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Burgundy Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa stirmi)

Theraphosa stirmi

The Theraphosa stirmi, known as 'Burgundy Goliath Birdeater'. It is the second most massive spider on Earth (11-12 inches legspan), almost indistinguishable from the famous T. blondi. In addition to the titanic size, it differs by the unmistakable 'bald patella' (knee without long hairs) on the legs and by the reddish-brown color ('burgundy') much more accentuated after the molt. Extremely demanding swamp terrestrial, it requires very wet substrates and stable temperatures. Less expensive and more widespread in the trade than the blondi, it maintains the same frightening urticating defense and the same lethal potential (for itself) during difficult molts.

Taxonomy
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Theraphosidae
Subfamily:Theraphosinae
Genus:Theraphosa
Species:Theraphosa stirmi

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Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

80 - 90 %

Day temperature

23 - 26 °C

Night temperature

21 - 24 °C

UVB

None

Species description

Geographic Origin and Habitat: The World Spider Catalog gives Guyana and Brazil as the distribution for Theraphosa stirmi. This recovery does not add a habitat assertion beyond that source-backed distribution.
Taxonomy and Genetics: The World Spider Catalog lists Theraphosa stirmi Rudloff & Weinmann, 2010 as an accepted species in the genus Theraphosa, family Theraphosidae. This recovery does not add genetic information.
Behaviour and Habits: This recovery does not add behavioural or natural-history assertions beyond the source-backed taxonomy and distribution stated above.
Morphology and Sexual Dimorphism: This recovery does not add morphology or sexual-dimorphism assertions beyond the source-backed taxonomy and distribution stated above.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Theraphosa stirmi must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Theraphosa stirmi must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Theraphosa stirmi must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Theraphosa stirmi must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Theraphosa stirmi must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Theraphosa stirmi must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

This species originates from: Sud America (Foreste pluviali e zone paludose della Guyana e del Brasile).

Origin

Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas

Terrestrial invertebrate profile

Diet
No verified data available
Life expectancy
No verified data available
Adult size
28 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 28 cm. The Herpeton Academy — Theraphosa stirmi source reports a maximum adult measurement of 28 cm for this species, recorded as diagonal leg span (DLS). The taxonomic record consulted is Theraphosa stirmi. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
No verified data available
Activity cycle
No verified data available
Sociality
No verified data available
Reproduction
No verified data available
Venom level
No verified data available
Handling tolerance
No verified data available
Brumation
No verified data available
Molting
No verified data available

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Pinkfoot Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa apophysis)

Pinkfoot Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa apophysis)

Theraphosa apophysis

Goliath Birdeater

Goliath Birdeater

Theraphosa blondi

Blue Fang Skeleton Tarantula (Ephebopus cyanognathus)

Blue Fang Skeleton Tarantula (Ephebopus cyanognathus)

Ephebopus cyanognathus

Colombian Lesserblack Tarantula (Xenesthis immanis)

Colombian Lesserblack Tarantula (Xenesthis immanis)

Xenesthis immanis

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False Tomato Frog

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Similar care

Cards with similar requirements, difficulty, habitat, and husbandry profile.

Venezuelan Suntiger

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Psalmopoeus irminia

Guyana Pinktoe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia)

Guyana Pinktoe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia)

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Trinidad Pink (Holothele longipes)

Holothele longipes

Orange Baboon Tarantula

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Last updated: 08/10/2026
Burgundy Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa stirmi) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium