Goliath Tarantula Habitat

The goliath tarantula, also known as the giant bird eating spider due to it's eating habits, is thought to be the largest species of spider in the world. Ordinarily these spiders grow to about 8 inches in diameter, but they have been known to get much bigger and can live to about 25 years. Although they are not known to be good pets, unlike other species of tarantula, it is possible to recreate their natural habitat and keep them.

  1. Natural Habitat

    • The goliath tarantula's natural habitat is found within the Amazon Rain Forest of South America, and it prefers a tropical climate. This giant spider nests in marshes, swamps and high within the treetops, where it waits for unsuspecting prey to wander by. Knowing this makes it easier to recreate the environment within a terrarium.

    Size Matters

    • The larger the enclosure, the better, since this giant arachnid likes plenty of room. It's massive size and love of heights will require an enclosure equal to around 90 gallons.

    Material

    • Glass aquariums provide an adequate habitat for tarantulas, but you can also try acrylic, which is much lighter than glass. Another great alternative is mesh--there are plenty of mesh reptile habitats available that can be used to house a large tarantula.

    Lighting

    • To recreate the natural light cycles of the Amazon Rain Forest, it is important to combine three different types of lighting. Keeping the habitat on a 12-hour cycle is a good idea. Provide bright light from a yellow heating lamp for 12 hours--this recreates sunlight. For the remaining 12 hours, use a black reptile light and a red heating light. This light will not be visible to the tarantula and will keep it warm.

    Humidity

    • Due to the tropical nature of it's natural habitat, the goliath tarantula needs a warm and very humid place to live. This can be established in a variety of ways, but incorporating a small mister attached to a watering stone will create a constant supply of moisture in the air and give it a clean drinking source.

    Substrate

    • Be creative with the substrate you use. Use reptile-friendly wood chips, and layer them over about three inches of moist, chemical-free soil. For added atmosphere, you can throw in a little Spanish Moss. This will not only provide ample hiding spots for the tarantula, it will keep it cool when things get too warm.

    Plants

    • You can use both live and artificial plants when decorating the spider's habitat. If you are using a realistic substrate, you can plant herb seeds directly into the habitat and grow living plants for your goliath tarantula. Plants like mint and parsley are safe.