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

Measuring nearly a foot wide, the Goliath bird-eating tarantula takes down prey like mice and birds, then liquefies their internal organs.

Goliath Birdeater: The Biggest Spider In The World
At nearly one foot wide and weighing six ounces, the Goliath birdeater is the biggest spider on the planet in terms of weight. However, they drop down to second place behind the giant huntsman spider for the honor if measuring by leg span.

Indeed, the Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) can easily strike fear in the hearts of those who come upon it. It has a large body covered in barbed hairs known as urticating hairs — which are both intimidating and painful if ever caught on another creature’s skin — and equally enormous fangs.

This giant spider breed makes its home on the dusty forest floor of the rainforest in northern South America. It creates silk-lined burrows under the forest rocks and roots in parts of Venezuela, French Guiana, and Brazil.