Certainly! Here’s the simplified Stripe Knee Tarantula Care Sheet with no icons or formatting distractions—just clear, organized information:
Stripe Knee Tarantula (Aphonopelma seemanni) Care Guide
Overview
The Stripe Knee Tarantula is a terrestrial burrowing species from Costa Rica and nearby regions. Adults grow up to 6 inches in diagonal leg span. Females can live up to 20 years, while males live 5 to 10 years. They are hardy, mildly defensive, and great for beginners moving toward intermediate care.
Behavior
They are shy and usually stay hidden in their burrow, especially during the day. Most activity occurs at night. They are blind and rely on leg hairs to sense vibrations. While generally calm, they can kick urticating hairs if threatened, which may irritate skin or eyes.
Enclosure Setup
Spiderlings under 0.75 inches
- Use a 2x2x4 inch enclosure
- Fill two-thirds with moist substrate
- Maintain a damp-to-dry gradient
- Optional: Small water dish if space allows
Juveniles (1.5 to 4 inches)
- Upgrade to 4x4x5 inch enclosure
- Substrate two-thirds full
- Provide a hide and a water dish
- Maintain moisture gradient by lightly overflowing water dish
Adults (4.5 to 6 inches)
- 5 to 10 gallon tank with more floor space than height
- Fill halfway with substrate
- Add hide and water dish
- Occasional overflow to one corner for humidity
- Let substrate dry between wettings to avoid mold
Feeding Guide
Tiny slings (under 1 inch)
- Feed fruit flies, flour beetles, or pre-killed small crickets
- Prey should be no bigger than the spider
- Remove uneaten food within 24 hours
Small slings (1 to 2.5 inches)
- Feed small crickets, mealworms, or dubia roaches weekly
- Try pre-killed prey if live is refused
Juveniles (2.5 to 4.5 inches)
- Feed every 1 to 2 weeks
- Prey should be no larger than two-thirds the tarantula’s size
- Smash heads of larger prey if needed
- Remove leftovers within 24 hours
Adults (4.5 to 6 inches)
- Feed every 2 to 3 weeks
- Offer 3–4 crickets, a superworm, or large dubia roaches
- Always clean out uneaten food and boluses after 24 hours
Note: Tarantulas may stop eating for weeks before a molt—this is normal.
Molting
Molting is when the tarantula sheds its exoskeleton. During this time, they lie on their back and appear motionless. Do not disturb the tarantula during this period. Signs of molting include refusal to eat, a dark patch on the abdomen, and reclusiveness.
After molting:
- Wait 4–5 days to feed slings
- Wait 7–10 days for juveniles
- Wait 10–14 days for adults
Rehousing
Only rehouse when the spider outgrows its current enclosure. Include a hide, water dish, and plenty of substrate for burrowing. Avoid disturbing the burrow or cleaning the enclosure too often. Use a soft brush and a cup to gently move the tarantula when needed.
Handling
Handling is discouraged. Stripe Knee Tarantulas are fragile and may injure themselves if dropped. Their urticating hairs can also irritate human skin. Best kept as visual pets.
Temperature and Humidity
No special heating is required. Room temperature between 68 and 76°F is ideal. Humidity should be maintained between 65 and 80 percent. Occasional misting or overflowing the water dish can help maintain humidity.
Recommended Supplies
- Enclosure appropriate to size
- Lugarti Tarantula Substrate or mix of Reptisoil and Eco Earth
- Cork bark or Habba Hut for hiding
- Fake plants for enrichment
- Feeder tongs, water dish, spray bottle
- Optional: Sphagnum moss for added moisture retention
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