Theraphosa blondi (Goliath Bird Eater Tarantula)

Theraphosa blondi (Goliath Bird Eater Tarantula)

The Goliath Bird Eater, or Theraphosa blondi, is a terrestrial tarantula from the rainforests of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil. Adults are a deep, nearly solid black from legs to carapace to abdomen, the darkest and most shadowy look of the three Theraphosa species we carry. Spiderlings hatch out without any pink on the feet at all, the only one of the three that starts out this way, and simply darken further with every molt into that same near black adult look. This species only grows to about 8 to 10 inches in diagonal leg span, with a medium to slow growth rate. Like others in the genus, this species has a very long lifespan, with females reaching about 15 to 20 years while males live 4 to 5 years. This species is also remarkably hardy and forgiving to keep for its size, though it is a defensive, territorial animal, and one we recommend for keepers who want one of the true giants of the hobby. Grab this massive new world tarantula for sale today, offered here in every size we carry.

Why do hobbyists keep Theraphosa blondi?

• Deep Black Coloration: Adults come in an almost shadowy, near solid black, giving it a heavier, more ominous presence than either of its two cousins.
• Colorful Spiderlings: Slings hatch out without a trace of pink on the feet, the only one of the three that starts out this plain, and darken further with every molt into that same deep black look.
• Massive, Stout Build: Thicker leg joints, heavier legs, and a bulkier carapace (head) than either cousin give this species the most powerfully built frame in the genus.
• World's Largest Tarantulas: Theraphosa is the genus that holds the record for the largest tarantulas on earth, and hobbyists have long debated which of the three species is truly the biggest. By sheer mass and bulk, blondi is one of the strongest contenders.
• Rare in the Hobby: Demand for the legendary Goliath Bird Eater is so high that keeping it reliably in stock is a challenge, and blondi is the hardest of the three Theraphosa species to come by.

How should the Goliath Bird Eater be kept?

• Adult Size: This species hatches at around 1 to 1.5 inches and grows to an adult max of around 10 inches in diagonal leg span, so plan on real upsizing in its enclosure as it grows.
• Enclosure: Each size we carry has its own enclosure guidance sized for the animal at that stage, starting at a 12 by 12 by 8 inch setup for the smallest slings and working up to a 30 by 30 by 20 inch cage for our largest sizes. Pick a size below and that page will give you the exact dimensions for the animal you are choosing.
• Setup Tips: At every size, give this species a hide sized to roughly match its current leg span and keep the substrate deep enough to dig into, which helps it settle in quickly no matter which size you start with.
• Rehousing: This species moves through three enclosures on its way to full size, each sized ahead of the animal, with each cage lasting around 12 to 16 months at this species' medium to slow growth rate. The size page you choose below will tell you exactly where that animal sits in that progression.
• Temperature: Keep it between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This species prefers the cooler end of that range and does best without being pushed warmer, so ordinary room temperature is perfect without any extra heating needed.
• Humidity: Never let the substrate dry out completely. Keep plenty of substrate depth on hand along with a properly sized hide, and this species will settle in without any trouble.
• Water: A water dish is strongly recommended. These species are moisture-dependent, especially during molting.
• Diet: We recommend prey size from 1/4 inch up to about 1 1/2 inches depending on the size you choose, offered at least once a week. This species feeds readily at every size, and many keepers feed it more often than usual to help push faster growth.
• Temperament: This is a defensive, territorial species that prefers to be left alone rather than handled, and a slow, calm approach during any enclosure maintenance goes a long way. That bold attitude is part of what makes a full grown Goliath Bird Eater such an impressive animal to watch.

Which size should I choose?

• 1 to 1.5 inches: The size this species hatches at and the earliest stage we carry it in, a great way to watch it grow and darken into its adult look from the very start.
• 1.5 to 2 inches (Spider-Mania): A well-started size offered as part of our Spider-Mania event, just past the earliest stage.
• 2 inches: A well-started sling that has already cleared the most delicate early days.
• 2.5 inches, confirmed female: A juvenile female, already sexed, for anyone who wants to know they are raising a female from here forward.
• 2.5 inches, confirmed male: A juvenile male, already sexed, for anyone building toward an adult male specifically.
• 3 to 3.5 inches, confirmed female: A larger juvenile female with more growth already behind her.
• 3.5 inches: A mid sized juvenile with real size on it already, offered unsexed.
• 5 to 6 inches: A substantial juvenile closing in on full size.
• 5 to 6 inches, confirmed male: A mature male, ready to be a centerpiece or a breeding prospect right away.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for the Goliath Bird Eater?

• Native Range: This species comes from the rainforests of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil.
• Build Compared to Its Cousins: Of the three Theraphosa species we carry, blondi has the thickest legs and leg joints and the heaviest built carapace, giving it the bulkiest look of the three.
• Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred.

Frequently asked questions about Theraphosa blondi

• Is the Goliath Bird Eater a tarantula or a spider? Both, technically, though not the way most people mean it. Every tarantula is a spider, but not every spider is a tarantula, and you will see this one searched for as the goliath bird eater spider. Tarantulas are the heavy bodied, hairy, long lived branch of the family and this is one of the largest examples of it. If you searched for a goliath bird eater spider and ended up here, you are in exactly the right place.
• Which Theraphosa species is really the world's largest tarantula? It depends on how you measure it, and hobbyists have debated this for years. Theraphosa blondi, stirmi, and apophysis are all giants, and each has a claim depending on whether you go by leg span, body length, or overall mass. By sheer bulk, blondi is one of the strongest contenders of the three.
• Does the Goliath Bird Eater actually eat birds? Only very rarely, and it is not a regular part of its diet in the wild. The name comes from an old account of one eating a hummingbird, and it stuck even though this species feeds mostly on insects and other invertebrates, same as the rest of the Theraphosa species we carry.