My petshop has a "striped Knee tarantula".

[Vilurum]

I did and all I got was Guatemala blue.

So is it Zebra Tarantula sp Guatemala or Guatemala blue I would like to know for research and to tell the pet shop ( I will also tell them to get the latin names of everything in future ^^)

 

[Londoner]

I did and all I got was Guatemala blue.

So is it Zebra Tarantula sp Guatemala or Guatemala blue I would like to know for research and to tell the pet shop ( I will also tell them to get the latin names of everything in future ^^)

Well for research, you'll get much more accurate info if you use Aphonopelma sp. Guatemala. Common names can be a nightmare because the same name can apply to different species from different genera. The scientific name will ensure there's no confusion.

Good luck with the petshop, but I doubt they'll take any notice. Most stores only use common names, probably because it grabs the attention of people browsing a lot more than scientific names.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[Vilurum]

Ok thank you, I will try to get pics up ASAP to show you guys

 

[Amoeba]

It's gotta be like the Aphonopelma seemani so here yah go http://www.petbugs.com/caresheets/A-seemani.html

 

[Stan Schultz]

I thought there would always be something infront of the striped knee, or is it just striped knee tarantula?

I can give a description if it helps very large swollen abdomen, a tan/light brown colour all over, made quite abit of webbing over its hide only.

Can anyone confirm?

What is often called a "stripe knee" is really Aphonopelma seemanni, the Costa Rican zebra. When it's resting in its cage it usually looks like this:



However, the intensity of the black color apparently varies depending on the original locality of collection. We've seen individuals that were jet black with snow white epaulettes as well as various shades of gray to a ghostly pale gray, even tannish/brown. The color of the epaulettes also varies from snow white to a cream or tan color. Regardless of the actual colors, just about any tarantula with this color pattern and the ginger to tan belly and spinnerets as shown in this photo:



... is almost certainly Aphonopelma seemanni, the Costa Rican zebra.

Seemannis are almost as easy to care for as any other Aphonopelma species. Their one little idiosyncrasy is that some time before they're due to molt (often several months in advance) their abdomen begins to appear shriveled and wrinkled. This is seldom a fatal condition and is treated by merely supplying a larger water dish and covering the cage with plastic food wrap to prevent all ventilation. (Don't worry. The tarantula won't suffocate. Their oxygen requirements are far too low for that.)

After molting they fill out again and their colors are as vibrant as ever.

These tarantulas tend to be a bit jumpy, although they seldom, if ever bite. While some of us handle them freely, if handling is your goal you might better choose a different kind. Gorgeous animals!

Having said that, your comment, "tan/light brown colour all over," has me very worried that your friendly, neighborhood pet shop has struck again! And what they sold you may indeed be a very different species indeed.

We definitely need a bunch of good photos from a variety of different angles!

 

[Vilurum]

I am adamant that it isn't the Costan Rican Zebra, it was tanned on the top not the bottom (well I didn't see the bottom) I am sure its the Zebra tarantula sp guatemala based on the pics but again I will try to get some pics up soon.

 

[Chris_Skeleton]

very large swollen abdomen, a tan/light brown colour all over

See thats the thing I had a real good look at it and don't think it had any stripes lol, it was a tan/light brown all over with a dark/grayish carapace and MAYBE I am not sure had very faint little black stripes on the legs.

Does anyone realize how many spiders can be described this way? Especially by a new hobbyist.

 

[Vilurum]

Why does it matter how new someone is? I gave a good enough description to get the answer :/

Even if it turns out to be something totally different it would still add to the collection

 

[Chris_Skeleton]

Why does it matter how new someone is? I gave a good enough description to get the answer :/

Even if it turns out to be something totally different it would still add to the collection

Typically, newer hobbyists have a harder time distinguishing between spiders that look similar. That description was pretty vague, and describes many spiders, no offense. It's an easy mistake. I've confused spiders many times before.

And +1 to your last sentence. That's always a positive.

 

[Vilurum]

Well I can only say what I saw and based on the pics I am 99% sure that was it.

I will take some pics wednesday when I get this bad boy and you "pros" xd can confirm.

 

[theconmacieist]

Well I can only say what I saw and based on the pics I am 99% sure that was it.

I will take some pics wednesday when I get this bad boy and you "pros" xd can confirm.

Good luck to you and your Aphonopelma sp. Guatemala!

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

For the curious, I ran it thru an on-line currency converter and it spat out the following:

39 euros= 56.63 USD

G. rosea 25 euro=36.30 USD
A. avic 22 euro=31.95 USD
Macleays spectre stick insects 6 euro each=8.71 USD
Beardie baby 35 euro=50.83

I dunno about the rest, but that's nuts for a G. rosea over here. My female was $12.00 8 years ago. 8.26 Euros.

 

[Vilurum]

Did I mention I got her for 25 on the grounds she had 7 legs? It would of been 29 euro for an 8 legged one xd.

 

[FrostyCakee]

Ive been to two petshops that have had tarantulas labeled as "stripe knees"
and both of the T's were A. genics. Might be a trend for all petshops
Just throwing the option out there.

---------- Post added at 06:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 AM ----------

Ive been to two petshops that have had tarantulas labeled as "stripe knees"
and both of the T's were A. genics. Might be a trend for all petshops
Just throwing the option out there.

 

[Amoeba]

Ive been to two petshops that have had tarantulas labeled as "stripe knees"
and both of the T's were A. genics. Might be a trend for all petshops
Just throwing the option out there.

---------- Post added at 06:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 AM ----------

Ive been to two petshops that have had tarantulas labeled as "stripe knees"
and both of the T's were A. genics. Might be a trend for all petshops
Just throwing the option out there.

Where in Florida?

 

[Vilurum]

Ok guys so I got my "Stripe Knee" today and lol I gave alot of wrong info :S

Ok so I have it right next to me and I can gie you the best description I can (Laptop is broke can't upload pics for about a week on PS3 web browser)

Ok the tips of its feet are black and the line on each section of the leg is white.
The abomen is very large and its caracpace is a dark grey/black clouor.

Its spinnerets are BLACK and overall the T is a orangy/tanishy/brownishy colour.

I am starting to think this could be A. seemani rather than sp guatemala does A. seemani go through a colour change to get to its black colour?

Anyways just curious and I will have pics soon but not soon enough.

Oh its black underneath and if you want any more info ask me and I will try my best, thanks.

 

[captmarga]

Seemani have orange spinnerettes at all stages. My seemanis also have orange underbellies. So no...

Marga

 

[Chris_Skeleton]

Does it look like this?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...750!HAPLOPELMA_ALBOSTRIATUM_HEMBRA_ADULTA.jpg

or maybe this?
http://giantspiders.com/campestratus.jpg
Does it have urticating hairs?

Both A. seemanni AND A. sp. guatemala have orange spinnerettes. And like I said earlier in this thread, no ID is gonna be correct until you get a pic. So those who were saying it was definitely Aphonopelma seemanni without even seeing a pic, try again. :wall:

 

[Vilurum]

The spinnerets are 100% black and not orange.

It defo looks more like the second pic but it doesn't have the VERTICAL white lines.

And again my laptop battery broke so I can't upload for pics for about a week, I am using the PS3 browser atm.

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:34 PM ----------

Actually now that I stare at it for afew min I I have a chair infront of all my Ts I like to sit there for hours on end at times and watch them not move is that weird? XD)

The pedipalps have the white lines and the top (section closest the body, don;t know the correct term) has them very faintly and I think I can spot them on the other sections but if they are there they are very faint (can't turn the light on to check as I have a beardie in the same room and its his bed time XD)

Would I be right to say that the Lines would become clearer as it gets older thusly this being an indication that it still has some growing to do?

 

[theconmacieist]

Given the more thorough description I retract my ID . A lot of species do look strikingly similar but with a 99% confirmation I thought I nailed it sorry.