How to Breed Goliath Tarantulas

The Goliath Tarantula, also known as the Goliath Bird-Eating Spider, is one of the largest spiders found in the world. This species of tarantula can have a leg span of up to 12 inches and prefers to live under the ground in a tunnel. The spider is a deep brown in color and has hair covering its body. The spider is easily threatened and should not be handled by humans, as it may bite, but it can be kept in captivity and bred by individuals interested in breeding tarantulas.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 aquariums with moss or mulch substrate
  • Clay pot
  • Heavy-duty gloves
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the female tarantula in a large aquarium with 10 to 12 inches of moss or cypress mulch at the bottom. Start a burrow by half burying a clay pot in the ground. The female needs a burrow in order to lay eggs.

    • 2

      Place the male tarantula in a separate aquarium with a moss or mulch substrate. Male Goliath's do not have tibial hooks for mating and are more slender than the females. Once the tarantula produces a sperm web he is ready to be introduced to the female. A sperm web is a band of silky web where the spider drops sperm.

    • 3

      Place the male tarantula into the female's enclosure. Watch this process carefully to make sure that the female does not attack or injure the male. Breeding will occur naturally at this point and the female will lay approximately 50 eggs in the burrow she created. Feed the female additional prey items during this time.

    • 4

      Remove the male spider from the female's aquarium once breeding has occurred. After approximately six weeks the eggs will hatch. After the baby spiders molt they are able to be carefully taken out of the aquarium and sold or placed in separate containers.