Theraphosa stirmi
| Theraphosa stirmi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female of Theraphosa stirmi | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Euarthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Theraphosa |
| Species: | T. stirmi |
| Binomial name | |
| Theraphosa stirmi Rudloff & Weinmann, 2010[1] | |
Theraphosa stirmi is a species of tarantula belonging to the family Theraphosidae.[1] It is known as the burgundy goliath bird eater.[2]
Distribution
This species occurs in Guyana, in tropical South America.[3]
Description
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.[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 aggressive.[2] It defends itself by shedding its stinging hairs, which can cause severe itching. When it feels threatened, it bites with about 2.5 cm long chelicerae. In captivity, it feeds on mice, rats, large grasshoppers, cockroaches and crickets.
References
- 1 2 "Taxon details Theraphosa stirmi Rudloff, 2010", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2016-05-20
- 1 2 Basic Tarantulas
- 1 2 Rudloff, J.-P. & Weinmann, D. (2010). "A new giant tarantula from Guyana". Arthropoda Scientia. 1: 21–40. Retrieved 2016-05-20.