Goliath Birdeaters are the largest spider in the world with legspans of 30cm. and weights of 145 or 170 grams possible. This Guyanan race of Goliath has recently been described as a third species of Theraphosa - Theraphosa stirmi.

It's adult colouration, temperament and comparative ease of breeding set it apart from other goliaths, but the two distinctive traits are a lack of "mating hooks" in ultimate males coupled with the presence of "pink-feet" in early instars (spiderlings & juveniles).

Like the common Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi), ultimate (mature) males lack tibial apophyses, or mating spurs. However, like the Goliath Pinkfoot (Theraphosa apophysis), it has pink "feet" (tarsi) as a spiderling and juvenile, which is not the case in T. blondi.

Adult specimens are huge, heavy-bodied and have a post-molt colour of rich burgundy-brown with distinctive reddish setae on legs and abdomen post-molt. They also seem to have a more ferocious temperament than other goliaths.

Theraphosa

Theraphosa apophysis

Theraphosa blondi

Theraphosa spinipes

Theraphosa stirmi