Not furry either, still lovely.
Goliath Birdeater
Theraphosa blondi
Also called Goliath bird-eating tarantula, Goliath birdeater spider
From Northern South America: Venezuela, northern Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Body length (cephalothorax and abdomen); leg span up to 28 cm
Males live 3-6 years; females can reach 15-25 years in captivity
Looks how to spot one
urticating hairs
The body is covered in dense, bristly hairs, including irritating urticating hairs that can cause skin and respiratory irritation. Colour is brown to black.25
Personality what they are like
Generally not aggressive but can be defensive if disturbed. It prefers to stay in its burrow and is best left unhandled due to its potent urticating hairs and painful bite. Suitable only for advanced keepers.56
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Low activity; spends most of its time in its burrow. Activity peaks during the wet season when mature males leave the burrow to search for females.45
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Minimal grooming. Keepers must wear gloves and protective gear during maintenance to avoid contact with urticating hairs. The enclosure should be spot-cleaned and uneaten prey removed after 24 hours.65
Home where they are happiest
A terrestrial, opportunistic burrower. Needs a deep substrate (at least two-thirds of enclosure height) of soft, well-draining soil for burrowing. Ambient temperature 68-76°F (20-24°C), moderate to high humidity with a slightly damp substrate but good ventilation. A small water dish should be provided. Enclosure must be secure to prevent escape.5
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Opportunistic carnivore. In the wild eats insects, earthworms, frogs, toads, small mammals, reptiles, and occasionally birds. In captivity feed crickets, roaches, and other appropriately sized prey. Juveniles fed twice a week, adults every 2-3 weeks. Prey should be no larger than two-thirds the spider's body size.125
Company who they like around
Solitary; only comes together to mate. Must be housed alone. Not a pet for handling; its urticating hairs and defensive nature make it unsuitable for beginners.15
The story where it all began
The Goliath birdeater has been known to science since the 19th century and is famous as the world's heaviest spider. It has been kept as a pet by advanced hobbyists for decades, prized for its enormous size and impressive appearance. Its defensive urticating hairs and powerful bite mean it is not recommended for beginners.35
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Goliath Birdeater. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Goliath Birdeater?
Juveniles should be fed twice a week, while adults can be fed every 2 to 3 weeks. Furry Diary's starting plan notes that feeding depends on the spider's size and moult stage, so always observe your tarantula's condition. Prey should be no larger than two-thirds of its body size.125 Furry Diary plan
What does a Goliath Birdeater eat, and what should it never eat?
In captivity, feed appropriately sized crickets, roaches, or other insects. Never offer prey larger than two-thirds of the spider's body size, as this can cause injury. Avoid wild-caught prey that may carry pesticides or parasites.125
How much space does a Goliath Birdeater need?
Provide a secure enclosure with deep, soft, well-draining substrate at least two-thirds of the enclosure height for burrowing. The exact size varies, but the tank should allow for a water dish and plenty of floor space. A 10-gallon tank is often suitable for an adult.5
What temperature, light or water does a Goliath Birdeater need?
Keep the ambient temperature between 68-76°F (20-24°C) with moderate to high humidity. Provide a small water dish and keep the substrate slightly damp with good ventilation. No special lighting is required; natural day/night cycles are fine.5
How often should I clean a Goliath Birdeater's home?
Spot-clean the enclosure weekly and remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours. Furry Diary's plan suggests a full substrate change every 6 months. Always wear gloves and protective gear during cleaning to avoid contact with urticating hairs.65 Furry Diary plan
Can a Goliath Birdeater live with others?
No, these tarantulas are solitary and must be housed alone. They only come together to mate, and cohabitation would lead to stress or cannibalism.15
How long does a Goliath Birdeater live?
Females can live up to 25 years, while males typically have a shorter lifespan of around 3 to 6 years. With proper care, your tarantula can be a long-term companion.145
Can I handle a Goliath Birdeater?
Handling is not recommended due to its potent urticating hairs and painful bite. This tarantula is best left undisturbed in its burrow and is suitable only for advanced keepers who admire it from a distance.561
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- nationalzoo.si.edu: goliath bird eating tarantula nationalzoo.si.eduused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, diet basics, social needs
- britannica.com: goliath birdeater spider britannica.comused for origin, weight kg, coat or body, colours, diet basics
- en.wikipedia.org: Goliath birdeater en.wikipedia.orgused for length cm, history
- spideridentifications.com: goliath birdeater spideridentifications.comused for lifespan years, activity needs
- thetarantulacollective.com: goliath birdeater thetarantulacollective.comused for lifespan years, coat or body, best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs, history
- nationalgeographic.com: goliath birdeater tarantula worlds biggest spider science nationalgeographic.comused for temperament, grooming or care, fun fact
- nationalgeographic.com: goliath birdeater nationalgeographic.comused for fun fact
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.