The Goliath Birdeater Is the Largest Known Spider by Mass

Details

The Goliath birdeater is one of the most extreme spiders known to science. This South American tarantula can reach about 175 grams in mass and around 13 centimeters in body length, making it the largest known spider by those measures. Its legs can spread to roughly 30 centimeters, or about a foot, although the giant huntsman spider has the larger recorded leg span. That distinction matters because there is no single perfect way to define the biggest spider. Weight, body length, and leg span can produce different winners. Despite its dramatic name, the Goliath birdeater rarely eats birds. Its usual prey includes large arthropods, worms, amphibians, insects, and various small land animals. It is a ground-dwelling tarantula that lives in rainforest areas of northern South America and spends much of its time in deep burrows. It can defend itself by producing a warning sound and releasing irritating hairs from its abdomen. Its large fangs can break human skin, but its venom is generally considered relatively mild for people. The species is also notable because the fossil record gives us only a partial view of ancient spider diversity. Some commenters questioned whether the modern Goliath birdeater can truly be called the largest spider ever, especially because ancient arthropods included very large scorpions and insects. The safer scientific description is largest known by particular measurements, rather than proof that no larger spider ever existed. The Goliath birdeater is therefore less a final answer to every question about giant spiders than a remarkable benchmark for how large a living spider can get.