Goliath Birdeater Tarantula

• ExerciseLow

  Mostly a sit-and-watch animal — good hides and enrichment matter more than exercise.

• GroomingAttentive husbandry

  Attentive husbandry — regular cleaning, misting and shed checks.

• Living spaceRoom-scale enclosure

  Needs a huge custom enclosure — plan for serious space.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment15–25 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Molting issues · Dehydration · Parasites

Theraphosa blondi hails from the rainforest floor of northern South America, including Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. With a legspan up to 28-30 cm and a body weight exceeding 100 grams, it is a true giant; females can live 15-25 years while males last only a few. Despite the name it eats mostly insects and small vertebrates, not birds, ambushing prey from a burrow. House this species alone in a large enclosure with deep, consistently moist substrate for burrowing, a hide, and a water dish, at 24-28C with high humidity near 80 percent and good airflow. Feed large roaches and appropriately sized prey. It is defensive and possesses exceptionally irritating, barbed urticating hairs that can become airborne; it also stridulates a hissing warning. Not a handling species, it demands respect, space, and an experienced keeper willing to work carefully around its size.

• How active is a Goliath Birdeater Tarantula?

  Low. Mostly a sit-and-watch animal — good hides and enrichment matter more than exercise.

• How demanding is Goliath Birdeater Tarantula care?

  Attentive husbandry. Attentive husbandry — regular cleaning, misting and shed checks.

• What enclosure does a Goliath Birdeater Tarantula need?

  Room-scale enclosure. Needs a huge custom enclosure — plan for serious space.

• Is a Goliath Birdeater Tarantula a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Goliath Birdeater Tarantula live?

  15–25 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula?

  Keep an eye out for Molting issues, Dehydration, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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