Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula (Aphonopelma seemani)

The Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula is a great pet tarantula. It is a hardy, inexpensive spider with wonderful coloration! Even though it is a generally docile species, you shouldn't get the impression that this spider can be held. Costa Rican Zebra Tarantulas can display incredible speed if startled by the slightest occurrence. Although it is known as the Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula, there is a different color phase to this species, that is not found in Costa Rica. This color phase is dark brown with tan striping on the legs, and is from Nicaragua, as opposed to the Costa Rican form of black with white striping on the legs. The Costa Rican form is shown to the left. Both color phases require the same conditions in captivity. The Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula is a good choice for a beginner or an expert.

Range	Southern United States to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and possibly areas in Guatemala, and Panama in tropical forests on the Pacific coast with secondary cleared land and hillside highland tropical forests.
Type	Burrowing.
Diet	Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, and an occasional pinkie mouse.
Full Grown Size	4 to 4.5 inches.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	70 to 85° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%. All tarantulas that have at least a 3" legspan may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament	Docile and nervous.
Housing	Spiderlings can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 2.5 to 5-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	4 to 5 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	No decorations are really needed, but you can add a log, or cork bark. Moss can be added for floor cover, but leave some areas open for burrowing in the substrate.
Other Names	Zebra Tarantula, Stripe Knee Tarantula, and Stripe Kneed Tarantula.