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The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) belongs to the tarantula family Theraphosidae. Found in northern South America , it is the largest spider in the world by mass (175 g (6.2 oz)) and body length (up to 13 cm (5.1 in)), and second to the giant huntsman spider by leg span. [ 1 ]
Despite the sometimes used common names bird-eating spider and bird spider, this nocturnal ground dwelling species is not likely to ever encounter or feed on birds. These spiders predominantly feed upon invertebrates including insects and other spiders. Small vertebrates such as geckos, skinks and frogs are also part of the diet. [citation needed]
Theraphosa stirmi. In Theraphosa stirmi the carapace can reach a length of 40 mm (1.6 in) and a width of 37 mm (1.5 in). The longest leg (the fourth) in a male had a total length of 110 mm (4.3 in).
A massive Goliath bird-eating spider is found in the jungle. After handling a Whip spider, Backshall encounters the highly dangerous Wandering spider, which has the longest venom glands of any spider. Steve and the crew find a highly venomous Fer-de-lance in their camp. [10] 10: Gabon Coast
Maria Sibylla Merian's illustration of a spider eating a bird, bottom left corner.Published 1705 after a research expedition in Dutch Surinam. The genus Avicularia was erected in 1818 by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck for species previously placed in Mygale Latreille, 1802, the genus name used at the time for most mygalomorph spiders.
A spider could also simply climb into someone's mouth. But Rod Crawford, arachnid curator at the Burke Museum, said "spiders probably find sleeping humans terrifying" because we "create vibrations ...
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The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is reputed to be an avivore (hence the name), but it rarely preys on birds. [5] [6] However, other species of spider have been observed to consume birds that they capture; large orb-weaving spiders, such as the golden orbweavers, have been observed to consume small birds such as mannikin and other finches.