Aphonopelma seemanni
Aphonopelma seemanni is an accepted Central American theraphosid originally described by F. O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1897 as Eurypelma seemanni. It is currently recognized by the World Spider Catalog as Aphonopelma seemanni, which also lists it as the type species of Aphonopelma. The catalog records its distribution in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and notes a 2022 synonymy that placed Aphonopelma latens under A. seemanni. It is widely known in English as the Costa Rican zebra tarantula.
This species is best known as a burrowing tarantula of Central American dry forest and semiarid scrub habitats, especially along the Pacific slope of Costa Rica and northward into Nicaragua and southern Honduras. It is typically dark brown to black with striking pale white or beige striping near the leg joints, and a brown color form has also been noted. Natural-history accounts describe it as a deep-burrowing species whose retreats buffer heat and retain humidity, helping it persist in warm, seasonally dry environments.
Quick Species Facts
Common Name: Costa Rican Zebra / Costa Rican Stripe Knee / Striped-knee Tarantula
Origin: New World terrestrial species from western Costa Rica and surrounding parts of Central America, including Nicaragua and Honduras, with records also from Guatemala and nearby regions.
Lifestyle: Primarily a terrestrial, fossorial burrower that constructs deep, silk-lined tunnels in open, semi-arid grassland and scrub habitats. In captivity, it readily adopts a hide or digs its own burrow and spends much of the day underground.
Adult Size: Medium-sized tarantula, typically around 4.5–5.5 in (11–14 cm) diagonal leg span, with some specimens in the hobby reported closer to 5–6 in.
Growth Rate: Generally slow to medium growing—not as fast as many arboreals or large South American terrestrials, but steady with regular feeding and warm temperatures.
Temperament: A classic New World species: typically shy and skittish rather than overtly defensive. Most individuals prefer to bolt to their burrow; hair-kicking and bite reports are relatively uncommon, and venom is considered mild, though urticating hairs can still be irritating.
Color & Appearance: A striking contrast species with a dark brown to black base color and bold cream to white striping on the knees and along the legs, creating the signature “zebra” look. Freshly molted animals often show subtle bluish or steel tones on the legs and carapace, especially in certain lineages.
Species History
Aphonopelma seemanni, commonly known as the Costa Rican Zebra or Striped-knee tarantula, was first described in 1897 by British arachnologist F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, who named it in honor of collector Berthold Seemann after specimens from Puerto Culebra, Costa Rica were deposited in the British Museum.
Originally placed in the broad “catch-all” genus Eurypelma, the species has traveled through a shifting taxonomic landscape as mygalomorph spiders were reclassified throughout the 20th century. Later revisions split Eurypelma into several genera, with Aphonopelma erected in 1901. Subsequent work briefly sank multiple genera into Rhechostica, but due to long-standing usage, the name Aphonopelma was conserved and is now the accepted genus for A. seemanni.
In nature, A. seemanni is a fossorial, deep-burrowing tarantula from the Pacific slopes and dry forests of western Costa Rica, extending northward into Nicaragua, Honduras, and likely Guatemala. These spiders occupy semi-arid scrub, grasslands, and disturbed habitats, where their burrows buffer them from heat and nightly temperature drops.
The striking contrast of dark legs with pale “zebra” striping made A. seemanni one of the earliest Central American tarantulas to gain popularity in the pet trade. By the late 20th century it was firmly established as a hardy, long-lived display species in captivity, with both classic brown and darker, bluish local color forms circulating among hobbyists. Today it remains a staple New World species—valued for its bold patterning, natural burrowing behavior, and role as an ambassador to the diverse Aphonopelma genus of Central and North America.
Natural Habitat
In the wild, Aphonopelma seemanni inhabits the dry forests and open scrublands of western Costa Rica and neighboring parts of Central America, including Nicaragua, Honduras, and possibly Guatemala.
This species is primarily terrestrial and fossorial, living in deep, silk-lined burrows that it excavates in compact, well-drained soil. These burrows act as a buffer against the hot, dry daytime conditions and cooler nights, helping the spider maintain stable temperature and humidity.
In its native range, the climate is warm and seasonally dry, with a pronounced rainy season. A. seemanni is often found along the Pacific slope in lowland to premontane zones, where grassy clearings, forest edges, road banks, and disturbed areas provide ideal ground for burrowing.
Our Specimen
“Mocha” is amongst our fist tarantulas to the collection. Mocha is a sub-adult and likely a female. She spends most of her time burrowed away but is out periodically. She has been a very slow grower for us. She enjoys digging in the dirt.