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Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula (Aphonopelma seemanni)

The zebra tarantula inhabits major parts of Western Costa Rica, alongside other Central American areas like Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. The black and white striped pattern seen near the joints of its legs perhaps gives it the name Zebra tarantula.

Zebra Tarantula

Scientific Classification

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: They are about 10cm to 13cm in length, though the males can be shorter in size.

Color: Their body is brown or black, while cream or white lines run in a longitudinal pattern down their legs.

Zebra Tarantula Size

Eggs

Between 50 and 2000 eggs are laid and protected with their web. They hatch after a span of 6-8 weeks.

Spiderlings

They remain in the burrows for a while after birth and then disperse.

Zebra Tarantula Baby

The Web

These spiders make dense webs and spend most of the time in spinning them. The males on attaining maturity are known to rub their body on the web for releasing semen.

Does the Striped Knee Tarantula Bite and Are They Poisonous

They may bite, but rarely, unless provoked or instigated. However, their venom is low in toxicity and is not known to cause any danger to mankind.

Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula

Quick Facts

Other names Costa Rican zebra tarantula, striped-knee tarantula
Lifespan Females:  Approximately 20 years; Males: 5 years
Distribution Western Costa Rica, alongside other parts of Central America like Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras
Habitat Open areas and semi-arid scrublands
Diet Several insects like cockroaches, small lizards, small beetles, grasshoppers and cricket
Zebra Knee Tarantula

Did You Know

  • Besides being hardy, these spiders are inexpensive and a choice for many collectors.
  • They have a docile nature but could be skittish, and a little difficult to handle.
Striped Knee Tarantula

Image Source: I1.wp.com, I.imgur.com, Farm4.staticflickr.com, 3.bp.blogspot.com, Isteam.wsimg.com, Milanzygmunt.com

The zebra tarantula inhabits major parts of Western Costa Rica, alongside other Central American areas like Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala. The black and white striped pattern seen near the joints of its legs perhaps gives it the name Zebra tarantula.

Zebra Tarantula

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size: They are about 10cm to 13cm in length, though the males can be shorter in size.

Color: Their body is brown or black, while cream or white lines run in a longitudinal pattern down their legs.

Zebra Tarantula Size

Eggs

Between 50 and 2000 eggs are laid and protected with their web. They hatch after a span of 6-8 weeks.

Spiderlings

They remain in the burrows for a while after birth and then disperse.

Zebra Tarantula Baby

The Web

These spiders make dense webs and spend most of the time in spinning them. The males on attaining maturity are known to rub their body on the web for releasing semen.

Does the Striped Knee Tarantula Bite and Are They Poisonous

They may bite, but rarely, unless provoked or instigated. However, their venom is low in toxicity and is not known to cause any danger to mankind.

Costa Rican Zebra Tarantula

Quick Facts

Other names Costa Rican zebra tarantula, striped-knee tarantula
Lifespan Females:  Approximately 20 years; Males: 5 years
Distribution Western Costa Rica, alongside other parts of Central America like Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras
Habitat Open areas and semi-arid scrublands
Diet Several insects like cockroaches, small lizards, small beetles, grasshoppers and cricket
Zebra Knee Tarantula

Did You Know

  • Besides being hardy, these spiders are inexpensive and a choice for many collectors.
  • They have a docile nature but could be skittish, and a little difficult to handle.
Striped Knee Tarantula

Image Source: I1.wp.com, I.imgur.com, Farm4.staticflickr.com, 3.bp.blogspot.com, Isteam.wsimg.com, Milanzygmunt.com

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