a homage to its brilliant black and white banded legs. This is a medium-large species, fast growing and taking up to 3-4 years to reach a mature legspan of 8.5 inches for females, slightly less for males.

It is a very fast-growing spider, and due to this, very hungry and greedy.

Although it can burrow, it often shows itself, and occasionally will climb up the walls of an enclosure in captivity.

A terrarium needs to be big, and wider than it is high (Minimum: 30 cm high, 40 cm wide, 40 cm long). A special substrate, or a mixture of clay, earth, and sand may be filled to several inches high so that the spider can make tunnels although it likely will not do so. A place to hide should be offered, for example a piece of wood. A bowl with water needs to be supplied. No hard or pointy objects should be placed next to the wall since the spider is an insecure climber and may fall. Should a whiteknee fall on a hard object, its abdomen may split open, which in most cases will lead to the spider's death. If found, a small wound can be treated with talcum powder to aid the clotting process or treated with a liquid bandage or superglue.

Whitebanded tarantulas have been much prized as pets, due to their size, hardiness, and striking coloration. They are moderately defensive, and their urticating hairs can be quite irritating to human skin. These spiders, like many un-domesticated pets, can bite when provoked. Fortunately because they have urticating hairs, biting is typically not their first line of defense. Their venom is not considered medically significant, but due to their large size the puncture damage can be extensive.

Photos

• 

  Baby. Coin size is 15mm.

• 
• 
• 

External links

• Caring for your Whiteknee
• Photograph of captive A. geniculata, with advice on handling these creatures
• Photos of Acanthoscurria geniculata and more Acanthoscurria species in tarantulas gallery.