Goliath Birdeater Tarantula

Goliath birdeater tarantula, scientific name Theraphosa blondi, is the biggest known spider in the world. It belongs to the family Theraphosidae. In total, there are about 900 species of tarantula. A goliath birdeater weighs about 120 grams, with the leg span measuring up to 30 cms (12 inches). In general, the female is more larger than the male goliath birdeater tarantula. It is also known as the goliath birdeater, only birdeater or bird eating spider. The name 'birdeater' was assigned in the Victorian era, when explorers saw a tarantula of the same species eating a hummingbird. Here is some information about goliath birdeater tarantula.

Goliath Birdeater Tarantula: Characteristics

A goliath birdeater tarantula is light to dark brown in color, usually with markings on the leg portion. Its body and legs are covered with hairs that can be either short or long. Since the goliath birdeater belongs to arthropods, it possess only an exoskeleton. The body is divided into two parts - the cephalothorax and the abdomen. The former part consists of the eyes, legs (eight in number) and excretory system; whereas, the abdomen part host the brain, spinnerets, heart, sex organs and excretory system that continues from the cephalothorax. In case of the female, the egg sac is located in the abdomen part.

Goliath Birdeater Tarantula: Habitat and Habit

The goliath birdeater tarantula is a native to the rainforests of South America. They are deep borrowers and mostly found in wet, damp and marshy areas. The goliath birdeater tarantula has poor eyesight and is nocturnal. Like other tarantulas, the goliath birdeater tarantula is a carnivore. It ambushes its prey with the help of fangs. However, in spite of the name birdeater, it does not eat birds. Instead, it feeds on a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates like mice, frogs, lizards, small snakes, beetles, spiders, crickets, moths and mealworms.

Goliath Birdeater Tarantula: Reproduction

Both male and female goliath birdeater attain maturity in about 3 years. It is likely that the female eats the male after mating. The male goliath birdeater lacks tibial spurs that are present in the first pair of legs in many tarantula species. These tibial spurs are used as a means of protection from the female during mating. After mating, the female lays about 200-400 eggs that hatch within two months. The female looks after the spiderlings; the young ones leave the mother after a few weeks and start living on their own. The lifespan of a male birdeater is about 6 years, while the female can live up to 14 years.

The goliath birdeater is quite aggressive; on being threatened, it makes a hissing noise (stridulation) by rubbing the leg bristles. It protects itself by the means of its fangs (1-2.5 cm) and urticating hairs. Though, the fangs of goliath birdeater spider is venomous, it is comparatively less toxic than the other deadly insects. Its bite causes mild pain and at times, swelling, like that of a wasp sting.

However, what one should be more careful is the urticating hairs that the goliath birdeater flickers when it is under threat. Studies have found that these hairs causes irritation of the skin and lungs. Due to these irritating hairs, the goliath birdeater is not a preferred pet, as it is with other tarantula species. Some of the indigenous people regard the goliath birdeater dish as a delicious recipe. This is the reason as to why, the population of this mighty spider is decreasing day-by-day.