The world's largest spider looks more fearsome than it is dangerous to humans. This article will discuss this spider's general habits and unique characteristics.
The goliath bird-eating spider (Theraphosa blondi) is one of the largest spiders on earth. It can reach a leg span of up to 12 inches and lives mostly in the rain forests of northern South America. It's a member of the tarantula family and prefers to live in burrows, mostly in marshes and swamps.
Anatomy
As mentioned, the leg-span of the goliath bird-eating spider can reach nearly a foot in length. Its massive fangs can penetrate the human skin between one to two and a half centimeters in depth. They are related to the tarantulas and the bird-eating spiders aren’t particularly dangerous to humans. The bite of the spider, usually only causes mild pain and swelling. Like other tarantulas, bird-eating spiders have hair covering their abdomen, bodies and legs. They are solitary creatures and their colors range from dark to light brown, with some having leg markings. The spiders molt as they grow and have the ability to grow any limbs lost in the process during this time.
Prey and enemies
The bird-eating spider, despite its name, doesn’t normally feed on birds. Besides the occasional baby bird that it does encounter, its prey mainly consists of crickets, mealworms, small vertebrates, some lizards and the occasional mouse. They don’t build webs like other spiders, to catch their prey. They use their stealth and hunting prowess to sneak up to the unsuspecting “meal”, inflicting a fatal bite with its fangs. The prey is then usually hauled back to the spider’s den to be eaten at its convenience. The bird-eating spider does have some enemies that include spider wasps, some snakes, and other tarantulas. Man, however, is the spider's biggest enemy for destroying most of its habitat, thereby reducing their numbers dramatically.
Mating and lifespan
The life span of the goliath bird-eating spider varies according to sex. Females can live an average of ten to twelve years, while males only live three to six. Males usually die soon after breeding takes place, sometimes at the hands of its mate. The female can lay between 100 to 400 eggs at a time and spiderlings hatch usually within two months. It usually will take a female three years to reach maturity.
Stidulation and urticating hairs
The most interesting thing about this spider is its ability to create noise when irritated. Being a defensive, aggressive spider, it can make a hissing noise when disturbed. It does this via stridultion, which occurs when the spider rubs the bristles on its legs together. Also the most dangerous aspect of this spider is its ability to shoot urticating hairs at its perceived threat. These microscopic hairs are barb-like and extremely irritating to our skin, lungs or mucosal tissue. It’s been reported to feeling similar to the way fiberglass particles feel.
The Goliath bird-eating spider is one of the world’s largest spiders. Living in tropical South America, it prefers a reclusive, burrowing existence. Able to tackle larger prey, it’s harmless to humans. Humans, however, due to their expansion and encroached into its habitat, have made the goliath bird-eating spider an endangered species.
References
Meish Goldman.Goliath Bird-Eating Spider:The World's Biggest Spider,Beauposrt publishing Co.,2007
