Aphonopelma seemanni (Costa Rican Stripe Knee Tarantula)

Aphonopelma seemanni (Costa Rican Stripe Knee Tarantula)

The Costa Rican Stripe Knee Tarantula, or Aphonopelma seemanni, is a tropical tarantula from Costa Rica. Adults of this species have a gray body with bold striped, banded knees that give the species its name. The striped knee pattern is visible from an early age, and we have noticed individuals often show a bluish tint right after a fresh molt that settles back into gray within a few days, while the species only grows to about 6 inches in diagonal leg span. Like others in the genus, along with Brachypelma, this species lives a long time, with females living 20 to 30 years while males live 3 to 5 years. This species is also very calm and forgiving, and one we recommend for beginner keepers or anyone who wants an easier keeping experience. Grab this docile new world tarantula for sale today, offered here as a spiderling.

Why do hobbyists keep Aphonopelma seemanni?

• Striped Knee Coloration: This species has a gray body with bold, striped, banded knees that give it its name.
• Docile Temperament: This species is slow moving and very deliberate, not particularly skittish, and docile on top of that.
• Great Beginner Species: A calm temperament and forgiving care needs make this one of the easiest Aphonopelma for a first-time keeper.
• Great Display Species: This species stays out in the open on the surface rather than staying hidden below ground, so there is usually something to see.
• Captive Bred, Not Wild: This is one of the most commonly wild-caught tarantulas in the US hobby, since imported specimens are cheap and plentiful. Every one of ours is captive bred instead. There is no ecological need to collect from the wild when captive-bred slings hatch out every year, and buying captive bred supports breeders rather than pulling animals out of their native habitat. If you ever see a full grown adult of this species selling for unusually little, that price alone is often a sign it was wild collected rather than captive bred.

How should Aphonopelma seemanni be kept?

• Enclosure: Sized in three stages so the enclosure is never bigger than the animal needs at each point in its growth. Good ventilation is critical. Cross ventilation works best, but ample top ventilation can also be effective as long as the enclosure is not over-misted. Exact dimensions for each size are on that size's own page.
• Rehousing: Each size page states the remaining cage sizes and roughly how long each one lasts at this species' growth rate.
• Temperature: Keep this species between 65 and 75°F, in line with the tropical range it comes from. Typical indoor room temperature works well without any extra heating.
• Humidity: Water it and let it dry rather than keeping it damp. Aim for substrate that dries out within about a day after you add moisture, and never let it sit soaking.
• Water: A shallow textured water dish works well, something they can grip when climbing out.
• Diet: We recommend prey size from a pinhead cricket up to a cricket about a quarter the length of the leg span, depending on the size you choose. Feed at least once a week at every stage, spiderlings included.
• Temperament: Docile and unlikely to act defensively, more likely to retreat than stand its ground when startled.

Which size should I choose?

• 0.50" Spiderling: our most affordable entry into this species.
• 0.75-1" Yearling: past the earliest, most delicate stage.
• 1-1.25" Juvenile: a bit further along, with the striped knee pattern clearly visible.

Are there any additional notes or considerations?

• Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred.
• Also Known As: This species is sometimes sold as the Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula. We use Costa Rican Stripe Knee Tarantula as our primary name for it here.