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How venomous is the Theraphosa blondi spider?

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How venomous is the Theraphosa blondi spider?

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  1. The Theraphosa blondi - also called the goliath birdeater, is fairly harmless to humans, as are most species of tarantulas. Like all tarantulas, it has fangs large enough to break the skin of a human (1-2.5 cm). They do carry venom in their fangs and have been known to bite humans when threatened, but the venom is relatively harmless and its effects are comparable to those of a wasp's sting. Tarantulas generally bite humans only in self-defense, and these bites do not always result in envenomation (known as a "dry bite"). The goliath birdeater has poor eyesight and mainly relies on vibrations in the ground that they can sense from their burrows.

    Despite its name, the goliath birdeater does not normally eat birds. Rather, it eats mostly invertebrates such as crickets, mealworms and moths, as well as small vertebrates such as frogs, mice and lizards. The Goliath birdeater is one of the few tarantulas which can capture and eat a full-grown mouse. While feeding, the spider will turn and leave a web barrier to prevent interruption from other animals.

    The most dangerous thing about the goliath bird-eater is its ability to flick urticating hairs from its body at any creature it perceives as a threat, including humans. This is not a species of tarantula you'd keep as a pet. The tiny, almost invisible hairs that it voluntarily sends floating through the air are extremely irritating to our skin, and can cause real problems if they got into delicate mucous membranes around eyes and mouth.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theraphosa_...

    http://www.extremescience.com/BiggestSpi...


  2. Goliath??....well considering the fact that it can take down a bird....I'm going to say pretty venomous...but dont take my word =).....i dont really care about spiders, but the brown recluse spiders...ehhhh

  3. Not very. Like a strong bee sting.

  4. The goliath birdeater is fairly harmless to humans, as are most species of tarantulas. Like all tarantulas, it has fangs large enough to break the skin of a human (1-2.5 cm). They do carry venom in their fangs and have been known to bite humans when threatened, but the venom is relatively harmless and its effects are comparable to those of a wasp's sting. Tarantulas generally bite humans only in self-defense, and these bites do not always result in envenomation (known as a "dry bite").

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