Aphonopelma seemanni

Description

This tarantula ranges from brown with tan stripes to black with white stripes, becoming a uniform brown colour upon their maturing moult. It is a very fast moving species so be very careful when cleaning out the tank and avoid handling. Females can live upto 20 years in captivity wheras males usually only survive to 7 years at the most.

Habitat

Enclosure

Adult Costa Rican Zebra Tarantulas should be housed in a terrarium of between 5 to 10 gallons. This species is terrestrial so floorspace is more important than height. The habitat should be constructed so that they provide plenty of hiding places. A broken flowerpot may also be used to provide a great built-in burrow.

They inhabit burrows, which they will excavate themselves when an ideal site is located. Sometimes they will find an abandoned hole or burrow and modify it to suit their own needs.

Substrate

The substrate you use within the enclosure can be either potting soil, peat moss or vermiculite, whichever you use depends on your personal preferences as all have their good and bad points. The substrate should be atleast 10 cm (4inches) deep to provide a suitable layer for your spider to dig an effective burrow. The substrate should be kept damp but not so much so that bacteria and molds begin to grow. Aphonopelma seemanni is a little moisture sensitive, they prefer a fairly moist substrate.

 Temperature

This species requires a temperature range of between 22-30°C (71.6-86°F). A temperature gradient is important to allow the tarantula to regulate their body temperature as needed. The easiest way to provide the gradient is by using a heating mat designed for use under reptile tanks. This should be placed under no more than about 1/3 of the tank, so your pet can move from warmer to cooler temperatures if desired. Always verify that appropriate temperatures are being provided by using accurate thermometers in a few locations within the enclosure. A heat lamp with a 60-watt bulb over an area just outside the entrance to the burrow will provide a basking spot for your tarantula.

 Humidity

Humidity should be maintained at between 75-85% by providing a large, shallow water bowl and by misting the enclosure regularly. To successfully maintain the desired humidity conditions for your tarantula you are going to need a hygrometer. A hygrometer is a device used to measure relative humidity within the enclosure.

 Feeding

The Costa Rican Zebra has a very healthy appetite. They will consume almost all foods offered to them and should be fed following the guidelines of all tarantulas. Spiderlings eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults eat crickets, other large insects, and an occasional pinkie mouse.

 Water

Providing a large, shallow water dish will ensure your spider has all the water it needs aswell as help to miantain the relative humidity within the habitat.

 Breeding

This species is very skittish, fleeing from any and all contact. Because of this behavior, it is very hard to breed them in captivity. The male will usually flee at first contact with the female. However since this species is being imported in such large numbers, many females sold in the pet industry are already gravid. Therefore there are large numbers of spiderlings available in the pet community.

 Handling

Although relatively harmless and quite docile, handling of this species is not recommended because of how fast this spider can move when aggitated.