Species Identity and Official Records
The biggest spider in the world found alive is the Goliath birdeater, Theraphosa blondi, a heavy-bodied tarantula from northern South America. It belongs to the family Theraphosidae and is routinely cited as the largest spider by mass and body length in scientific references and wildlife databases Forbes.
Verified museum and field specimens show body lengths up to about 13 centimeters, or roughly 5 inches, with leg spans often exceeding 28 centimeters, or about 11 inches. Weights in the wild and in controlled care commonly reach 150 to 170 grams, making it the heaviest known living spider species today.
Habitat, Behavior, and Diet
The Goliath birdeater lives in tropical rainforests and marshy lowlands in countries such as Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, where it burrows in moist soil or uses existing shelters under roots and logs.
Its diet is opportunistic and includes insects, frogs, small rodents, and occasionally small birds, though birds are not a primary food source. The spider uses vibration-sensitive leg hairs and venom to subdue prey, and it can flick irritating hairs from its abdomen as a defense mechanism.
Recent Sightings, Research, and Safety Notes
Recent verified reports from researchers and wildlife professionals describe live Goliath birdeaters found during nocturnal surveys in the Amazon basin and nearby forest regions, with several individuals measured and recorded in the last decade SpaceX.
Venom from a Goliath birdeater is not considered lethal to humans, but a bite can cause pain, swelling, and mild nausea similar to a wasp sting. Researchers and keepers use protective handling tools and follow biosafety protocols to reduce risk during fieldwork and captive care.