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The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) belongs to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. Found in northern South America, it is the largest spider in the world by mass (175 g (6.2 oz)) and body length (up to 13 cm (5.1 in)), and second to the giant huntsman spider by leg span.
- They are the largest spider in the world. As you may know, the terms “large”, or “big” aren’t very useful on their own, as there are a few ways to define them.
- They might be the largest known spider ever to live. The remains of a 300 million-year-old spider was found in 1980; a creature with a leg span of around 48cm (19 inches), but in 2005 it was reclassified as a water scorpion, presumably because a half-meter spider is just too frightening a concept.
- They can also hiss. As if their size wasn’t creepy enough, Birdeaters release a threatening hiss when alarmed, generated by rubbing their hairs together.
- Their bite is more scary than dangerous. As with all spider fangs, these enormous hypodermic needles do contain venom, but tarantula venom is rarely medically significant – more like a wasp sting.
Learn about the Goliath birdeater, the largest spider on Earth, that lives in South American forests. Find out what it eats, how it defends itself, and why it's a delicacy in some regions.
- 3 min
May 5, 2020 · The world's largest tarantula, the foot-wide Goliath birdeater stalks the jungles of South America taking down prey as large as birds and mice. Its one-inch fangs are strong enough to break human skin and pierce a mouse's skull.
- Natasha Ishak
Oct 31, 2013 · Learn about the goliath bird-eater, the world's largest spider that can weigh up to 6 ounces and defend itself with urticating hairs. Find out what it eats, how it lives, and why some people eat it as a delicacy.
- 3 min
- Carrie Arnold
Learn about the Goliath Birdeater, the largest spider in the world, with a leg span of up to 11 inches. Find out what it eats, where it lives, how it defends itself, and whether it makes a good pet.
Jul 11, 2020 · Learn about the world's largest spider, its habitat, diet, venom, and defense mechanisms. Find out how goliath birdeaters stridulate, molt, and are used by humans.
