Brazilian Jewel Tarantula

Brazilian Jewel Tarantula key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

Females 15-18 years / males 3-5 years

Size

Body length: males 9.5-12.5mm, females up to 21mm

Humidity

High

Diet

Small flying insects, cockroaches and crickets

Temperature & Humidity

Its habitat is humid forest in northeastern Brazil, so the enclosure should not be allowed to dry out.

Enclosure

Arboreal, building a trapdoor retreat in bark crevices. Use a tall enclosure with cork bark and a thin layer of lightly moist substrate, and never break open the retreat once built.

Diet & Feeding

It ambushes small insects passing the entrance. Feed spiderlings twice a week on flightless fruit flies or small roach nymphs, juveniles every 7-10 days, and adults every 2-3 weeks.

Temperament & Venom

A small, timid New World species with type II urticating hairs. It is not aggressive and hides behind its trapdoor when threatened.

Notes

Small and delicate, with limited availability. Brazil's 1999 Environmental Crimes Law prohibits keeping, trading or exporting wildlife without authorisation, so the provenance of traded animals matters. Pterinopelma sazimai is also traded as the Brazilian jewel but is a different species; this one is the small arboreal spider, so check for the name Typhochlaena seladonia.

About Brazilian Jewel Tarantula

The Brazilian Jewel tarantula is a small arboreal species native to Brazil, known for spinning a silk trapdoor over bark crevices and its striking green-and-black coloring with yellow and red spots. An advanced-keeper species.

7 things to know before welcoming a Brazilian Jewel Tarantula

1. 1An advanced-keeper species

   Brazilian Jewel tarantulas are small and sensitive to dehydration and sudden environmental changes, which is why they're considered an advanced-keeper species. It helps to have solid tarantula-keeping fundamentals before bringing one home.

2. 2Builds a trapdoor-like nest

   In the wild, this species spins a silk "door" over a crevice in tree bark and lives concealed just inside it — an unusual trapdoor-like habit. Providing cork bark with a suitable gap in captivity helps replicate this natural behavior.

3. 3Striking green-and-black coloring

   The greenish carapace contrasts strikingly with the black abdomen marked by rows of yellow and red spots, making this a visually striking species to observe. The exact pattern of the spots varies from individual to individual.

4. 4A compact body size

   Adults stay small even at full size — males reach about 9.5-12.5mm and females up to around 21mm in body length — making this one of the more compact tarantula species. Because of their size, they can escape through surprisingly small gaps, so enclosure security matters.

5. 5Fast and easily startled

   Many individuals are fast-moving and easily startled by noise or vibration, so handling isn't recommended. It's best enjoyed as a species to observe rather than handle.

6. 6Balancing humidity and airflow

   As a small arboreal species, too little humidity risks dehydration, while too much can lead to mold or poor air circulation. Finding the right balance of misting and ventilation is an ongoing part of keeping this species.

7. 7Extra care for juveniles

   Juveniles are even more vulnerable to environmental swings and dehydration than adults, especially around molting. Extra care and attention are warranted when keeping young specimens.

Frequently asked questions about Brazilian Jewel Tarantula

Q.Is this species suitable for beginners?

A.Because of its small size and sensitivity to environmental changes, the Brazilian Jewel tarantula is considered an advanced-keeper species. It's best to gain some tarantula-keeping experience before bringing one home.

Q.Can it be handled?

A.Many individuals are fast and easily startled, so handling is not recommended. It's better enjoyed as a species to observe, both to avoid stress to the spider and the risk of a fall.

Q.Why does it build a trapdoor-like nest?

A.In the wild, it spins a silk door over a crevice in tree bark, which is thought to help it hide from predators and ambush prey. In captivity, providing cork bark with a similar gap lets you observe this behavior.

Q.How big does it get?

A.Adults are small — males reach about 9.5-12.5mm and females up to around 21mm in body length — making this one of the more compact tarantula species. The enclosure can be compact too, though care is needed to prevent escapes through small gaps.

Q.Is this species regulated under CITES?

A.The Brazilian Jewel tarantula is not subject to CITES. It's still worth checking the listing details when considering a purchase.

Learn more about Brazilian Jewel Tarantula in the encyclopedia

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