Goliath Birdeater

Scientific Name: Theraphosa blondi

Found In: Suriname, Guyana, northern Brazil and southern Venezuela/Upland rain forests, marshes, and swamps

Size: Goliath birdeaters are the heaviest spiders in the world. They weigh up to 6 ounces and have a leg span of up to 11 inches

Diet: Carnivore. Diet consists mostly of earthworms, and occasionally small rodents, amphibians, and reptiles, despite the name “birdeater”

Threat Level: Not Evaluated. Habitat loss, the exotic pet trade, and hunting are the major threats to this species

Facts: Like other tarantulas, the Goliath birdeater’s body is covered with stinging hairs that the tarantula can release to irritate the skin and mucous membranes of predators. Their fangs are large enough to pierce the skin of a human, but their venom is about as strong as a wasp’s