Theraphosa Stirmi - Burgundy Goliath Bird-eater

Introduction

Theraphosa blondi is widely known as the Goliath Birdeater, one of the largest tarantulas in the world. Native to North Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and South Venezuela, this New World terrestrial opportunistic burrower boasts a diagonal leg span of up to 11 inches (28 cm) and a robust, imposing body. While its size and defensive mechanisms, including irritating Type III urticating hairs and a painful bite, make it best suited for advanced keepers, recent taxonomic studies have expanded the group to include Theraphosa apophysis and Theraphosa stirmi. Although subtle differences exist, their care and husbandry in captivity are essentially identical.

Quick Species Snapshot

• Scientific Names:

  • Theraphosa blondi

  • Theraphosa apophysis

  • Theraphosa stirmi

• Common Name: Goliath Birdeater Tarantula

  • (Theraphosa apophysis is also known as the Goliath Pink Foot Tarantula)

• Type: Terrestrial, Opportunistic Burrower

• Endemic Locations: North Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, South Venezuela

• Body Length: Approximately 4” (11 cm)

• Diagonal Leg Span (DLS): Up to 11” (28 cm)

• Urticating Hairs: Yes, Type III

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Life Expectancy: Females up to 25 years; Males around 5 years

• Recommended Experience Level: Advanced

Taxonomy & Research Update

Historically, Theraphosa blondi has been the primary name used for giant tarantulas in this group. However, taxonomic revisions have revealed subtle distinctions:

• Theraphosa blondi:

  • The most common and widely available in the pet trade.

• Theraphosa apophysis (Goliath Pink Foot Tarantula):

  • Exhibits a striking, almost “boot-like” pink coloration in spiderlings, with the tips of the legs appearing like pink boots.

  • Juveniles of T. apophysis display a stunning, gradient-like color transition: the abdomen and carapace are velvet-clad in short, rusty brown hairs that can take on a metallic pink sheen, while the tarsi and metatarsi exhibit vibrant pink to pale salmon-orange hues.

  • Zebra-like pink stripes on the legs and a pink “V” pattern on the carapace are common in younger specimens.

  • As T. apophysis reaches a 5” diagonal leg span and beyond, the pink coloration fades, and the tarantula becomes predominantly red-brown.

  • Native to the tropical rainforest understories of Venezuela, it constructs its burrows beneath logs and debris.

• Theraphosa stirmi:

  • Considered slightly more slender, with subtle morphological differences (e.g., spermathecae structure in females).

Despite these differences, all three species share nearly identical care requirements. Market prices can vary; typically, T. blondi is more common, while T. apophysis and T. stirmi may be rarer and occasionally command higher prices due to scarcity.