Theraphosa stirmi

Theraphosa stirmi is a species of tarantula belonging to the family Theraphosidae.[1] It is known as the burgundy goliath bird eater.[2]

Theraphosa stirmi
Female of Theraphosa stirmi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Theraphosa
Species:
T. stirmi
Binomial name
Theraphosa stirmi
Rudloff & Weinmann, 2010[1]

Distribution

This species occurs in Guyana and Brazil, in tropical South America.[3]

Description
Theraphosa stirmi

In Theraphosa stirmi the carapace can reach a length of 40 mm (1.6 in) and a width of 37 mm (1.5 in). The longest leg (the fourth) in a male had a total length of 110 mm (4.3 in). Coloration of these heavy-bodied spiders varies from rusty brown or rich burgundy-brown to dark brown, with reddish setae on legs and abdomen and white lines on the legs. Adult males lack mating spurs or tibial apophyses. Spiderlings and juveniles have pink tarsi on the front two pairs of legs.[3]

Behavior

These tarantulas hide themselves in long tubes that they dig under the surface or use abandoned rodent burrows. It is a crepuscular and nocturnal species and it is quite defensive.[2] When threatened this species will stridulate (hiss) to warn predators, it may also rear up and expose its fangs. Another self-defence mechanism of this spider is to use its back legs to flick urticating hairs from its abdomen. These hairs are microbarbed and can cause irritation of the skin and when inhaled irritate the nose and throat. As last resort it will strike with its fangs. In captivity it feeds on any suitable sized invertebrates such as large grasshoppers, cockroaches and crickets.

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References
  1. "Taxon details Theraphosa stirmi Rudloff, 2010", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2016-05-20
  2. Basic Tarantulas
  3. Rudloff, J.-P. & Weinmann, D. (2010). "A new giant tarantula from Guyana". Arthropoda Scientia. 1: 21–40. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
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