Brazilian jewel tarantula

Typhochlaena seladonia Care Guide

The Brazilian Jewel Tarantula

Revision Date: March 2025

Introduction

Typhochlaena seladonia, commonly known as the Brazilian Jewel Tarantula, is one of the most unique and visually stunning tarantulas in the world. Native to Brazil, this small arboreal species is known for its iridescent coloration and intricate burrowing behaviors inside tree bark crevices. Unlike most arboreal tarantulas, T. seladonia is a facultative burrower, meaning it creates its own retreats using silk and bark rather than just relying on webbing. Essentially they make little trap door burrows in the cork bark that are nearly perfectly camouflaged. Due to its rarity, specialized care requirements, and current legal status, this species remains highly sought after but is not widely available in the hobby.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Name: Typhochlaena seladonia

• Common Names: Brazilian Jewel Tarantula

• Type: Arboreal (with burrowing tendencies)

• Category: New World

• Native Range: Brazil (Bahia and Sergipe states, Atlantic Rainforest)

• Size: ~2 inches (5 cm) diagonal leg span

• Urticating Hairs: None

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Life Expectancy: Females ~10–12 years; Males ~3–4 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Advanced

Etymology & Taxonomic Revisions

The genus Typhochlaena was first described in 1850 by Carl Ludwig Koch, and T. seladonia was later included in the revision of the genus. The name "seladonia" likely derives from the word "celadon," referring to a pale jade-green glaze used in pottery, reflecting the species’ striking metallic green coloration.

For years, T. seladonia was an enigma in the tarantula world due to its elusive nature and limited distribution. The species gained significant attention when Brazilian researchers revisited its habitat and documented its unusual behavior of living within crevices and sealing entrances with silk doors. Unlike many arboreal species, T. seladonia prefers using existing tree hollows rather than constructing extensive web tunnels.

Legal Status & Conservation

Typhochlaena seladonia is a protected species under Brazilian law, meaning that the exportation of wild-caught specimens is strictly illegal. Any T. seladonia outside of Brazil likely originated from smuggled stock, making legal, captive-bred individuals extremely rare. As captive breeding efforts increase, this species has become more available in the tarantula hobby in the US and Europe, though they still remain very expensive due to the low number of eggs per sac and their high demand. They are very fragile as spiderlings, making their expense prohibitive to many keepers.

Due to habitat destruction in the Atlantic Rainforest, conservation efforts are crucial to preserving this species in the wild. If captive breeding efforts continue, sustainable populations in captivity could reduce the demand for wild-caught specimens in the future.

Housing & Substrate – Arboreal Setup

In the wild, T. seladonia seeks out natural crevices and depressions in tree bark, using its silk to create a hidden retreat that is both secure and camouflaged. These burrows are often sealed with a silk “trapdoor” that blends seamlessly with the surrounding bark, allowing the tarantula to retreat inside when threatened while still monitoring its surroundings. In captivity, they will exhibit similar behavior by using curved cork bark rounds or flat slabs to construct their silken retreats. Providing appropriately shaped bark pieces allows them to display their natural burrowing tendencies, spinning intricate silk-lined chambers and sealing off their entrances just as they would in the wild.

Spiderlings

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Mini, Coffin Crib Mini, Treehouse Extra Small, Sling Crib

• Substrate: Fill the bottom 1/3-1/2 of the enclosure with slightly damp Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide a vertical piece of cork bark (half-round preferred) secured with substrate, along with fake or live plants for additional cover. Drill a hole into the cork bark near the top that goes all the way through and is larger in diameter than your spider. Use live moss or dry sphagnum moss around the base of the cork bark (they will collect this to use in the camouflage of their burrow).

• Water: A shallow water dish should be provided and kept full. Misting the moss once or twice a week will help maintain humidity and a few drops on the webbing or side of the enclosure will give them access to a quick drink. It is important that this species also receives ample cross ventilation to keep the air from becoming stagnant.

Juveniles

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch Small, Small Treehouse, Coffin Crib Medium, Crib 360 - 8 inch Arboreal

• Substrate: Same as spiderlings—1/3-1/2 filled with slightly damp Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Vertical cork bark, fake/live plants, and a secure hiding spot. Same set up as for spiderling, but larger.

• Water: A small water dish should always be available.

Adults

• Enclosure Size: Tarantula Cribs Treehouse Switch-XL2.0, Large Treehouse - Clear Back, Treehouse Switch - Large, Large Coffin Crib

• Substrate: 1/3 of the enclosure filled with slightly damp Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude.

• Decor: Provide multiple vertical cork hides, branches, and artificial foliage to encourage webbing. Same set up as for spiderling, but larger.

• Water: A larger water dish at the bottom and an additional smaller dish higher in the enclosure can help ensure hydration.

Note: Use this affiliate link or enter the TTC10 code at checkout to save 10% on Tarantula Cribs enclosures.

Temperature & Humidity

• Temperature: Maintain between 70–78°F (21–27°C).

• Humidity: 60-70%, achieved through a combination of a large water dish and occasional misting. Ensure excellent cross-ventilation to prevent stagnant air, which can be detrimental to this species. Obsessing about hitting a specific humidity level can be dangerous. Just ensure the substrate is slightly damp, there is a large and shallow water bowl, and good cross ventilation and you should be fine.

Feeding Schedule

Spiderlings

• Frequency:
  Feed twice a week.

• Prey:
  Offer small prey such as flightless fruit flies, confused flour beetles, or pre-killed tiny crickets/roach nymphs. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. increase the size of the prey as the spider grows. Prekill any prey that is over 2/3 the size of the sling. For more detailed information on feeding spiderlings, watch this video: How To Feed Spiderlings & Scorplings (Baby Tarantulas & Scorpions)

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 24–48 hours after a molt before feeding. Ensure that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is not soft or shiny.

Juveniles

• Frequency:
  Feed every 7–10 days.

• Prey:
  Provide 2–3 small to medium crickets or a small Dubia roach or two.

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the widest part of the carapace, feed more prey more often.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, feed less prey, less often.
    This strategy helps prevent obesity, which can lead to molting complications or increase the risk of an abdomen rupture from even a small fall.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 3–7 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Adults

• Frequency:
  Feed every 2–3 weeks (or as needed).

• Prey:
  Offer 3-4 large crickets or one large Dubia roach, as needed (see feeding guidelines).

• Feeding Guidelines:

  • If the abdomen is thinner than the carapace’s widest part, increase feeding frequency.

  • If the abdomen is wider than the carapace, reduce feeding frequency.
    This is crucial to avoid obesity, which can interfere with proper molting or cause dangerous issues such as an abdomen rupture.

• Post-Molt:
  Wait 5–10 days after a molt before feeding, ensuring that the tarantula’s fangs are solid black and its exoskeleton is fully hardened.

Breeding Typhochlaena seladonia in Captivity

Sexual Maturity & Pairing

• Males: Reach maturity in 2–3 years.

• Females: Reach reproductive maturity in 4–5 years.

• Pairing: Introduce the male into the female’s enclosure at night, ensuring multiple escape routes for him.

Mating Process

• Males initiate courtship with palp drumming and leg tapping.

• If receptive, the female will allow insertion before retreating.

• Males should be removed immediately after mating to prevent potential predation.

Egg Sac Production

• Females produce an egg sac 3-4 months post-mating.

• Egg sacs contain 50-100 eggs.

• Maintain 75-80°F (24-27°C) with high humidity (75-80%).

Raising Spiderlings

• First instar spiderlings emerge 6-8 weeks post-sac.

• Feed pinhead crickets or fruit flies every 3-4 days.

• Provide high humidity with proper airflow.

Challenges & Considerations

• T. seladonia’s small size makes pairing tricky.

• High humidity balance is critical to avoid dehydration or mold growth.

• Ethical breeding is crucial to reducing wild collection and sustaining this species in the hobby.

Typhochlaena seladonia is one of the most breathtaking tarantulas in the hobby, but its rarity and specialized care make it best suited for experienced keepers. Captive breeding is essential to ensure sustainable, legal populations and reduce, and hopefully eliminate, illegal wild collection. If you're fortunate enough to own this species, providing proper care and ethical husbandry is critical to its long-term survival in captivity. If you are unsure about breeding your T. seladonia, reach out to your trusted breeders and dealers and they will most likely do what they can to help you successfully breed this very important species. If your pet tarantula matures to be a male, make sure to reach out and let others know in case he is needed for a breeding project. Together, as a community, we can help ensure the survival of this species in captivity as its natural habitat is destroyed, driving these species to the brink of extinction.

Final Thoughts

For those willing to meet its specialized care requirements, Typhochlaena seladonia offers a truly rewarding experience. Its striking colors, intricate webbing, and unique behaviors make it a fascinating species to observe. However, its protected status means that ensuring any specimen in your care comes from a reputable breeder is absolutely essential. By supporting responsible captive breeding, we can help preserve this incredible tarantula while discouraging illegal collection from the wild. If you have the opportunity to work with T. seladonia, approach it with the respect and dedication it deserves, your efforts will play a role in securing its future in the hobby.

Typhochlaena seladonia is one of the most unique and visually stunning tarantulas in the world, but its delicate nature and strict legal protections make it a species best suited for advanced keepers. Its preference for creating silk-sealed retreats rather than traditional arboreal webbing makes it a fascinating species to observe, but also one that requires precision in husbandry. Due to its rarity and conservation status, any T. seladonia in the hobby should come from reputable captive-breeding efforts. Supporting ethical breeding programs not only helps preserve this species in captivity but also reduces pressure on wild populations. Responsible husbandry and breeding efforts will ensure that future generations of keepers can continue to enjoy this incredible tarantula without contributing to illegal wildlife trade.

Additional Recommendations

For enclosures, I highly recommend Tarantula Cribs (use affiliate code TTC10 for 10% off). Pair this with Terra Aranea by The Bio Dude for optimal substrate conditions. When sourcing your tarantulas, consider Spider Shoppe and use code TTC10 to receive 10% off. For a curated list of trusted dealers and additional discounts, visit the Dealer & Discounts section on my website.