Giant White Knee Tarantula

Acanthoscurria geniculata

The giant white knee tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata), often called the Brazilian whiteknee, is a large terrestrial tarantula from Brazil. It has a dark body with bold pale bands on the leg joints, giving the knees their common-name contrast. This spider is a strong feeder and grows to impressive size, but it is also capable of defensive kicking hairs and quick threat displays. In the wild it uses burrows or sheltered ground retreats in humid tropical habitats.

Captive care calls for secure terrestrial housing, enough substrate for digging, a hide, a water dish, moderate warmth, and humidity managed without stagnant wet conditions. Feeding should match size and molt cycle; overfeeding can leave heavy spiders vulnerable to falls or molt trouble. Handling is discouraged because the spider can bolt, fall, bite, or release irritating hairs. Breeders introduce mature males carefully and monitor egg sacs, spiderling feeding, and molts. Buyers should prefer captive-bred animals when available and understand that a large tarantula is a long-term invertebrate commitment.