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The Goliath
Tarantula (Theraphosa blondi)
This
is considered to be the largest spider in the
world!
Specimens that have 12 inch
legspan have been recorded and several specimens
are in the Guiness Book Of Records.
Dr. Bustard recently tried to
enter the record books with a T. blondi that was,
he claimed the heaviest in the world.
(see
here for details and a picture!)
This spider is powerful enough to
feed on frogs, toads, lizards, mice and snakes.
In the Survival film "Tarantula!" that
Rick West was the advisor on, there was even a
scene with a T. Blondi eating a Fer-de-Lance
snake, that is considered to be lethal to the
natives.
The local natives of the rain
forests where these live, worship and
occasionally eat these spiders.
Like the Selenocosmia crassipes
(Whistling/Barking spider from Australia) these
giants can also make sounds!
This is a deep burrowing species
that flicks clouds of urticating hairs at any
perceived threat.
The requirements in captivity
are:
As for keeping them as pets, many
people keep these giants in large 24x12x12
(inches) tanks.
Like the other rainforest species
they require high humidity levels (above 80%) but
you must be careful to avoid the air in the tank
becoming stagnant as this appears to be the cause
of some deaths in captivity.
As these are deep burrowers, the
ideal substrate is peat or peat/vermiculite mix,
this must be at least 4 inches deep.
An open water dish is a must, as
is regular mistings to keep that humidity level
high!
Food: All standard invertabrates,
pinkie mice (pre-killed, NOT live!)
Geographic Range: Venezuela,
northern Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana and
Suriname.
Aggressiveness: Generally
considered aggressive.
Temperature range - 75-80
farenheit.
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