Spider That Eats Birds

You must be wondering how an ordinary spider can be big enough or capable of eating an entire bird. But you might need to get yourself ready for an incredible experience because there is a spider that has the nerve to feed on birds. Although not regularly, it captures the bird and also feeds on it with no hassle at all.

The Goliath Bird-Eating spider is of the tarantula family called Theraphosidae. This spider has a body mass of 175g(6.2 oz) and a length of up to 13cm, equivalent to 5 inches. These features make it the largest spider globally regarding body mass and a close second after the giant huntsman spider in terms of leg span.

However, you can hardly find the bird preying on birds despite the name, but that does not have anything to do with its capacity to eat birds. In terms of color, the Goliath Bird-Eating spider is mostly either tan, golden-hued or light brown. These are the regular colors that they come in.

Among the tarantula species, these spiders are among the few that do not have tibial spurs, which are located on the first pair of legs that most adult males have. In terms of general make up, the Goliath Bird-Eating spider is a wonder to behold and another fascination in nature.

The female spiders usually mature in about 3-5 years, and their average lifespan is from 15-25 years. However, their males die almost after maturation, which shortens their lifespan to about 3-6 years. The Goliath Bird-Eating Spider is distinct from other tarantula species because their females do not eat their males while mating.

These spiders are known to have hair on their bodies. You would find hair on their legs, bodies, and abdomen. Their females lay a very high number of eggs to crown it all, which ranges from 100-200, and these eggs hatch into spiderlings in about 6-8 weeks.

Go through this post to get to find out shocking realities about the biggest spider in the world. Read till the end to find out even more fascinating discoveries about the spider that eats birds.

How Do Goliath Bird-Eating Spiders Feed

Goliath Bird-Eating spiders are sneaky animals that catch their prey unawares and inject their venom on the prey. This venom can paralyze the victims; after then, the spider moves the prey to a secure location to feast on it.

However, these animals do not have teeth, so chewing and food tearing is not possible, but they regurgitate juices on their preys. They feed on worms, amphibians, and large arthropods while rarely feeding on birds. They are great at sucking, then dry, and liquidating the insides of their prey.

Apart from these identified animals that they eat, they’ve also discovered to eat lizards, rodents, toads, frogs, and snakes. Although they are named over birds that they eat, they also feed on other insects.

Where Do You Find Goliath bird-eating Spiders?

These spiders can be found in various areas and habitats, especially around South America. You see them as natives of the upland rain forests regions in the Northern part of South America. These areas include French Guiana, Suriname, northern Brazil, Guyana, and southern Venezuela.

The Goliath Bird-eating spider is hugely noticeable in the Amazon rainforest, and it is easily found in swampy regions. Apart from that, it is highly terrestrial. These areas are the primary areas where you can find these spiders that use it as their natural habitats.

6 Fun Facts About Goliath Bird-Eating Spiders

There are fascinating discoveries about the Goliath Bird-Eating spiders that continue to surprise members of the human community. These discoveries are carefully enumerated in this post for you to identify them individually. Get yourself ready for some shock!

It Doesn’t Live Up To The Name

When you hear the name Goliath Bird-Eating spider, you expect a huge spider that readily swallows birds. However, the name came about in the early 18th century by Maria Merian. But this bird rarely feeds on birds, mostly because most of its activities are done on the ground.

Birds are rarely found on the ground except for their eggs, which this spider feeds on. Despite the terrifying name that this spider has, it does not feed on birds as much as it feeds on insects and the likes.

Poor Sight

When you hear that an animal has up to eight eyes, you naturally expect the vision to be impeccable. However, that is not the case for the Goliath Bird-Eating spider because it does not see well.

As a result of this drawback on their sight, these spiders use their modified leg hairs that range from sensitive to vibration. This way, they can determine whether they are in danger or not.

They Have A Defense Weapon

Also, this spider has an unusual defense weapon that they readily wield whenever there is trouble. The weapon is the urticating hairs, which is also the harpoon-shaped hair. When they rub their legs together, they dislodge missiles into the air. When they feel threatened, they send their assailants scurrying as the hair connects. Goliath Bird-Eating spiders are good at defending themselves when they feel threatened by others or about to be attacked.

Goliath Bird-Eating Spiders Suck Their Preys Dry

These spiders are animals with inch-long fangs that act like hypodermic needles and then pump neurotoxins into their prey. Afterward, they take them to a secluded area and begin the digestion process. However, they cannot ingest them solidly, so they liquefy the prey’s insides and then suck it dry. They systematically dislodge the contents of their prey and then feast on it.

You Can Eat The Goliath Bird-Eating Spider

Although this spider’s venom is dangerous to small animals, humans cannot be affected by the venom. Above that, this spider is a delicacy eaten in certain parts of South America. But the urticating hairs of the spider are carefully removed before the spider is then roasted with banana leaves.

They Make Loud Noises

Goliath Bird-Eating Spiders make a hissing noise that is called stridulation. This sound is so loud that it can be heard 15 feet away. The noise is created when they rub their bristles on its leg together. This animal has its peculiarities, uniqueness, and distinct features that separate it from others in the tarantula family.

FAQs

Can you own a Goliath Birdeater?

Owning the Goliath Birdeater is not wise if you lack experience on how to handle the spider. This spider is huge, and it requires ample space, including the right habitat. Also, you don’t want to forget about the large fangs that this spider has. If you have experience with it, you can then own it.

Can a Goliath Birdeater kill you?

Although this spider is extremely deadly to other animals that serve as its prey, it cannot kill you outrightly, but it can harm you. The venomous fangs of the Goliath Bird-Eating spider, which is one-inch long, can do damage similar to the pain of a wasp sting. The damage it does to humans is not as lethal as that of human beings. This spider can hurt you, but the capacity is not to kill you.

In which forests Goliath bird-eating spiders are more common?

You can find the Goliath bird-eating in the rain forest from the regions of northern South America. In Suriname, north of Brazil, French Guinea, Guyana. They are commonly found in the Amazon forest.

Conclusion

This spider that eats birds is one of the wonders that we have to behold as citizens of the earth. The peculiar character of this animal separates it from others among species. The Goliath Birdeater is found around the Amazon rainforest, and it is rarely found in other parts of the world except for places where they are kept captive. Although the name Birdeater is given to them, they feed basically on worms and amphibians.

Based on their size, they capture prey that is small enough for them to catch easily. Goliath birdeater take advantage of their size and extend this reality to birds whenever they want to capture them. This spider is one that leverages its advantages, and they use it to their advantage.

However, the Goliath Birdeater is not a domesticated animal. You cannot keep this spider at home like you would keep a dog or a cat. However, they can still be bred but without the hope of them conforming to the domestic environment. Even if their venom is deadly to their prey, humans have nothing to worry about the impact because we are immune to it.

Besides, you can easily care for this spider within the confines of your house, but you have to create the right environment. They can live in a tank of about 20 gallons; however, they need the wild feel even where they are bred. This is essential because they thrive in areas where they have more hiding places.

Author Profile

Gabriel Tackett

Double major in Engineering and Geology at the University of Minnesota. Experienced shooter & hunter for over 15 years. Certified NRA officer for over 10 years working as a writer at Ballachy.com .