• A mature female Grammostola pulchripes, a tarantula species known as the Chaco golden knee tarantula, poses on a woman’s hand.
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Buddha Bugs

Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco golden knee tarantula) 0.5"

Grammostola pulchripes (Chaco golden knee tarantula) 0.5"

$45.00 USD
$45.00 USD
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Species Overview

Grammostola pulchripes, commonly known as the Chaco golden knee tarantula, is a large terrestrial burrowing tarantula native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Adult females are robust, with a dark brown to nearly black ground color heavily overlaid by long pinkish-gray to pale copper-colored hairs. The carapace ranges from smoky gray-brown to dark brown, often with a darker central area and paler hairs along its margin and radiating grooves, while the abdomen is nearly black beneath a dense covering of long pale gray to pinkish hairs. The femora, metatarsi, and tarsi are predominantly dark. Each patella bears a broad, tapered golden-yellow dorsal field, while the tibiae display narrower longitudinal golden stripes, producing the bold pattern responsible for the common name. Recently molted specimens display the darkest ground coloration and strongest golden contrast, while the overall appearance may become browner and less saturated as the molt cycle progresses. Mature males are slimmer and have proportionally longer legs but retain the characteristic leg pattern.

In captivity, G. pulchripes grows at a moderate pace by Grammostola standards, and females may live for two decades or longer. Spiderlings readily excavate and can remain underground for extended periods, while larger juveniles and adults often adopt a shallow retreat beneath cork bark and spend considerable time exposed. Individuals may rearrange substantial amounts of substrate and can refuse food for weeks or even months, particularly before molting or during seasonal changes in activity. This species is generally calm and deliberate, normally attempting to withdraw when disturbed, although some individuals readily flick urticating hairs. Its hardiness and straightforward environmental requirements make it suitable for keepers of any experience level.

  • Common Name: Chaco golden knee tarantula
  • Native Range: Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina
  • Life Habit: Terrestrial burrower
  • Adult Size: 6–7 inches in diagonal leg span
  • Lifespan: Males 5–8 years; females 15–20+ years under optimal conditions
  • Temperament: Generally calm and slow-moving; may flick urticating hairs
  • Care Difficulty: Easy

Grammostola pulchripes Care

Grammostola pulchripes adapts well to captivity when maintained in a well-ventilated enclosure with generous floor space, ample substrate, and a secure retreat. Spiderlings should be given sufficient depth to excavate, while larger specimens readily enlarge a starter retreat beneath partially buried cork bark. Because this is a heavy-bodied terrestrial species, the substrate should also be deep enough to minimize the distance between the surface and the enclosure lid. A mostly dry setup with localized moisture provides an appropriate humidity gradient without keeping the entire enclosure continuously damp.

  • Enclosure: 1 oz condiment cup or similar for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 14” x 10” x 8” or larger enclosure for adults.
  • Substrate: Coconut fiber, peat moss, topsoil, or a similar moisture-retentive substrate with sufficient depth to permit burrowing. Provide a partially buried piece of cork bark or similar enclosure dĂ©cor as a starter retreat.
  • Temperature: 72–82°F.
  • Humidity: Low to moderate ambient humidity is generally sufficient. Approximately 25–50% of the substrate should retain slight moisture to provide a humidity gradient while allowing the remaining substrate to stay dry. Avoid continuously damp conditions and inadequate ventilation.
  • Diet: Fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches, and other appropriately sized feeder insects.
  • Feeding: Spiderlings can be offered appropriately sized prey once or twice weekly. Juveniles and adults are typically fed every 7–14 days, with feeding frequency adjusted based on prey size, growth rate, and the condition of the individual animal.
  • Water: Lightly moisten part of the substrate as needed and provide water droplets on the enclosure walls for spiderlings; juveniles and adults should have access to a water dish.
  • Routine Maintenance: Remove uneaten prey, monitor moisture levels, and spot-clean when necessary.

Natural History

Grammostola pulchripes was described by Eugène Simon in 1891 as Eurypelma pulchripes, based on a mature male collected in Argentina. Simon established the genus Grammostola the following year, transferred the species to it, and designated it as the type species. The species epithet is generally interpreted as meaning “beautiful-footed,” an appropriate reference to its prominently striped legs.

The species has experienced a complicated taxonomic history. A systematic revision published in 1996 treated G. pulchripes as a synonym of Phrixotrichus mollicoma. In 2001, golden-striped tarantulas associated with Argentina and Paraguay were described separately as Grammostola aureostriata, and that name became firmly established within the hobby. Ray Gabriel reexamined the relevant type material in 2009, restored G. pulchripes as a valid species, and placed G. aureostriata in its synonymy. Older care guides, books, and captive records may therefore continue to identify this species as Grammostola aureostriata.

Although frequently characterized as a tarantula restricted to dry Chaco grasslands, documented records indicate a considerably broader environmental distribution. Within Argentina, G. pulchripes has been recorded from the wet and dry Chaco, Espinal, Esteros del Iberá, Pampa, and northern Yungas. A 2013 study found the species most strongly associated with comparatively humid regions such as the wet Chaco and eastern Espinal, with additional populations in the high-elevation forests of the Yungas and a more limited presence in the southern dry Chaco. Across these environments, it occupies ground-level burrows and natural retreats from which it emerges to capture passing prey.

Shipping

Shipping method for live animal orders:

For orders containing live animals, shipping is offered throughout the continental US (48 states) through FedEx Priority Overnight. Orders containing both live and non-live products may be shipped together or seperately, depending on the items in the order, their sizes, and whether everything can fit in a single shipment. Orders with live and non-live products which need to be shipped seperately will incur additional shipping costs for the separate USPS shipping of the non-live items. Shipments containing live animals are dropped off on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for next-day arrival. By default, we ship all packages held for pickup to the closest FedEx Ship Center to the order address, requiring in-person pickup at that FedEx Ship Center. Home delivery of live animal orders is possible; however, packages shipped for delivery rather than held for pick up are not eligible for LAG, and doing so is against our advisement and at the customer's risk. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.

We also offer expo pickup and a DFW local meet-up option so you can save on shipping. See Expo Schedule for details. 

Shipping method for non-live orders:

For shipments containing no live animals, shipping is available to all 50 states via USPS Ground Advantage or USPS Priority Mail. Non-live shipments will be sent directly to the address listed on the order, typically on the day the order is placed or the following day. 

What to expect after placing an order:

After you place an order on our website, we will contact you within 12 hours to provide the delivery date and the FedEx pickup location. Please respond and let us know if that works for you. The package will NOT be shipped until we have your confirmation. A tracking number will be provided on the day of shipment.

There will be times when shipping must be delayed due to weather, our schedule, or if a tarantula you ordered has recently molted or appears to be about to molt. You will be notified if that happens, and we will work out another date. 

Carrier delays happen, so please ensure you or someone you know will be available to pick up your package, even if it's 1-3 days late. 

Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG):

Buddha Bugs offers LAG but ONLY when the following conditions are met:

  • "Freebies" are not covered by LAG.
  • For the safety of the animals and to ensure the best chance of live arrival, orders must be shipped to your nearest authorized FedEx Ship Center and held for pickup to be eligible for LAG. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.
  • The package must be picked up from FedEx on the day it arrives; any time during the store’s opening hours is fine. Please bring a valid ID. Picking up packages on any day other than the day of arrival will void the LAG. 
  • In the unlikely event of a DOA, we require notice and evidence within 3 hours of pickup. You must provide a clear photo/video of the deceased specimen. Refunds will not include shipping costs, and replacements may not always be available.
  • ANY DEVIATION OF THIS CAN RESULT IN LAG VOID

Home delivery is available upon request, but LAG is not offered for shipments sent for home delivery if there is an authorized FedEx Ship Center within 60 miles of the customer's zip code, due to the unpredictability of this shipping method. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.

Due to the risk to the animals, even in circumstances where the customer accepts LAG being voided for home delivery shipments, we will not ship animals for home delivery at or above 90°F or at or below 35°F.

Please remember that FedEx DOES NOT reimburse Buddha Bugs for lost packages or the loss of any live animals. We take every precaution we can to ensure your new pets arrive safely. 

Returns & Refunds

 

Returns & Refunds:

We DO NOT accept returns on live animals.

Non-live animal products may be returned for a refund within 14 days of delivery. The product must be unused and in its original packaging. After we receive your return, refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days. Refunds will not include shipping costs. Used products will be rejected and shipped back to the customer when possible. 

You will be refunded immediately if any animal in your order arrives dead. Please see our Shipping Policy for LAG details.

For online purchases with local pickup, pickup at a show, or for purchases made at a show, the customer is responsible for inspecting the purchased items and verifying that they are to their satisfaction. If they are not, they must express any dissatisfaction before the sale is completed, as all sales are final. We are not liable for damages after the customer receives their items due to issues including but not limited to the customer mishandling transport and/or overheating animals. 

Cancellations:  

We require a ~3% cancellation fee on all cancellations. For card payments, the fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; different payment methods may have slightly higher or lower fee amounts. This is a non-recoverable fee we are charged when processing your payment, and it is not refunded to us by Shopify when an order is canceled or a refund is issued. Canceling orders creates extra labor and costs on our end and reduces available stock for others who may be interested, so please make sure you are committed before placing an order.

If a product in your order is out of stock, we will contact you and offer the option to cancel part or all of your order. There's no extra fee for this; we apologize for any inconvenience.

Some Poecilotheria species cannot be shipped across state lines, as clearly stated in the product titles and product details. Please do not purchase if you live outside of Texas, or that portion/your whole order will be canceled and refunded immediately; you will also be charged a 10% cancellation fee, which will be deducted from the refund.

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