Bird-eating spiders are big, hairy and dangerous. They not only have the largest legspan of any spider in the world, but they also have the longest fangs to deliver their poisonous bite. They're so big the spider is sometimes called the "Goliath bird-eater". The creature thrives in the deepest, tropical rainforests and feeds on almost anything it can grab.
Spider Senses: Hairs around the spider's body are linked to its nervous system, detecting vibrations made by the movements of prey. Some hairs are hollow and gather scents that tell the spider which type of prey may be near.
Put Out Your Feelers: Near the fangs, short feelers called palps wave around constantly when the spider is hunting. When prey is trapped under the spider's legs, the palps feel the victim's skin for the best place to dig in with its fangs
Attack of the Giant Spider[]
The bird-eating spider, with a legspan of up to 12 inches, is certainly big enough to capture a bird. However, there is little evidence to prove it actually stalks birds. This hatchling (shown above) most likely fell out of its nest or was already wounded.
The bird-eating spider spends most of its day in its burrow to avoid the sun and predators, such as the coatimundi (a relative of the raccoon). At night, it ventures out to find a meal and while its vision isn't too good, this creature has other super senses. It uses the fine hairs on its legs and body to senses. It uses the fine hair on its legs and body to detect vibrations and "taste" the air for scents. The slightest movement from prey sends the spider into attack mode. It closes in, grabs the victim and sinks in its long, deadly fangs.
Dart Thrower: Bird-eating spiders also have stinging hairs they can shoot like darts for defense. These hairs are barbed like porcupine quills.
Silk Trail[]
Though it doesn't spin a web, this spider does spin a silk web tub in which it rests. Also, it always leaves a small trail of silk behind it while it hunts, using it as a tripwire to alert the spider to nearby prey.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The image of the spider eating the bird on the back is shared with the Wildlife Explorer series.
- The introduction paragraph of the knowledge card erroneously calls the spider poisonous instead of venomous.
- The bird-eating spider is featured on several Monster Mania cards:
- It is first featured in Record Setters on Monster Mania 61.
- It is later featured in Animal All-Stars on Monster Mania 105.