Brazilian Jewel Tarantula (Typhochlaena seladonia)
9. Trap Door Species
The Brazilian Jewel tarantula is a trap door species. It is known for its ability to create camouflaged trapdoors as part of its hunting strategy.
The tarantula will cut small pieces of organic matter, including plants, leaves, and barks, to construct the door. They then use this material to progressively build an elaborate door on the surface of the tree.
The tarantula hides behind the trap door and lays in wait for its prey to pass by. In addition to dwelling in trees, the tarantula can establish a habitat close to the earth if it means easy access to food.
The Brazilian Jewel will also use its own silk to create a trap for its prey. The tarantula operates its silk trap behind the trapdoor and ambushes any prey that gets close to it.
Once the giant spider captures its prey, it quickly scurries behind the trapdoor from where it leisurely feasts on its hunt.
seladonia also constructs trapdoors in captivity, which it uses to camouflage itself too. This makes it quite the docile tarantula as it hides behind the trapdoor much of the time and will only come out to eat.
10. Display In Captivity
The Brazilian Jewel may be the most beautiful among all the tarantula species, but it might not be a great choice for display.
Although this tarantula is not as aggressive or defensive in captivity, its docile nature takes away points and makes it a less desirable pet.
The T. seladonia hides behind its trapdoor the majority of the time. If you are looking for a tarantula you can proudly display, this one might not be due to this hiding behavior combined with its small size.
11. Temperament
The Brazilian Jewel has a calm and friendly disposition, making it a suitable pet if you do not mind its docility.
When faced with an imminent threat, the species will scurry behind its trapdoor instead of putting up a fight.
Unlike other species that use hair flicking as a defense mechanism, this tarantula does not always flick hair despite urticating hairs. It also rarely ever bites.
It is a dormant and friendly species, but it is not recommended for beginners. It is best not to handle this spider without the supervision of a more experienced hobbyist.
12. Housing
When kept as a pet, the Brazilian Jewel’s trapdoor-making behavior must be considered.
There should be enough space and suitable material in the enclosure where the spider is kept to mimic its natural habitat as closely as possible.
13. Diet
Despite its size, the T. seladonia is a big eater. It lacks sophisticated hunting skills and instead depends on simply ambushing its prey when the critters come close enough to the tarantula’s trap door.
Its diet mainly consists of small crickets and fruit fly. This tarantula should not be fed large-sized prey that could potentially attack or harm the spider in captivity.
In captivity, this species needs to be fed at least twice a week for optimal growth.
The Brazilian Jewel tarantula is a trap door species. It is known for its ability to create camouflaged trapdoors as part of its hunting strategy.
The tarantula will cut small pieces of organic matter, including plants, leaves, and barks, to construct the door. They then use this material to progressively build an elaborate door on the surface of the tree.
The tarantula hides behind the trap door and lays in wait for its prey to pass by. In addition to dwelling in trees, the tarantula can establish a habitat close to the earth if it means easy access to food.
The Brazilian Jewel will also use its own silk to create a trap for its prey. The tarantula operates its silk trap behind the trapdoor and ambushes any prey that gets close to it.
Once the giant spider captures its prey, it quickly scurries behind the trapdoor from where it leisurely feasts on its hunt.
seladonia also constructs trapdoors in captivity, which it uses to camouflage itself too. This makes it quite the docile tarantula as it hides behind the trapdoor much of the time and will only come out to eat.
10. Display In Captivity
The Brazilian Jewel may be the most beautiful among all the tarantula species, but it might not be a great choice for display.
Although this tarantula is not as aggressive or defensive in captivity, its docile nature takes away points and makes it a less desirable pet.
The T. seladonia hides behind its trapdoor the majority of the time. If you are looking for a tarantula you can proudly display, this one might not be due to this hiding behavior combined with its small size.
11. Temperament
The Brazilian Jewel has a calm and friendly disposition, making it a suitable pet if you do not mind its docility.
When faced with an imminent threat, the species will scurry behind its trapdoor instead of putting up a fight.
Unlike other species that use hair flicking as a defense mechanism, this tarantula does not always flick hair despite urticating hairs. It also rarely ever bites.
It is a dormant and friendly species, but it is not recommended for beginners. It is best not to handle this spider without the supervision of a more experienced hobbyist.
12. Housing
When kept as a pet, the Brazilian Jewel’s trapdoor-making behavior must be considered.
There should be enough space and suitable material in the enclosure where the spider is kept to mimic its natural habitat as closely as possible.
13. Diet
Despite its size, the T. seladonia is a big eater. It lacks sophisticated hunting skills and instead depends on simply ambushing its prey when the critters come close enough to the tarantula’s trap door.
Its diet mainly consists of small crickets and fruit fly. This tarantula should not be fed large-sized prey that could potentially attack or harm the spider in captivity.
In captivity, this species needs to be fed at least twice a week for optimal growth.
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20 December 2022
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