Aphonopelma seemanni spiderling • 1 – 1 1/2″ (Costa Rican zebra tarantula)

Description

Aphonopelma are found from Central America to the US southwest. A. seemanni lives farther south than any other Aphonopelma.

Mr. Seemann found the type species in Puerto Culebra, Costa Rica, and deposited it in the British Museum. In 1897 F. O. Pickard-Cambridge described the species, naming it after the collector.

Nicaragua is the current source for A. seemanni (and Tliltocatl albopilosus) in the US and Europe. Ray Gabriel reports in the British Tarantula Society that before 2014, the source of hobby Aphonopelma seemanni was Guatemala. Finding these different from those found in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, he suggests the name Aphonopelma sp. “Guatemala striped knee” to prevent confusion before proper description.

These days (2025) very few A. sp. “Guatemala striped knee” are probably around anymore.

Photos: 1-adult female, recently molted (ArachnoEden)

Care highlights:

• slightly dampened substrate for spiderlings
• elevated humidity +/- water dish support
• drier enclosures for juveniles through adults
• room temperature (68-72F) up to 80F
• consider a hide, forest litter and plantings for enrichment