Brazilian Jewel Tarantula (Typhochlaena seladonia)
5. Size
The Brazilian Jewel is an exceptionally small tarantula when compared to other tarantula species. In fact, it is categorized as a dwarf among the tarantula species.
While some tarantulas, such as the Cobalt Blue, have a leg span of up to 6 inches. A Candy Shop tarantula’s leg span is only 2.5 inches for females and only 2 inches for males.
Male T. seladonia have a small abdomen and small legs, giving them a distinctive appearance.
Unlike many other tarantula species, the T. seladonia has an average to slow growth rate. This explains why even adults have quite small bodies. Still, this small size means they can become adults in a relatively short time.
6. Habitat
The Candy Shop Spider’s natural habitat is the barks of the rainforest trees in Brazil. The species can be captured and brought up in captivity as a pet.
Like most other New World tarantulas, the T. seladonia species do not spin webs and rely on its trapdoor-making mechanism to capture its prey.
Some rare variations of the Brazilian Jewel, which live inside trees and tunnels, usually spin intricate webs to capture their prey.
In some countries, keeping Brazilian Jewel in captivity and collecting it as a hobby is prohibited.
Check the rules in your country about the domestication of exotic wild animals before keeping this spider as a pet.
7. Arboreal Species
The Brazilian Jewel is an arboreal or tree-dwelling species. It is well adapted to this habitat with its thin body and relatively long legs.
As part of their arboreal adaptation, these giant tarantulas have flatter legs and thick hairs on their tarsi and metatarsi, the last two parts of their legs.
The bigger surface area of their legs allows them to easily climb any surface and collect the materials they need to build their trap doors.
Their small stature and light weight give the Jewel Toe tarantula increased agility and protect them from extreme harm when they fall.
Some types of Brazilian Jewels live on tree bark and leaves. Others find refuge deep inside tree hollows created by other insects or birds. Some live in low vegetation in bushes and tall grasses.
8. Defense Mechanism
As a New World species, Brazilian Jewel tarantula uses their urticating hairs as their primary means of defense.
These spiders generally do not have a venomous bite; the bite is not a threat to humans, but it can be quite painful.
This species would rather back off and retreat to its burrow or behind its trapdoor than attack a transgressor.
But, when faced with a persistent threat, the T. seladonia will use its urticating hairs to defend itself. The hairs can cause numbness and irritation in humans.
Hair flicking attacks by this species are rare. These attacks may only occur when the tarantula feels extremely cornered and has nowhere to hide.
After flicking its hairs, the tarantula will have a bald spot around its abdominal areas where the hairs have been released.
The Brazilian Jewel is an exceptionally small tarantula when compared to other tarantula species. In fact, it is categorized as a dwarf among the tarantula species.
While some tarantulas, such as the Cobalt Blue, have a leg span of up to 6 inches. A Candy Shop tarantula’s leg span is only 2.5 inches for females and only 2 inches for males.
Male T. seladonia have a small abdomen and small legs, giving them a distinctive appearance.
Unlike many other tarantula species, the T. seladonia has an average to slow growth rate. This explains why even adults have quite small bodies. Still, this small size means they can become adults in a relatively short time.
6. Habitat
The Candy Shop Spider’s natural habitat is the barks of the rainforest trees in Brazil. The species can be captured and brought up in captivity as a pet.
Like most other New World tarantulas, the T. seladonia species do not spin webs and rely on its trapdoor-making mechanism to capture its prey.
Some rare variations of the Brazilian Jewel, which live inside trees and tunnels, usually spin intricate webs to capture their prey.
In some countries, keeping Brazilian Jewel in captivity and collecting it as a hobby is prohibited.
Check the rules in your country about the domestication of exotic wild animals before keeping this spider as a pet.
7. Arboreal Species
The Brazilian Jewel is an arboreal or tree-dwelling species. It is well adapted to this habitat with its thin body and relatively long legs.
As part of their arboreal adaptation, these giant tarantulas have flatter legs and thick hairs on their tarsi and metatarsi, the last two parts of their legs.
The bigger surface area of their legs allows them to easily climb any surface and collect the materials they need to build their trap doors.
Their small stature and light weight give the Jewel Toe tarantula increased agility and protect them from extreme harm when they fall.
Some types of Brazilian Jewels live on tree bark and leaves. Others find refuge deep inside tree hollows created by other insects or birds. Some live in low vegetation in bushes and tall grasses.
8. Defense Mechanism
As a New World species, Brazilian Jewel tarantula uses their urticating hairs as their primary means of defense.
These spiders generally do not have a venomous bite; the bite is not a threat to humans, but it can be quite painful.
This species would rather back off and retreat to its burrow or behind its trapdoor than attack a transgressor.
But, when faced with a persistent threat, the T. seladonia will use its urticating hairs to defend itself. The hairs can cause numbness and irritation in humans.
Hair flicking attacks by this species are rare. These attacks may only occur when the tarantula feels extremely cornered and has nowhere to hide.
After flicking its hairs, the tarantula will have a bald spot around its abdominal areas where the hairs have been released.
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20 December 2022
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