Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula Care Sheet

The Goliath Tarantula (Theraphosa blondi)

This is considered to be the largest spider in the world!
Specimens that have 12 inch legspan have been recorded and several specimens are in the Guiness Book Of Records.

Dr. Bustard recently tried to enter the record books with a T. blondi that was, he claimed the heaviest in the world
This spider is powerful enough to feed on frogs, toads, lizards, mice and snakes. In the Survival film "Tarantula!" that Rick West was the advisor on, there was even a scene with a T. Blondi eating a Fer-de-Lance snake, that is considered to be lethal to the natives.

The local natives of the rain forests where these live, worship and occasionally eat these spiders.

Like the Selenocosmia crassipes (Whistling/Barking spider from Australia) these giants can also make sounds!

This is a deep burrowing species that flicks clouds of urticating hairs at any perceived threat.

The requirements in captivity are:

As for keeping them as pets, many people keep these giants in large 24x12x12 (inches) tanks.

Like the other rainforest species they require high humidity levels (above 80%) but you must be careful to avoid the air in the tank becoming stagnant as this appears to be the cause of some deaths in captivity.

As these are deep burrowers, the ideal substrate is peat or peat/vermiculite mix, this must be at least 4 inches deep.

An open water dish is a must, as is regular mistings to keep that humidity level high!

Food: All standard invertabrates, pinkie mice (pre-killed, NOT live!)

Geographic Range: Venezuela, northern Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname.

Aggressiveness: Generally considered aggressive.

Temperature range - 75-80 farenheit.

MORE INFO::
Animal Description:
The Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula is considered the largest tarantula in the world. This unusual and interesting species has fascinated hobbyists.

Goliath Bird Eaters are considered aggressive. Wild Goliath Bird Eating Tarantulas are a deep burrowing species, found commonly in marshy swamp areas. Reaching lengths over a foot long, they are so large and powerful that their diet consists of frogs, toads, lizards, mice, and snakes. They make a hissing noise when disturbed, and defend themselves in two ways. They can bite (their venom is relatively non-toxic) and they can also propel a cloud of hairs off of their body. The hairs are barbed and can cause severe discomfort and irritation, much like a nettle rash. Their bites will cause mild discomfort and swelling for a few hours, but generally problems in humans come not from venom but from infections seen in the bite wounds. To keep Goliaths as pets, you will need to house them in a large 24 x 12 x 12 inch tanks. Keep the temperature around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity high (above 80%), but do not let the air stagnate. They are deep burrowers, so use at least 4 (5-6 is ideal) inches of peat or peat/vermiculite mix as a substrate. The substrate should be kept moist. Give them water in a dish and mist regularly to keep humidity high. In captivity, they will eat all standard invertebrates and dead pinkie mice. Feeding live pinky mice is not recommended.

Their bodies are dark and light brown in color. They are incredibly large spiders, sometimes reaching lengths of a foot!

The Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula is aptly, yet somewhat misleadingly named. Yes, they are "Goliaths" being the largest spider in the world, but they are not bird-eaters - this moniker has stuck since Victorian times when explorers spoke of tarantulas eating humming birds. Found in northern South America, these tarantulas are so revered that many locals worship them (though its said that they occasionally eat them, as well).