Brazilian jewel Tarantulas

Brazilian jewel tarantulas is a species of aviculariine tarantula, and is the type species of the genus Typhochlaena. Its scientific name is Typhochlaena seladonia. It is unique as an arboreal spider that constructs trapdoors in the bark of trees.

The common names are: Brazilian Jewel Tarantula, Candy Shop Spider, Jeweled Pink Toe.

Adult Size: Males 3 to 4cm, Females 4 to 6cm

Type: New World, Arboreal, Dwarf, Trapdoor

Growth Rate: Medium to Fast

Temperament:  Not for beginners. Docile and Calm.

Lifespan: It is not known

Origin: Babia/Sergipe Brazil

Recommended Climate: 26-30°C (Summer), 20-24°C (Winter)

Recommended Humidity: 75-85%

Endemic Location: Brazil

Diet: Crickets, roaches and mealworms

Basic requirements for enclosure: They inhabit arboreal space and have at least 4 x the size of the spider in vertical space, 5cm to 10cm of substrate with customary water dish. The enclosure must have good cross-flow ventilation with vertical structure of any kind as these arboreal tarantulas tend to create intricate webbed homes of their own.

Brazilian jewel tarantula, the metallic-colored arboreal species will create a unique trapdoor habitat and is best suited for experienced hobbyists.

These species are not only highly sought after but also requires careful attention to its environment, including the need for good ventilation and available material for trapdoor building.

History and Taxonomy

T. seladonia was originally described by Carl Ludwig Koch, in Brazil in 1841, as Mygale seladonia. He renamed it Typhochlaena seladonia in 1850; subsequently, Eugène Simon changed it once more to Avicularia seladonia; Candido Mello-Leitão changed it back to Typhochlaena seladonia in 1928; Andrew Smith (in 1993) changed it to Iridopelma seladonia; Lina Almeida-Silva changed it to Iridopelma seladonium; and in 2012, Rogèrio Bertani finally restored the species name to Typhochlaena seladonia.

Highlights of some of the striking features of Brazilian jewel tarantulas

The spermathecae of the female Typhochlaena seladonia are long and thin, and they are spiralled distally. The male’s embolus is incredibly long. Furthermore, the dorsum of both genders is black with two rows of six spots, the posterior pair being reddish and the remaining spots yellowish. The cephalothorax of both genders is greenish.

Brazilian jewel tarantulas is also a dwarf species reaching only a few centimetres in size.

It is also a species that makes exquisite small trap-doors that are disguised, which it uses to dwell beneath and stalk its food. Despite being arboreal, they will build shelters on dead trees, near the ground, or anyplace else they feel comfortable and have good access to food.

Typically, they remove tiny bits of bark and plant material from the area surrounding their preferred dwelling, then use their silk and the materials they’ve gathered to create a flawlessly disguised trap door. Then they waited, waiting to strike at anything that approaches the trap door too closely. We’ve also heard that they might make a tiny silk trap that sits right in front of the trap entrance and that they use to run a pull-net-like net inside their hide. They whip passing prey that becomes entangled in the trap beneath the trap door and savor a juicy feast.

This small tarantula is visually striking on par with the biggest names in the industry. Its color range is the greatest of any tarantula that we have seen thus far. Take into account its protruding bulbous abdomen and hefty appearance. The color of mature males differs from that of females, but they otherwise have the characteristics of normal pink-toe males, including larger legs, a smaller belly, and palpal bulbs.
According to reports, the Brazilian Jewel is also quite gentle, showing off its irritated bum-rubbing wiggle to ward off potential attackers, but it can move swiftly and will leap to safety if it determines that’s the best course of action. This species has highly specialized dwelling requirements and makes a trapdoor.