Costa Rican Zebra (Aphonopelma Seemanni)

The Costa Rican Zebra (Aphonopelma seemanni) — a classic Old School tarantula with serious personality, striking looks, and that cool, collected vibe. Also called the Striped Knee Tarantula, this species is great for both beginners and seasoned keepers who love burrowers with a bold streak.

Quick Facts

Common Name: Costa Rican Zebra / Striped Knee

Scientific Name: Aphonopelma seemanni

Origin: Central America (Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala)

Size: 5–6 inches (12–15 cm) leg span

Lifespan:

• Females: up to 20+ years
• Males: ~5–6 years

Temperament: Generally calm, skittish but not defensive

Coloration:

• Deep chocolate to jet black body
• White or cream-colored stripes across the leg joints — zebra vibes
• Some morphs are blue or brown-toned, especially in natural light

Housing

Enclosure Type: Terrestrial — but a deep burrower, so floor space + depth is ideal

Substrate: 5–6+ inches of moist substrate (coco fiber/topsoil mix)

Humidity: 65–75% (keep the lower layer moist but not soaked)

Temperature: 70–78°F (21–26°C)

Decor:

• Deep hide (like a cork round) or just let it dig its own burrow
• Leaf litter, moss, and a water dish
• Keep it natural — this girl likes it earthy

 Expect tunnels and deep hides — A. seemanni loves to go subterranean.

Feeding

Diet: Crickets, roaches, mealworms

Feeding Frequency:

• Slings: 2–3x/week
• Juveniles: Weekly
• Adults: Every 10–14 days

They’re not aggressive feeders but will take prey confidently when hungry

Why She's a Staple

Striking contrasty look — especially those knee stripes 

Very hardy — tolerates a range of temps/humidity well

Long-lived and low-maintenance

One of the calmer Aphonopelma species, great for observation

Natural burrowing behavior is fascinating if you give them the depth

Notes

Can be very shy — may spend a lot of time in her burrow

Not great for handling — too skittish, and can bolt unexpectedly

Needs moist substrate, so watch your humidity closely

Not a display spider unless it feels very secure