Goliath Birdeater

Theraphosa stirmi

The Goliath Birdeater is one of the largest spiders in the world! Despite its size, it mostly eats insects and is not dangerous to people.

Habitat: Rainforests of South America

Appearance

The Goliath Birdeater is a massive, heavily-built tarantula covered in reddish-brown hairs. Its stocky body and thick, dark legs make it visually distinct from smaller, sleeker spiders.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassArachnidaOrderAraneaeFamilyTheraphosidaeGenusTheraphosa

Goliath Birdeater

Interesting facts

A Goliath Birdeater can regrow a lost leg after shedding its skin!

Despite their name, their diet mostly consists of worms and insects!

These huge spiders can make a loud hissing sound when threatened!

They hold the world record for being the largest and heaviest spider!

Special abilities

Goliath Birdeater can release irritating hairs from its abdomen because they help them deter predators.

Goliath Birdeater has sensitive leg hairs that help them detect tiny ground vibrations, sensing prey and danger.

Goliath Birdeater can deliver a potent bite with large fangs that helps them subdue prey and inject venom.

Measurements & details

Size: 100-120 mm
Lifespan: 5475-9125 days
Leg Count: 8

Diet & Feeding

A giant spider that mostly eats insects, amphibians, and small rodents, despite its name!

Age differences: Younger spiders eat smaller insects, while adults can tackle larger prey.

Primary Foods

crickets
beetles
frogs
lizards
small rodents

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Tarantula hawk wasp

Pepsis marginata

Paralyzes and carries the spider to its nest.

eats

Rice rat

Oryzomys ratticeps

Preys on these small rodents in its rainforest home.

eaten by

Coati

Nasua nasua

Coatis are known predators of tarantulas in the Amazon.

Traits

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Rainforest

These lush, humid forests are bursting with life, where towering trees create a canopy and rainfall is abundant all year round.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Giant

Prepare to be amazed by creatures or plants that are much bigger than usual! These impressive giants really stand out in the natural world.

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.