Scientific Name: Theraphosa Blondi (Latreille, 1804)
Synonyms: NIL
Theraphosa blondi was given the name the Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula when explorers witnessed a specimen feeding on a hummingbird in South America. The local natives of the rain forests occasionally eat these spiders as a delicacy. This new world terrestrial tarantula is considered as the largest tarantula in the world because of its remarkable 25-30 cm leg span. It currently holds the place in the book of Guinness World Records for the largest spider and is powerful enough to feed on frogs, toads, lizards, mice and snakes.
Theraphosa blondi is native to the rain forest-regions of northern South America. Wild Goliath bird-eaters are a deep-burrowing species, found commonly in marshy or swampy areas, usually living in burrows that they have dug or which have been abandoned by other burrowing creatures.
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| Picture: Adult Photo of Theraphosa Blondi |
The Goliath Bird-eating spider is large and very stocky spider with a broad carapace, thick legs, and a large abdomen. It is a terrestrial species and has evolved to this large, heavy body type living in the humid burrows of the tropical forests of South America. They are a hairy, light-brown coloured spider with a leg span that can extend up to about 25 cm (10 inches) but can be up to 30.5 cm (12 inches).
Though the male and female are very similar, a mature male will be more slender and long-legged, as with other species of tarantula. They mature at about 3 to 4 years and females can live for up to 25 years while males live just past reaching maturity.
General Information
Regions Found: Venezuela, Northern Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname
Type: New World Terrestrial ground Dweller/ Burrower
Lastingness: Medium Fast Growth rate, Reach maturity in 3-5 years and females can live to 25 years, whereas males will die shortly after reaching maturity
Adult Size: Leg span of 25-33cm (+-12 Inches or a foot long)
Temperament: Defensive and Skittish.Will stridulate aswell if provoked, and they possess very bad urticating bristle. Very aggressive and will make defensive hissing noises
Urticating Hairs: Yes
Venom Potency: Strong and painful. About as bad as a wasp sting,but will be able to cause mechanical damage due to the very large fang, 1 Inch Long.
Tarantula Housing: Floor space is more important than height, a deep substrate should be provided for burrowing. A good retreat is required
Temperature: 24-28°C (75-82°F)
Humidity: 80%
Special Requirements: Humidity needs to be increased near a moult to prevent problems
Experiences Needed: Advance (For Novice->Moderate->Advance->Expert)
Breeding Difficulty: Extreme Difficult
Egg Sac Size: Around 50-150 large eggs
Danger to Male: Possible sexual cannibalism, females will also cannibalize on egg sac if stressed out or provoked
Diet: Slings: Pinhead Crickets or Meal worms. (Meal worms must have to cut into two)
Larger specimens: Crickets, Meal worms, Pinky, Roaches, or Other Large Insects
Recommended Pet Supplies
- An appropriately sized Terrarium/Vivarium/Aquarium depending on sizes
- Substrate (3 to 4 inches thick of peat moss/coco peat/potting soil etc for larger specimen)
- Heating equipment e.g, heat lamps, heat mats and thermostats
- Large shallow water dish as it maybe drinks from it and it help to control the humidity (All tarantulas that have at least a 3 inches leg-span may drink from a shallow, wide water dish. Pebbles may be put for safety)
- Decorations and hiding places (e.g. drift wood, stone or ornamental features)
- Live-food (NOT for Slings/Spiderlings) as it may injured your T, Half Dead or Cut Meal worm is recommended)
Remarks
- Simple mist the wall of the T Terrarium everyday and feed once or twice a week.
- The Goliath Bird Eater is notorious for its moulting problems. A significant number of T. blondi will die as juveniles through getting stuck in a moult or simply damaging themselves while moulting. This is one reason why the humidity should be maintained at a high level, as humidity softens the moulted exoskeleton allowing it to be removed.
- Require VERY high humidity!!
Source: Internet, Wikipedia, Wiki pets,Tarantupedia
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