New World, Arboreal
Size: 5-6”
Growth Rate: Medium / fast
Natural Habitat: Brazil
Housing Needs: Arboreal setup. Higher humidity is needed and can be obtained by misting every few days and adding cups of water to the habitat. A tall piece of cork bark against a side of the enclosure is good to offer as something to anchor its web on.
Temperament and Defensiveness: Rufas are relatively docile and easy to care for and re-home if necessary. Our adults have always been on the shy side and have never shown aggression. This genus has a unique defense mechanism by which they will launch excrement when they feel threatened. It can go as far as 2 or 3 feet. They also tend to jump, especially as babies and juveniles, and are particularly sensitive to breezes. If a spiderling escapes, hold your breath as you manipulate it back into the enclosure because the slightest breath will cause it to bolt. They do have urticating hairs that some people are more sensitive to than others.
Feeding: If hungry, an adult will always take a large dubia right from my tongs.