Although they are part of the tarantula family, some tarantulas are considered natural enemies of the Goliath bird-eating spider.
The Goliath bird-eating spider is the largest member of the tarantula family. Its body colors are a combination of light brown and dark brown. These creatures can be found in the rain forests of South American countries like Brazil and Venezuela, and they actually possess the ability to eat birds. The spider has two notable defense mechanisms, which are venom-containing fangs and the ability to shoot its barbed hairs at its enemies. These creatures are generally described as aggressive.
Although Goliath bird-eating spiders do not bite people, their bites can cause pain for several hours.
When considering its size, the Goliath bird-eating spider is commonly described as being about the size of a dinner plate. In addition to its remarkable size, its dark brown and light brown color can help differentiate it from other spiders. It is a member of the tarantula family, but some other tarantulas are considered its natural enemies.
Spiders are generally characterized as nocturnal. They live in burrows in the ground that they have created or that have been created by other creatures. Males tend to spend more time outdoors than females, but generally do not travel long distances.
Swelling of the affected area can occur after a bite from a Goliath bird-eating spider.
A common characteristic of tarantulas is that they are hairy spiders. The Goliath bird-eating spider uses its fur as one of its defense mechanisms. This spider has the ability to shoot its body hair at anything it deems an enemy. This ability can be considered quite impressive because these spiders have poor eyesight and tend to rely more on motion detection than vision.
The furry appearance of this spider gives it another ability that most other spiders do not have. You can break the silence by making a whistle. The sound is generated if the creature rubs the bristles on its legs.
These creatures have fangs, and those fangs contain poison. However, it is not powerful enough to kill a human. These spiders do not usually bite people, but when they do, they can cause pain for several hours and the victim may experience swelling, sweating, and nausea.
Female goliath bird-eating spiders attack and often kill males that attempt to mate with them. These spiders also use their venom to catch their prey. They have the ability to eat birds, but often feed on other creatures such as insects, snakes, and lizards.
If the Goliath bird-eating spider loses a limb, it will grow back. The creatures usually live around 25 years. Despite their long life, these spiders are not recommended as pets due to their aggressive temperament.