GOLIATH BIRD-EATING SPIDER  

  • The largest species of tarantula in the world, the Goliath Bird Eating tarantula lives in the tropical forests of South America.
  • This large, stocky spider has a leg span of 10-12” with a hairy, coffee-colored body and a lifespan up to 25 years.
  • A burrowing species, their extreme size and bulk prevent them from being good climbers.

Diet

Goliath Tarantulas will eat a variety of live insects (primarily gut-loaded crickets) and should be fed small pinkie mice a couple times a month. In nature, these spiders will hunt frogs, toads, lizards, mice, and snakes – seldom small birds. Supply a small water dish at all times.

Housing  

Keep your Goliath Tarantula individually in a 30-gallon or larger terrarium with a locking screen top. These Tarantulas do not make webs, but are burrowers. Add 4-6” of bed-a-beast, vermiculite, peat moss or cypress mulch substrate and a large cork bark cave for hiding. Live or artificial plants and other décor can also be added. Keep the enclosure warm (75-85ºF) and humid (70-80%). Mist the substrate every couple of days. They can be observed at night under a red light as they explore their enclosure for food.

Handling & Care

This tarantula species is more aggressive / defensive than others and should not be handled. They are quick and nervous, making a hissing noise when they feel threatened by rubbing the bristles on their legs. To defend themselves, they can propel their barbed hairs or bite, both causing discomfort and irritation and swelling for hours. To clean their enclosure, use a scoop to move the spider to a temporary enclosure.

If your Tarantula is upside-down, it is molting, not dead. Leave it alone and remove any crickets during its molt. This is a stressful time for them, with the correct warmth and humidity levels, they will molt their exoskeleton, roll over, harden up, and within a week or two be ready for their next meal. As they prepare to molt they may get lethargic, stop eating and work at web spinning.

Change the substrate and clean the enclosure twice a year or as necessary.

Health

Generally quite hardy, signs of illness include loss of appetite, lethargy, looking overly skinny or pacing their enclosure. Problems are often caused by environmental stress. Parasites, a drop in temperature or humidity or an uncomfortable hiding place can stress your pet. Try making adjustments or moving it to a new enclosure.

Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal.