Costa Rica Zebra Tarantula Spiderling Care Guide
Scientific Name: Aphonopelma seemanni
Common Name: Costa Rica Zebra Tarantula / Stripe-kneed Tarantula
Adult Size: Around 10–13 cm leg span
Lifespan: Females 15–20+ years; males considerably shorter
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
Temperament: Generally calm but can be defensive and very fast
Activity: Mainly nocturnal
Size
- Spiderlings are small and delicate, so use a small, secure enclosure.
- Adults can reach around 10–13 cm leg span.
- Grow slowly compared with many other tarantulas.
Housing
- Use a well-ventilated terrestrial enclosure.
- The enclosure should not be excessively large for a small spiderling.
- Provide around 5–8 cm of substrate for a spiderling, increasing depth as it grows.
- Provide a small piece of cork bark or another secure hide.
- Make sure there are no large gaps the spiderling can escape through.
Temperature
-
22–26°C is suitable.
- A slight drop at night is fine.
- Avoid prolonged temperatures above 28°C.
- Use thermostatically controlled heating if additional heat is needed.
Lighting
- UVB is not required.
- Normal ambient room lighting is sufficient.
- Avoid bright lights and direct sunlight.
Humidity
- Keep moderate humidity, approximately 60–70%.
- For a small spiderling, keep part of the substrate slightly moist.
- Allow the surface to dry between watering.
- Good ventilation is essential.
Food
- Offer appropriately sized livefood such as:
- Small crickets
- Fruit flies for very tiny spiderlings
- Small roach nymphs
- Small mealworms
- Feed approximately 1–2 times per week, adjusting according to growth and appetite.
- Remove uneaten prey promptly.
- Never leave live insects with a spiderling that is preparing to moult.
Water
- Very small spiderlings can obtain moisture from appropriately maintained substrate.
- Once large enough, provide a tiny, shallow water dish.
- Alternatively, lightly moisten a small area of substrate.
- Never allow the enclosure to become waterlogged.
Shedding
- Spiderlings moult frequently as they grow.
- Loss of appetite, reduced activity and a darker abdomen can indicate pre-moult.
- Remove all live prey and leave the spider completely undisturbed.
- Never attempt to help with a moult.
Handling
- Do not handle spiderlings.
- They are delicate, fast and can be easily injured by even a short fall.
- Use a catch cup and soft brush for necessary transfers.
Health
Watch for:
- Persistent lethargy outside of pre-moult
- Injury or damaged legs
- Abnormal posture
- Mould or mites
- Failure to feed over an extended period outside of pre-moult
- Difficulty moulting
Cleaning
- Remove uneaten prey as soon as possible.
- Remove visible waste when necessary.
- Keep the water source clean.
- Avoid unnecessary disturbance or complete substrate changes.
Before You Bring Your Animal Home
- Have the enclosure ready beforehand.
- Provide suitable substrate and a small hide.
- Check temperature and humidity.
- Ensure every ventilation hole and gap is spiderling-proof.
- Have suitably sized livefood ready.
- Provide a safe water source.
Important Bits
- 🕷️ Spiderlings are extremely delicate — avoid handling.
- 🦓 Costa Rica Zebra Tarantulas are terrestrial and appreciate suitable digging substrate.
- 🌡️ Avoid excessive heat.
- 💧 Keep humidity moderate without making the enclosure permanently wet.
- 🚫 Never disturb a tarantula during a moult.
- 🦗 Remove uneaten prey promptly.
- ⚠️ They can be very fast, particularly when startled.
- 🕰️ Females can live for 15–20+ years, making this a long-term commitment.
