Theraphosa stirmi

Theraphosa sturmi
Female of Theraphosa stirmi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Theraphosa
Species: T. sturmi
Binomial name
Theraphosa sturmi
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

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.[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 specie 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. 1 2 "Taxon details Theraphosa sturmi Rudloff, 2010", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2016-05-20
  2. 1 2 Basic Tarantulas
  3. 1 2 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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