The Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula is considered the largest tarantula in the world. This unusual and interesting species has fascinated hobbyists. Goliath Bird Eaters are considered aggressive. Wild Goliath Bird Eating Tarantulas are a deep burrowing species, found commonly in marshy swamp areas. Reaching lengths over a foot long, they are so large and powerful that their diet consists of frogs, toads, lizards, mice, and snakes. They make a hissing noise when disturbed, and defend themselves in two ways. They can bite (their venom is relatively non-toxic) and they can also propel a cloud of hairs off of their body. The hairs are barbed and can cause severe discomfort and irritation, much like a nettle rash. Their bites will cause mild discomfort and swelling for a few hours, but generally problems in humans come not from venom but from infections seen in the bite wounds. To keep Goliaths as pets, you will need to house them in a large 24 x 12 x 12 inch tanks. Keep the temperature around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity high (above 80%), but do not let the air stagnate. They are deep burrowers, so use at least 4 (5-6 is ideal) inches of peat or peat/vermiculite mix as a substrate. The substrate should be kept moist. Give them water in a dish and mist regularly to keep humidity high. In captivity, they will eat all standard invertebrates and dead pinkie mice. Feeding live pinky mice is not recommended. Their bodies are dark and light brown in color. They are incredibly large spiders, sometimes reaching lengths of a foot! The Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula is aptly, yet somewhat misleadingly named. Yes, they are "Goliaths" being the largest spider in the world, but they are not bird-eaters - this moniker has stuck since Victorian times when explorers spoke of tarantulas eating humming birds. Found in northern South America, these tarantulas are so revered that many locals worship them (though its said that they occasionally eat them, as well). | 
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