Costa Rican Stripe Knee Tarantula

Common name : Costa Rican zebra tarantula / Costa Rican stripe knee tarantula 
Species name : Aphonopelma Seemanni
Group or family : Aphonopelma

PR keeper level : 3

PR handler level : 3

Species background or natural history : this species is relatively new in the hobby and has recently become much more popular. 

Physical description : this is a heavy bodied tarantula that can attain a leg span of 6 inches. They are dark brown overall and have beautiful creme colored markings that look like stripes going down their legs. 

Distribution : this species is found in Central America and Costa Rica.

Life span : females can live up to 18 years , males live only 2 - 3 years and die soon after they sexually mature .

Caging : You can keep this species in a 5 or 8 gallon enclosure as adults , Slings can be kept in a pill bottle and moved up to a deli cup as they grow. Enclosures that don't have mesh tops are recommended , because many tarantulas climb to the top and may get their tarsus caught and can potentially loose a leg . High levels of substrate are also recommended because tarantulas do climb and fall , and a fall from a few inches could be fatal. This species creates deep burrows so high levels are needed . Zoomed Eco earth is a great substate choice. 

Cage decor if any : Fake plants with help this species feel more secure . A hide can be placed in the enclosure if you prefer your tarantula to use a hide rather than a burrow 

Temp : this species should be kept at 70-85 degrees .

Heating and lighting : this species doesn't need any heating or lighting as long as your house stays at 70 -85 degrees. If your house drops below that , a small portable heater is recommended to heat up the 
room. 

Humidity and water : the humidity should stay at 65%-80% .To keep the humidity at this level , half of the enclosure should be wet and allowed to completely dry out. For an adult you can use a small exo terra kidney dish or a zoomed repti rock water dish as a water bowl , and a bottle cap for a smaller specimen. Fresh water should always be available. 

Diet and freeding : this species can feed on crickets , super worms , locust , and roaches as long as the prey item is of an appropriate size.

Supplements : tarantulas do not need supplements 

Breeding : this species isn't being bred In captivity very often which results in many specimens being wild caught adults . In order to breed you have to have a mature male and a mature female to breed. You must put the male in the females enclosure , if all goes well he will hold the females fangs with his tibial hooks and inject his sperm into the female. You must be ready to separate them once they are done mating , if not the female might try to eat the male. If the breeding was successful the female with produce an egg sack. When the time comes you will have to take the egg sack from the female , put in an incubator and cut the egg sack when its ready. You must then separate each sling and put them in individual containers. 

Handling your new pet : this species is skittish and has sudden bursts of speed , so handily really isn't recommended . This species is known for being docile and skittish . This species rather flee than bite.