Theraphosa blondi (Goliath Bird Eater Tarantula) 1-1.5"

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 as a spiderling.

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: A spiderling this size does well in a 12 by 12 by 8 inch enclosure, with about 4 inches of substrate depth and a hide around 4 to 8 inches wide, sized ahead of its current size so it has room to grow into. Many keepers like to size up one notch from the start for extra growing room, which is a fine option here too.
• Setup Tips: Give it a hide sized to roughly match its current leg span so it feels secure without wasted space, and keep the substrate deep enough to dig into if it chooses to. A pre-made hide helps this species settle in faster at any size.
• Rehousing: From here, plan on moving up to a 24 by 24 by 16 inch cage and then a 30 by 30 by 20 inch cage as it works toward its full 10 inch adult size. Growth is medium to slow for this species, so each cage tends to last around 12 to 16 months, which means plenty of time to enjoy it at every stage along the way.
• 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: Offer a cricket or roach sized around 1/4 to 3/8 inch at least once a week. This species feeds readily, and many keepers feed it more often than usual, since the extra food helps push faster growth with no downside.
• 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.

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.

Listing Notes

• This listing is for a Theraphosa blondi Goliath Bird Eater spiderling measuring around 1 to 1.5 inches in diagonal leg span, which is the size given in the title, unsexed, with roughly a 50/50 chance of male or female. This is about the size the species hatches at, the earliest stage we offer it in, so you get to watch it grow and darken into its full black adult coloration from the very start. It is not yet showing any of its adult build, and that is exactly the appeal of starting here.
• Looking for other sizes? This species is also available as a 1.5 to 2 inch Well-Started Sling, 2 inch Well-Started Sling, 2.5 inch Juvenile Female, 2.5 inch Juvenile Male, 3 to 3.5 inch Juvenile Female, 3.5 inch Juvenile, 5 to 6 inch Juvenile, or 5 to 6 inch Mature Male.
• Looking for similar species? Check out Theraphosa apophysis (the Goliath PinkToe Bird Eater) and Theraphosa stirmi (the Burgundy Bird Eater), its two closest cousins in the genus, or browse our full lineup of large tarantula species for more giants like this one.