Goliath bird-eating spider (Theraphosa blondi)

Personal information
The Zoo is home to one female bird-eating spider, Charlotte. She was born in in 2011 and arrived here in 2012. Goliath bird-eaters are the world's largest species of tarantula. Tarantula is a generic name for hairy spiders. This hairy spider can grow to a leg span of 12 inches across (about the size of a dinner plate), and they can weigh up to 2 1/2 ounces. Their bodies are dark and light brown in color. Like most spiders, they lack antennae and have four pairs of legs.

Status in the wild
Although it is not threatened in the wild, it does have natural enemies like certain spider wasps, some snakes and other tarantulas. They are most vulnerable during molting, when they are fragile and can't move very well. The most dangerous enemy the spider has is man and the destruction of its habitat.

Habitat
This giant spider is found in the South American countries of Suriname, Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela. Its preferred habitat is the wet swamps and marshy areas deep within the primary rainforest.

Diet
The size and power of the Goliath bird-eater makes it possible for them to eat larger prey. They rarely eat birds, although they may eat hatchlings. Its usual diet consists of frogs, small snakes,beetles, insects, lizards and even bats and pinky rats.