Meet The Goliath Birdeater, The Biggest Spider In The World By Weight

The Goliath birdeater’s name has given the spider a terrifying reputation, but the reality is less scary than it sounds. Although it has the physical ability to prey on birds — and occasionally it does — the so-called Goliath bird-eating tarantula mainly preys on frogs, insects, and rodents.

The Goliath birdeater is nocturnal and typically hunts at night. These fearsome arachnids actually have terrible eyesight so they use the hair on their legs to catch the vibrations from animal activity, be it predator or prey.

These tarantulas are stealthy hunters who wait until a victim is close enough for them to pounce on and trap within their leggy embrace. Their big fangs are strong enough that they can easily slice through flesh, including human skin. As its victim tries to struggle free, the spider releases neurotoxic venom, paralyzing its prey.