Theraphosa stirmi (The Burgundy Goliath Bird Eater)

/ cancerides
My young adult T. stirmi.

My young adult T. stirmi.

One of the true “bird eaters”.

Although there are hundreds of species of tarantulas currently available in the hobby, nothing seems to get folks more interested (or horrified) than talk about 12″ spiders. We’ve all seen the garish news reports and sensationalized nature shows that seek to disgust and shock rather than educate with reports of ferocious arachnids with leg spans the size of “dinner plates.” For the majority of “normal” people out there, a giant spider of this size is a thing of nightmares…

For the tarantula keeper, however, it is something to be coveted; an enormous spider that could easily become the jewel of a collection.

Years ago, the Theraphosa blondi, or the true “Goliath Bird Eating Spider” was the holy grail for many collectors. Pursued for its supposed legendary size (some folks bragged of specimens reaching 14″!), this giant spider became the Humvee of tarantula collecting. Sure, they were large, beefy, and came with certain bragging rights, but their difficult husbandry requirements made them a bit impractical. Specimens had to be kept in warm, moist conditions that made proper husbandry a nightmare. Kept too moist, the animals would die from the fetid conditions. Kept too dry, and they would perish during bad molts. For many enthusiasts, keeping this exotic T became more bother than it was worth.

With the introduction of Theraphosa stimi into the hobby, keepers were given a more practical and forgiving alternative to the T. blondi.  Easier to breed than its cousin, the T. stirmi not only became more widely available, but captive-bred offspring have proven to be quite hardy in captive conditions. With a max size and appearance almost identical to a blondi, this species has eclipsed its more difficult relative in the hobby.

Several months ago, I was able to purchase a sub-adult, likely wild-caught specimen, and I was immediately in awe of its size and appetite. Since then, I’ve procured two T. stirmi slings, which have each molted once in my care. Although requiring a bit more attention to husbandry than some of my other Ts, this species is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Moist substrate + good ventilation = Happy Stirmi

Ziploc 60-qt storage bin modified to house a T. stirmi sub-adult.

Ziploc 60-qt storage bin modified to house a T. stirmi sub-adult.

Before purchasing my T. stirmi sub-adult, I spent months reading all the notes I could find by those who have been successfully keeping this tarantula. Although most report that this species is much more hardy and less moisture and heat dependent than the T. blondi, there are still some requirements that make this giant a bit more difficult to keep.  The key to keeping this spider thriving is to supply moist substrate and adequate cross-ventilation.

Check out my T. stirmi husbandry video below!

Although many use 15-20 gallon long aquariums to house their stirmis, I didn’t feel that the glass sides would provide the cross ventilation that I would need. Also, the screen tops that one might normally use on a glass aquarium would allow too much vital moisture to quickly evaporate, meaning that I would either have to cover some of the screen, or replace it with vented Plexiglas. Instead, I kept a lookout for a plastic container that I could repurpose.

A tarantula this large needs a BIG home.

For housing, I chose a 60-quart Ziploc plastic storage box. Although more shallow than a 20-gallon long aquarium, it offered about the same amount of floor space. With six locking clips, it was also wonderfully secure, even for a T this large. I modified the container using 3″ plastic vents and strategically drilled holes (to see how I made this custom enclosure, click away!)

To make sure that my substrate would retain moisture (and allow for moisture to soak in when I needed to wet it down), I used a combination of top soil, peat moss, and vermiculite in about a 60/30/10 mixture. Before adding the main substrate, I also put about 1″ layer of vermiculite on the bottom of the enclosure and soaked it down. I then packed down about 6″ of moist substrate on top of that.  This helps keep the lower levels of the substrate moist as the top layers dry out. The spider than can then retreat to its den if it needs more humidity.

For a hide, I used a 3″ pvc elbow that I angled deep down into the substrate as a starter burrow (which my specimen adopted after entering pre-molt). Although I originally started with one medium water bowl, I soon added another to keep the humidity up a bit within the enclosure.  Finally, I added some plastic vines for cover and some long fiber sphagnum moss to help with moisture retention.

For my slings, I used a 2-quart clear plastic canister with ventilation holes burned on all sides. Both were provided with about 4″ of substrate, as well as cork bark hides and small water dishes . When I first acquired my little ones, they were about 1.5″ long, and these containers were the perfect size for them. However, after only one molt, they’ve put on so much size that I will have to rehouse them after they next shed. Right now, my two are about 2.25″, and both are getting ready to molt again. This is a fast-growing species, so it may make sense to provide enclosures for slings and juveniles that allow room for growth. 

A note about temperature and humidity.

Because it was mid-summer and temps were high when I set this cage up, and the conditions inside were a bit more moist than I usually have, I decided to monitor it for a week or so before getting my spider. Twice, I added more ventilation after I noticed tiny mold spots. I wanted the humidity to be high enough to support the animal, but not so high as to foster mold, mildew, and other undesirable conditions. The combination of heat and humidity can easily create an overly stuffy and ultimately dangerous living environment for even moisture-loving Ts.

To keep conditions favorable, I usually wet down one side of the substrate once a week or so using a bottle I modified into a watering can. This allows me to simulate a downpour and adds more water than simply spraying. Because of the vermiculite, the water percolates down into the lower levels, keeping them damp while the top eventually dries out.

I don’t really monitor the humidity inside the enclosure (I soon pulled the useless Petco hydrometer in the photo above out), but I would estimate that it stays about 65% to 75% most of the year, with the humidity being even higher in the burrow.

As for temperatures, my specimens are kept at about 72-77º during the winter, and about 75-84º during the summer. They have eaten well in both seasons, and I’ve observed no differences in behavior. However, it’s important to note that warmer temps mean faster metabolisms and faster growth.

I have read accounts of some folks raising captive-bread stirmis from sling in temps that hit as low as 68º and with mostly dry substrate with a water dish. Although I don’t know if these are ideal conditions, it’s worth noting that this species can adapt to different micro climates.

It should also be mentioned that keepers have observed that wild-caught specimens are not quite as forgiving as their captive-bred counterparts when it comes to adaptability to low temperature and humidity levels. If you suspect that you have a wild-caught spider, exercise a bit more caution when controlling the environment.

A gigantic T with a gigantic appetite!

This is a species with an amazing appetite, and it must be kept well fed. My adult is around 7-8″, and in its first month with me, it was constantly hungry. During this time, I would feed it twice a week, usually offering 5 or so large crickets one day and a 1.5″ dubia roach the next. To say its feeding response was enthusiastic would be an understatement. Once, when dropping in a roach, I could only watch in awe as this spider leaped from about 7″ away to snatch up its prey. It was an impressive display and a good reminder of just how quickly this big tarantula could move.

My slings are also voracious eaters, consuming two or three medium crickets a week. Once a prey item is dropped into their enclosures, they don’t take long to quickly snatch it up and pull it into their burrows. They definitely possess impressive speed at this size.

It’s important to remember that the stirmi has an amazing appetite, so you are going to want to make sure that you are easily and consistently able to procure larger prey items for it once it reaches its adult size. I’m already looking to procure some Madagascar hissing cockroaches to fatten it up after its upcoming molt.

As always, caution is a must!

As mentioned earlier, both sling and adult stirmis can REALLY move. Despite being a large and heavy-bodied tarantula, this species is deceptively fast. And although mine would rather retreat to their burrows when disturbed, there are many examples of feisty and defensive specimens out there that will stand their ground when they feel threatened.

T.-stirmi-sling

Now, I’ve heard some folks ask about venom potency as if this species mild venom somehow makes a bite from this spider less threatening. That notion, of course, is just foolish. These Ts are known to sport fangs 1″ long or more. Just the mechanical damage from a stirmi bite could cause huge amounts of physical trauma. Couple that with the fact that they would be delivering deep puncture wounds with large fangs covered in bacteria and other contaminants, and the venom level becomes irrelevant. Make no mistake, a bite from this animal would be a nightmare.

Also, what it lacks in strong venom, it surely makes up for with some of the most potent and irritating urticating hairs of any species. Folks have described excruciating levels of burning and itching from T. stirmi hairs, and I’ve seen photos of the many raw, oozing blisters these hairs can cause. Several folks have found these hairs to be so bothersome, that they no longer keep this species. Getting haired by a stirmi is NO joke, and this threat should be taken very seriously.

Whenever working with your stirmi, wearing long sleeves, gloves, and eye-protection is definitely encouraged. Even if your specimen seems calm, all it takes is one good hairing to ruin your week. Some folks even wear face shields to protect their eyes and nasal passages from hairs. It’s also important to remember that tarantulas will often kick hairs around their enclosures, even if you don’t see them do it. That means you should always wear gloves when dealing with old substrate or cleaning dishes.

A gorgeous display tarantula for the conscientious keeper.

There is no denying the awe-inspiring size of this amazing T; it just has to be seen to be appreciated. However, although this is a species on many keepers’ wish lists, this is not an animal to be trifled with. Along with this Ts amazing size comes quite a bit of attitude and the potential for nasty bites and an incredibly painful hairing. Couple that with larger space requirements and trickier husbandry, and you have a spider that is definitely not a good match for an inexperienced keeper.

As always, don’t just take my word for it. If you are considering purchasing a T. stirmi, do your homework, search the forums, and read what other keepers have to say!

32 thoughts on “Theraphosa stirmi (The Burgundy Goliath Bird Eater)”

  1. Thanks for the refresher course i used to have a vast collection of t’s but had to sadly send them to a friend as were became unable to give them the care they needed this was years ago but now we have purchased one t blondi sling she came as a half inch this past xmas now she is 1 1/2 inches and a real beauty!

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    • Hello!

      Well, a big “welcome back” to the hobby!

      It’s funny…I spend a lot of time on the tarantula enthusiast message boards, and I can’t tell you how many folks talk about getting out of the hobby years ago only to come back later, often with even more specimens! Are you planning on getting more?

      And congrats on your T. blondi! That is certainly one heck of a gorgeous T to start back up with. 🙂 I have three of its cousin, the stirmi, and I’m LOVING watching them grow!

      All the best!

      Tom

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  2. Thanks a lot for this! It’s helped me a lot.
    I’m new to the hobby and only have 7 T’s 2 scorpions and a pede right now, but was thinking about adding this one to my collection. After reading this, I’ve decided to wait a few months and do some more research.

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    • Hi, Tim! I’m so glad that you found this helpful. The T. stirmi is an amazing tarantula, and I hope that you someday give one a try. Their husbandry is a bit more complicated then some species, but I’ve found them to be quite hardy overall. All the best!

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  5. That one is so docile that Kelley (the proud new owner of of “Kenny”) is going to be using it in presentations she does. I was a bit surprised as well, but apparently, this one has been MR. Calm and cool its entire life. It isn’t mature yet either, so she has at least another year or so with him.

    The shiz-eatin’ grin you see on moi face was not only getting to see one of these beauties up close, but to actually hold it. It is one of the reasons I went with Lasiodora parahybana as my picks for the “big boys” as they tend to be calmer and with less whacko urticating hairs.

    This T not only walked around on me, it decided I was an excellent chair and put its abdomen down in the palm of my hand after a minute and hung 4 just like Tiphane does once in a bit. (My mature female porteri.) 😀

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  6. Hi,I just saw this in the Google while searching information about T.Stirmi.Your T looks really awesome.Now I know why my girl T.Stirmi have bald abdomen,she must have kicked all the hairs in her enclosure,thank god of that I could handle her for while without worrying her hairs get kick at me xD .
    Anyway cheers and sorry for my bad english,english is not my main language. 🙂

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  7. So,I did my research on the plants and how to plant them in tarantula’s enclosure.I bought the Pothos and removed the soil then divided the plant into branches.Here are some pictures during the making xD
    (Sorry I don’t know how to post the pictures in here,so I just pasted some links for the pictures)

    There were six branches
    :- https://scontent-kul1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/13062230_10206310079578702_7331447444685274017_n.jpg?oh=e666fdc85ae43c5cf16111b418d08079&oe=57BF9070

    This is my T.Stirmi or I named her Mira’s enclosure before putting the plant
    :-https://scontent-kul1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/13087844_10206310079778707_1427917498463188761_n.jpg?oh=cd44da0ebeb13e1eb4c8e3e25a173cfe&oe=57B8A39D
    and this is after on top view
    :-https://scontent-kul1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/13087853_10206310080658729_8082835029725366113_n.jpg?oh=cf56b17ea97e154b90b4e1999691aaac&oe=57BCC1E6
    on the side view
    :-https://scontent-kul1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/13076582_10206310081218743_6926719918356916229_n.jpg?oh=e6cf93bf08f0a66fab8b20fca9506fc2&oe=57BB414B

    After planted the pothos,her enclosure looks more fun than before xD.Also when I was doing that,my girl corn snake was checking me out xD
    :-https://scontent-kul1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/13051653_10206310080178717_3781824222149411953_n.jpg?oh=fe6653ff22febb191d4fbd51738d250b&oe=57BB569F

    hehehe

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  8. my t.stirmi before this,always stay in one corner for days,now i checked her,no movement, even i poke her leg slowly…but theres no “death curl” nor web for molting…do you know what is her state..? is she dead dead or “dead”?

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      • If there was no movement at all, she is likely dead unfortunately. 😦 If it was molting while standing up, moving it could have stopped the process. Still, from what you’ve described, this wasn’t the case.

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    • Her abdomen does look quite plump (but not as dark as I would expect before a molt). Usually after they die, it will start collapsing and getting soft (although, it can take a couple days for that, depending on the temps). How long have you had her for?

      Are you certain it’s not a male? Can you get a photo of the pedipalps?

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    • Okay, I just wanted to double check. I’ve had folks contact me about tarantulas that have died that didn’t know they had mature males. I’m just trying to cross possibilities off the list.

      How large is she? Was she full grown when you got her?

      If she is dead, you can always bury her (I bury all of my pets). Or, you could look online for information on how to preserve her.

      If she is dead, I’m very sorry.

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      • When I got her,she was 1 inch big,right now she’s about 5-6 inches.I’ll wait till next morning ( at my place right now is 9:30pm) .If still no movement,then I have to bury her then. :c

        I assume if she dead,could it be from infection?

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  11. I have *finally* found a T. stirmi (large sling, 3cm). I buy my substrate in bags, so it’s already extremely damp and remains so unless I air-dry it for a few days. I have the perfect enclosure for a large sling to burrow in, and it has good ventilation, so would it be acceptable to use substrate right from the bag, or would I still need to add more water?
    Something about the warmish winter has caused light mould in even one of my arid terrestrial’s enclosures, so I’ve been removing water dishes and adding springtails. I also dug out a load of serious damp from my C. lividum from where she’d been flinging water about – so she has no water dish and a regular misting now instead (she’s dug herself in under her cork bark, so I’m assuming she’s moulting).

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    • That’s awesome! My slings are now 7″+ monsters now. They grow so fast! 🙂

      I’ve used the moist substrate right from the bad. The brand of topsoil I use comes damp and I LOVE it for setting up moist enclosures. If you can squeeze it and it holds its shape with no water dripping out of it, it’s perfect.

      Mould in the arid enclosures? Yikes. What substrate are you using? I’ve gotten it in the dry ones before after spilling water or overflowing a dish. It’s soooo annoying.

      Tom

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      • I’m going to chime in with mold as well. If it is against the glass/plastic it isn’t much to worry about. I talked with another person here in state (Colorado) who has some experience with it, and the little spot molds that show up against glass and substrate aren’t really anything to worry about. It is the stuff that grows like fungus that needs dealing with, and that is almost always a ‘wet’ issue. I was sweating bullets because I run into the spot stuff quite a bit with no rhyme nor reason as to why, other than the spores are endemic to location.

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      • I’m using dried habistat substrate, which contains tiny amounts of vermiculite. I think my problem is that the kitchen is straight off the living room, so it’s possible that the enclosures are becoming a little humid. There wasn’t any mould that looked worrying enough to be concerned for the health of the spider (and I’m sure the springtails have taken care of it by now) but it might be worth my moving my A. chalcodes elsewhere. She could, of course, have been flinging her water about, but they’re such a lazy species that I doubt it!

        Thanks for the advice on the substrate; I’ll open a fresh bag so that i can dry a little (although it doesn’t tend to drip if squeezed anyway. Also good to know they’re fast growers, as I’ll need to get hold of a friend who makes custom enclosures 🙂

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