Largest spider

Appearance of the Goliath Birdeater

This species of tarantula ranges in colour from light tan through to dark brown and black. Their bodies and legs are covered in short hairs, which they can rub together to produce a hissing sound when they feel threatened; if that doesn’t work, they can brush off these “urticating hairs” (which can irritate the eyes and skin) to try and deter an attacker. 

Where To Find Goliath Birdeaters?

T. blondi is most prevalent in the coastal rainforests of Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana in the north-east of South America, but the species has occasionally been sighted in neighbouring countries such as Venezuela and Brazil, and even as far as Colombia.


Here's a video of the goliath birdeater - not for the faint-hearted!

Are Goliath Birdeaters Aggressive?

Despite its name, the spider very rarely has been recorded attacking birds; this reputation derives from an 18th-century engraving in which a similar tarantula is illustrated consuming a hummingbird. Much more common quarry includes invertebrates such as worms and insects, frogs, lizards and occasionally small rodents. A nocturnal predator, like other tarantulas, it does not build a web but prowls the forest floor and, after ambushing and subduing prey with venom, hauls it back to a silk-lined burrow to devour.

Other Notable Large Spiders 

The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) of Laos equals (or may even surpass) the goliath birdeater in terms of leg-span, with claims of males’ legs measuring up to 30 cm (12 in) across, but a much smaller body means their mass is significantly less. There are reports that the legs of T. blondi can also attain a span of 30 cm in exceptional cases.

Five of the Largest Spiders in the World:

1. Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)

• • Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm) leg span
  • Weight: Up to 6.2 ounces (175 grams)
  • Habitat: Rainforests of South America, particularly in Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana.
  • Description: The goliath birdeater is the heaviest spider in the world and known for its impressive size and weight. It preys on a variety of animals, including insects, rodents, and occasionally birds.

2. Huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima)

• • Size: Up to 12 inches (30 cm) leg span
  • Weight: Less than the Goliath Birdeater
  • Habitat: Found in Laos and other Southeast Asian countries.
  • Description: The huntsman spider is known for its large leg span, making it one of the largest spiders by diameter. Despite its size, it is relatively lightweight compared to the Goliath Birdeater.

3. Brazilian salmon pink birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)

• • Size: Up to 11 inches (28 cm) leg span
  • Weight: Around 3.5 ounces (100 grams)
  • Habitat: Native to Brazil, typically found in forested areas.
  • Description: This spider is notable for its pinkish hairs and large size. It is one of the most popular species kept by tarantula enthusiasts.

4. Grammostola anthracina

• • Size: Up to 10 inches (25 cm) leg span
  • Weight: Approximately 2.8 ounces (80 grams)
  • Habitat: Found in Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina.
  • Description: Known for its docile nature and large size, Grammostola anthracina is another popular species among tarantula keepers.

5. Colombian giant redleg (Megaphobema robustum)

• • Size: Up to 8.5 inches (22 cm) leg span
  • Weight: Around 2.5 ounces (70 grams)
  • Habitat: Native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Brazil.
  • Description: This spider is known for its striking red legs and robust body. It is less aggressive than some other large spiders and is often kept as a pet.
    
    

Can Goliath Birdeaters Be Kept As Pets?

Goliath birdeaters are also kept domestically and sometimes can grow to prodigious sizes akin to their biggest wild relatives. A two-year-old specimen that had been bred by Robert Bustard and reared by Brian Burnett of Alyth, Perthshire, UK, boasted a leg-span of 28 cm (11 in) and tipped the scales at 170 g (6 oz) when assessed in February 1998.