• A mature female Aphonopelma seemanni, a tarantula species known as the striped-knee tarantula, poses on terra preta.
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Buddha Bugs

Aphonopelma seemanni (striped-knee tarantula) 0.66"

Aphonopelma seemanni (striped-knee tarantula) 0.66"

$20.00 USD
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Species Overview

Aphonopelma seemanni, commonly known as the striped-knee tarantula, is a medium-sized terrestrial tarantula native to Central America. Sometimes also referred to as the Costa Rican zebra tarantula, this species is instantly recognizable by the bold cream-to-white bands encircling its otherwise dark legs, a characteristic reflected in both of its widely used common names. Typical coloration includes a dark gray to olive-gray carapace and a brown to black abdomen clothed in tan to copper-colored hairs, along with peach-colored spinnerets and a peach to salmon-colored ventral surface. Well known for its hardiness, long lifespan, and relatively straightforward husbandry, A. seemanni has remained one of the most popular tarantulas in captivity for decades.

This species grows at a moderate rate and spends much of its time within a burrow or beneath enclosure décor. Juveniles readily excavate extensive tunnel systems, while adults typically establish a permanent retreat that they may reinforce with silk and substrate over time. Although generally considered calm, individuals often retreat when disturbed and may rely on urticating hairs as their primary means of defense.

  • Common Name: Striped-knee tarantula, Costa Rican zebra tarantula
  • Native Range: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica
  • Life Habit: Terrestrial burrower
  • Adult Size: 5–6 inches in diagonal leg span
  • Lifespan: Males 4–6 years; females 15–20+ years under optimal conditions
  • Temperament: Generally calm but may flick urticating hairs
  • Care Difficulty: Easy

Aphonopelma seemanni Care

Aphonopelma seemanni is a hardy terrestrial species that thrives when provided with deep substrate suitable for burrowing and a predominantly dry enclosure with access to a localized humidity gradient.

  • Enclosure: 1 oz condiment cup or equivalent for spiderlings, upgraded as needed with growth; 14” x 10” x 8” or larger terrestrial enclosures for adults
  • Substrate: Provide sufficient depth of moisture-retentive substrate to accommodate natural burrowing behavior. Coconut fiber, peat moss, topsoil, and similar substrates work well.
  • Temperature: 72–82°F
  • Humidity: Moderate ambient humidity is generally sufficient. Approximately 25–50% of the substrate should retain moisture to provide a humidity gradient while allowing the remaining substrate to stay drier.
  • Diet: Fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches, and other appropriately sized feeder insects
  • Feeding: Spiderlings can be offered appropriately sized prey once or twice weekly. Juveniles and adults are typically fed every 7–14 days, with feeding frequency adjusted based on prey size, growth rate, and the condition of the individual animal.
  • Water: Lightly moisten part of the substrate as needed for smaller specimens; larger specimens should have access to a water dish.
  • Routine Maintenance: Remove uneaten prey, monitor substrate moisture, and spot-clean when necessary.

Natural History

Aphonopelma seemanni is distributed throughout portions of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, where it occurs across a variety of habitats. It constructs silk-lined burrows beneath rocks, roots, fallen logs, and other natural cover, using these retreats to shelter from predators and environmental extremes while emerging primarily after dark to ambush passing invertebrate prey.

Although best known for its striking cream-colored leg bands, A. seemanni exhibits a greater range of coloration than is often appreciated. Recently molted specimens frequently display a pronounced bluish cast across the legs, carapace, and abdomen, particularly under natural sunlight or full-spectrum lighting. This coloration is most pronounced during the first few months after molting and gradually fades to the darker gray, olive, brown, and black coloration typical of the species. Despite specimens occasionally being marketed within the hobby as “Aphonopelma seemanni ‘blue,’” no evidence supports the existence of a distinct blue color form or locality. Rather, this attractive blue coloration is a normal part of the species’ molt cycle.

Molecular research suggests that Aphonopelma, as currently defined, contains several distinct evolutionary lineages. A. seemanni is the type species of the genus Aphonopelma, meaning that the generic name is permanently anchored to the genus containing this species. In any future taxonomic revision, other species currently assigned to Aphonopelma would need to be evaluated to determine whether they belong in the same genus. Many species outside the Central American lineage containing A. seemanni may eventually be placed in other genera.

Shipping

Shipping method for live animal orders:

For orders containing live animals, shipping is offered throughout the continental US (48 states) through FedEx Priority Overnight. Orders containing both live and non-live products may be shipped together or seperately, depending on the items in the order, their sizes, and whether everything can fit in a single shipment. Orders with live and non-live products which need to be shipped seperately will incur additional shipping costs for the separate USPS shipping of the non-live items. Shipments containing live animals are dropped off on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for next-day arrival. By default, we ship all packages held for pickup to the closest FedEx Ship Center to the order address, requiring in-person pickup at that FedEx Ship Center. Home delivery of live animal orders is possible; however, packages shipped for delivery rather than held for pick up are not eligible for LAG, and doing so is against our advisement and at the customer's risk. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.

We also offer expo pickup and a DFW local meet-up option so you can save on shipping. See Expo Schedule for details. 

Shipping method for non-live orders:

For shipments containing no live animals, shipping is available to all 50 states via USPS Ground Advantage or USPS Priority Mail. Non-live shipments will be sent directly to the address listed on the order, typically on the day the order is placed or the following day. 

What to expect after placing an order:

After you place an order on our website, we will contact you within 12 hours to provide the delivery date and the FedEx pickup location. Please respond and let us know if that works for you. The package will NOT be shipped until we have your confirmation. A tracking number will be provided on the day of shipment.

There will be times when shipping must be delayed due to weather, our schedule, or if a tarantula you ordered has recently molted or appears to be about to molt. You will be notified if that happens, and we will work out another date. 

Carrier delays happen, so please ensure you or someone you know will be available to pick up your package, even if it's 1-3 days late. 

Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG):

Buddha Bugs offers LAG but ONLY when the following conditions are met:

  • "Freebies" are not covered by LAG.
  • For the safety of the animals and to ensure the best chance of live arrival, orders must be shipped to your nearest authorized FedEx Ship Center and held for pickup to be eligible for LAG. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.
  • The package must be picked up from FedEx on the day it arrives; any time during the store’s opening hours is fine. Please bring a valid ID. Picking up packages on any day other than the day of arrival will void the LAG. 
  • In the unlikely event of a DOA, we require notice and evidence within 3 hours of pickup. You must provide a clear photo/video of the deceased specimen. Refunds will not include shipping costs, and replacements may not always be available.
  • ANY DEVIATION OF THIS CAN RESULT IN LAG VOID

Home delivery is available upon request, but LAG is not offered for shipments sent for home delivery if there is an authorized FedEx Ship Center within 60 miles of the customer's zip code, due to the unpredictability of this shipping method. This does not apply to customers who do not have a FedEx Ship Center near them that is authorized to accept live animal shipments; in these cases, orders will be shipped for home delivery, and LAG will be honored.

Due to the risk to the animals, even in circumstances where the customer accepts LAG being voided for home delivery shipments, we will not ship animals for home delivery at or above 90°F or at or below 35°F.

Please remember that FedEx DOES NOT reimburse Buddha Bugs for lost packages or the loss of any live animals. We take every precaution we can to ensure your new pets arrive safely. 

Returns & Refunds

 

Returns & Refunds:

We DO NOT accept returns on live animals.

Non-live animal products may be returned for a refund within 14 days of delivery. The product must be unused and in its original packaging. After we receive your return, refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days. Refunds will not include shipping costs. Used products will be rejected and shipped back to the customer when possible. 

You will be refunded immediately if any animal in your order arrives dead. Please see our Shipping Policy for LAG details.

For online purchases with local pickup, pickup at a show, or for purchases made at a show, the customer is responsible for inspecting the purchased items and verifying that they are to their satisfaction. If they are not, they must express any dissatisfaction before the sale is completed, as all sales are final. We are not liable for damages after the customer receives their items due to issues including but not limited to the customer mishandling transport and/or overheating animals. 

Cancellations:  

We require a ~3% cancellation fee on all cancellations. For card payments, the fee is 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; different payment methods may have slightly higher or lower fee amounts. This is a non-recoverable fee we are charged when processing your payment, and it is not refunded to us by Shopify when an order is canceled or a refund is issued. Canceling orders creates extra labor and costs on our end and reduces available stock for others who may be interested, so please make sure you are committed before placing an order.

If a product in your order is out of stock, we will contact you and offer the option to cancel part or all of your order. There's no extra fee for this; we apologize for any inconvenience.

Some Poecilotheria species cannot be shipped across state lines, as clearly stated in the product titles and product details. Please do not purchase if you live outside of Texas, or that portion/your whole order will be canceled and refunded immediately; you will also be charged a 10% cancellation fee, which will be deducted from the refund.

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