Giant whiteknee (Acanthoscurria geniculata) Quick stats: Type: Terrestrial, may burrow some Size (approx): Various (see molting section for specifics) Feeding: Large crickets, approprialtely sized roaches, zoophobas, anything that moves, etc. Enclosure: Aquariums, rubbermaid tubs, pet pals. Substrate: Bed-a-beast, peat/vermiculite Furnishings: Cork bark shelter, water dish Temp/Humidity: 80-84°F (except one male at 70-74°), 60-75% humidity Temperment: Stubborn, hair kicker, not very aggressive, per se, but may mistake anything for food Recieved from: Arachnocentric on 01/18/2000, 12/06/2000 A. geniculata's photo album

Just after her 09/07/2000 Molt... Awesome.

Species Information: Kuni was purchsed from Arachnocentric at the same time as Raul (Brachypelma boehmei). Also, a group of males and females of various sizes were purchased from Arachnocentric on 12/06/2000 for the purposes of breeding. Common names include the Giant Brazilian Whiteknee, Brazillian Black and White Stripe and Santarem Pink Haired Birdeater. I believe there is some overlap with the common names of some other species. As the name would suggest, this spider is native to Brazil. They are somewhat of a dry, scrubland burrowing species and will make a burrow near some natural feature like a rock, or a tree. They are really desireable because of their size (they can supposedly reach 7-9 inches in legspan) and beauty (most of the tarantulas that get that big aren't as pretty as this one.) They can be somewhat feisty and hair kickers, but I wouldn't describe them as terribly aggressive. There is some great info on this species at petbugs.com.

Feeding: They're all eating big crickets and they eat lots. They have the strongest appetites of any species in my collection. The bigger ones also eat zoophobas and MHCs.

Here she is, having a feed.

Housing: Kuni's in a 10 gallon aquarium and the rest are in containers of various sizes (pet pals, 2.5 gallon aquariums and rubbermaid tubs). They're provided with the standard water dish and cork bark shelter, but most don't have a strong penchant to hide. They to tolerate a wide range of humidities. Anywhere from 60-75% seems to keep them happy. The temp is about 80-82°F.

Temperment: They're kinda skittish and a bit feisty. Not really agressive, but they will kick hairs without much provocation, and they're resistant to being moved in any way. Kuni used to burrow quite a bit, but hasn't much in her newer containers. They're usually quite visible and always hungry. They'll pounce on the water dish when I'm filling it, thinking it's crickets.

She doesn't hide as much as she used to.

Molting: Kuni (Female #1)   Date   Old LS   New LS     02/20/2000   2¼"   3"?     04/07/2000   3"?   3¾"?     06/18/2000   3¾"?   5"?     09/07/2000   5"?   6"?      - Notes: Oh man...     03/23/2001   6"?   7"?     Big Edna (Female #2) (5+")   Date   Old LS   New LS     04/01/2001   6"?   7"?     Unsexed (2-3")   Date   Old LS   New LS     01/15/2001   2¼"?   2¾"?   Stanley (Male #1) (6"+)   Date   Old LS   New LS     06/01/2001   6½"?   8"!      - Notes: Mature male!   Note: I'll be keeping this guy at lower temps and feeding him less to allow Kuni and Female #2 to catch up in size before he matures.   George (Male #2) (2-3")   Date   Old LS   New LS     01/02/2001   2½"?   3"?     Noodles (Male #3) (2-3")   Date   Old LS   New LS     01/22/2001   2½"?   3"?

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