Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)

On 08/20/2000 emergency post-molt surgery had to be performed because the exuvum did not come off properly. Part of the old skin was stuck to the top of the abdomen, but was easily peeled off. One fang did not properly extract, which kept the T attached to the old skin until I was able to painstakingly remove. The fang was deformed (which may have either been the result or cause of the molting problem).

Quick stats:
Type: Terrestrial, may burrow some (uses abandoned rodent burrows in the wild)
Size (approx): 6"? Female
Feeding: Large crickets, zoophobas, medium roaches
Enclosure: 10 gallon aquarium
Substrate: 5" deep peat/vermiculite
Furnishings: Cork "burrow", water dish
Temp/Humidity: 80-84°F, 75-80% Humidity
Temperment: Rather defensive, serious hair-kicker

The T. blondi's photo album

  The T. blondi
She's not a monster... yet...

Species Information:
The ultimate! Widely known (but somewhat disputed) as the largest spider in the world. They're known to be rather aggressive and their urticating hairs are supposedly some of the worst. They require high humidity and temperature.

Feeding:
She gets big crickets and zoophobas. She may get some roaches soon too. After her troubled molt she isn't able to eat quite so aggressively, but should get along on a diet of moderate sized crickets.

Housing:
She's in a 10 gallon aquarium. There's a water dish and a cork bark shelter.

I try to keep the humidity around 75-80%. It's usually about 80-84°F in my spider room, where it is kept. Humidity is maintained by moist substrate, a water dish and misting.

Temperment:
She should be quite aggressive. So far, she's proven to be quite the hair-kicker, but that's it. She was bald in record time. Since her troubled molt, she's been less bold and eats smaller food.

Molting:
 Date  Old LS  New LS 
 08/20/2000  2¾"?  3¾" 
  - Notes: Emergency surgery needed to be performed because one fang was stuck in the molt and is deformed as a result (or possibly it was stuck in the molt because it was deformed).
 10/17/2000  3¾"  4¾"? 
  - Notes: Growing fast! Fang is improved, but not perfect.
 01/04/2000  4¾"?  6"? 
 05/21/2000  6"?  7½"? 
 

Copyright ©1999-2010 Thomas Schumm