Zebra Knee Tarantula gets its name from the beautiful zebra stripes on its body. It has a dark brown coat, adorned with lovely white or beige-colored stripes. The lines run from the abdomen along its legs. Many also know by its scientific name Aphonopelma seemanni. This terrestrial tarantula is native to Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and other Central American parts.
Aphonopelma seemanni is a burrower and loves to retreat to its burrow. The spiderling spends most of its time deep into the substrate. It only comes out occasionally into the open to feed or drink. Once it’s over 3 inches, it does spend more time in the open. But even after growing into adults, it seems to prefer staying in the burrow and remains hidden there.
What Makes it a Unique Pet?
A Zebra knee tarantula is inexpensive compared to other species. Any beginner can easily keep a zebra knee tarantula due to its docile nature. It has an incredibly long lifespan. The males can live up to 10 years.
Females, on the other hand, can live for about 20 years. The male reaches its maturity level within 5-6 years while the female becomes mature in just 2-3 years. It’s a medium-sized tarantula and can grow up to 4 to 5½ inches, including the leg span and is relatively easy to accommodate. It does not cause many problems in captivity.
Aphonopelma seemanni has a defensive nature. So, it will instead run than attack or fight. It needs food only once or twice a week and is not a fussy eater and can eat any insect. But, younger tarantulas need food every day.
How to Take Care Of Zebra Knee Tarantula
An adult zebra knee tarantula should be kept in a tank or container of a minimum of 10 gallons. It can survive at room temperature and likes warm weather. Don’t use artificial lighting for it. It is best if you keep it in a deep substrate. It will provide enough space for it to burrow. Using sand, soil, and coconut peat as a substrate is a good option.
You must give it fresh and clean water to survive the humidity in the enclosure. Try to replace it every day. Maintain humidity levels to 60 to 80 percent by spraying water in the enclosure. Regularly clean and clear the uneaten food from the tank to prevent any contamination. Keep a cover or lid on the top to prevent any escape.
Precautions to Take
Falling from height is the reason for most deaths in tarantulas. Aphonopelma seemanni do not like handling. So, you should avoid disturbing it. When upset or nervous, it starts urticating hairs. It can even bite in some cases. This nocturnal tarantula is most active at night. It is better to give it food at night and remove the leftovers in the morning.
More About Desert Blond Tarantulas as Pets:Desert blond tarantulas are docile spiders that make good pets for beginner tarantula enthusiasts. In the wild, they dig burrows up to 2 feet deep, a remarkable feat for a spider that lives in the hard-packed desert.
Your pet’s health and well-being depend on how much you are informed about it and its requirements. You need to be serious about taking care of it and keep in mind all the things mentioned above.
