This is a specific care sheet for Chaco Golden Knees (Grammostola pulchripes), for more in this genus see Category:Grammostola.

The Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula (Grammostola pulchripes, formerly Grammostola aureostriata), is named after its attractive golden bands on and around its legs. These tarantulas will burrow deep when young but seem to prefer the terrestrial life when they mature. The Chaco Golden Knee makes a great display tarantula, they are very docile and perfect for any beginner. Care is very similar to the Grammostola rosea, except this species will eat more and grow much faster.

Contents [hide] 1 Habitat 1.1 Enclosure 1.2 Substrate 1.3 Temperature 1.4 Humidity 2 Feeding 3 Handling 4 Breeding 5 Caring for a spiderling

Habitat

Enclosure

Chaco Golden Knee Tarantulas would rather adopt a rock as a home than burrow for themselves as they live in dry conditions and burrowing can be difficult. It is recommended that you provide a vivarium of atleast 5 gallons in volume and a carefully prepared collection of rocks that the tarantula can adopt as a home. Ensure that the arrangement is secure to prevent them collpasing on top of your pet.

Substrate

You should cover the bottom of the enclosure with 2-3 inches of peat moss, potting soil or vermiculite.

Temperature

This species is ideal as it is very comfortable living within normal room temperature ranges of between 22-30°C (71.5-86°F). However, to ensure the temperatures are being provided you should monitor them by using accurate thermometers in a few locations within the enclosure.

Humidity

They can be kept in a low-humidity environment of between 60-75%, and this can be achieved by providing a shallow water dish and misting ocassionally as necessary. To successfully maintain the desired humidity conditions for your tarantula you are going to need a hygrometer. A hygrometer is a device used to measure relative humidity within the enclosure.

Feeding

The diet of this tarantula is typically insects such as crickets, grass-hoppers, beetles, moths, mealworms, cockroaches and pinky mice. A staple diet of crickets is fine however it is best to mix things up a little. Typically these pets should be given two weekly feedings with one to three food items. Uneaten prey should be removed after one day to prevent problems and attracting mites. Food must usually be fed live, as dead prey may be rejected or go unnoticed.

Handling

Be gentle, allow the tarantula to walk onto your hand with a push on its abdomen. Chaco Golden Knee Tarantulas rarely bite, but when it does the bite causes swelling and intense pain for several hours, even up to a day. If your spider begins to rear back and raises its front legs in a threatening posture it may feel threatened by you or just be in an irritable mood. Leave it be and try another day, sometimes this is just a particularly moody tarantula.

Breeding

Caring for a spiderlingThis species is fairly easy to breed and produces a large eggsack of between 600-800, which is why you will find a large amount of these spiderlings in petshops.

Spiderlings can live in small jars such as pill tubs with holes drilled into the lid. The substrate can be something that will retain a small amount of moisture to enable a humidity level of 75%.

They should be offered food of small insects such as crickets up to three times a week.