Liphistius jarujini (Charcoal Armored Trapdoor Spider)

Liphistius jarujini (Charcoal Armored Trapdoor Spider)

Liphistius jarujini has a distinctly ancient, almost mechanical look to it, with a thick, heavy-bodied build and a deep charcoal to jet-black coloration that becomes more solid as it matures. The carapace (head), abdomen, and legs all carry that dense, armored appearance, with visible segmentation on the abdomen and strong, spined legs built for digging and anchoring. Juveniles tend to start off in softer gray tones before gradually darkening into that uniform black adult form. This species spends nearly its entire life in a silk-lined burrow with a hinged trapdoor, blending seamlessly into the surrounding substrate and only revealing itself when triggered by movement outside.

Why do hobbyists keep Liphistius jarujini?

• Tripline hunting behavior: Extends silk lines out from the burrow entrance and will actively rush out, tackle prey, and drag it back inside, which is far more aggressive and interactive than most trapdoor species
• True “living fossil”: One of the most primitive spider lineages, with visible abdominal segmentation and a body structure rarely seen in modern tarantulas
• Armored build: Thick legs with noticeable spines and a dense, plated look that gives it a very distinct presence in any collection
• Burrow engineering: Constructs a functional trapdoor and often positions itself just inside, especially when conditions are dialed in properly
• Long lifespan: A long-term species that rewards stable setups and patience

Care Overview?

• Enclosure: Fossorial setup, 2× leg span footprint and 3× height, with 2–3× leg span substrate depth; use a firm, compactable mix such as ~75% coco fiber and 25% sand, slightly sloped if possible to encourage natural burrow angles, and always provide a starter hole
• Temperature: 65–75°F
• Humidity: Substrate should remain consistently slightly moist, never dry and never waterlogged; moisture retention is critical for burrow stability
• Diet: Crickets, roaches, or similar prey; offer a couple items roughly the size of the carapace (head), adjusting based on abdomen size and feeding response
• Temperament: Extremely reclusive and retreat-focused, rarely seen outside of feeding behavior; not suited for handling

Additional Notes or Considerations?

This Old World spider for sale depends heavily on proper substrate. If the soil dries out, burrows can collapse and the spider may abandon its structure. While they will sometimes build along natural slopes or enclosure corners, creating a slight incline can help encourage more natural tunnel placement, though it is not required. Water dishes should be shallow and textured, as their body structure is not suited for climbing smooth surfaces. Once established, they often sit just behind the trapdoor with trip lines extended, making nighttime feeding one of the most rewarding aspects of keeping this species