Theraphosa stirmi
-Burgundy Goliath Bird Eater

Description

SCAM WARNING – BEWARE OF SCAMMERS SELLING THERAPHOSA: The chances of you buying a genuine Theraphosa sling is close to Zero in South Africa, so beware. Theraphosa species are very scarce in South Africa. Breeding Theraphosa species is known to be tricky and very few breeders in South Africa can brag of regular success breeding this species. People are also arrested on a regular basis trying to illegally import new and rare species in to South Africa, including Theraphosa species. However, this just adds to the rarity and demand for them, meaning there are obviously people out there who would like to scam you out of your money. Scammers are advertising Theraphosa blondi, apophysis and stirmi slings for sale via classified website listings at exorbitant prices which people happily pay due to the rarity and demand for these spiders. But when they receive their sling by mail or courier or if even at all, they soon find out that they have been sent Lasiodora parahybana slings (Salmon Pink Bird Eater), which sell for a fraction of the price. Too late, your money is gone… One can find adults for sale from time to time on legitimate online stores and with certain breeders, at this time (Spring 2018) you can find adults for anywhere between R5000 and R8000 depending on the species and the seller. There are no slings available to our knowledge at the moment but will notify all account holders the minute that changes. So register an account on our online store to stay in touch.

Scientific Name: Theraphosa stirmi

Common name: Burgundy Goliath Bird Eater | Burgundy Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula

Another of the Goliath tarantulas, the Burgundy Goliath Bird Eater is also one of the largest tarantulas in the world with legs spans reaching up to 28cm (11inches). It also has dusty brown appearance, with reddish hair/setae on the legs and abdomen so again, not the best looking tarantula, but it’s sheer size and robust looking body are what everyone is after.

Theraphosa stirmi is very similar to Theraphosa blondi except for very subtle differences. Theraphosa stirmi lacks of setae/hair on it’s patella and on the bottom of the femura (legs). It’s carapace stands higher/thicker due to larger fangs. Slings will only show “pink” feet/tarsi on leg pair 1 and 2 and their palps are dark. Mature males lack tibial spurs/hooks.

This species is generally calm, but skittish and nervous when disturbed, causing them to either flick urticating bristles or even display a threat pose accompanied by hissing caused by stridulating the bristles between their fangs. The urticating bristles of Theraphosa species (Type III) are reported to be some of the worst to come in contact with, causing severe itching and burning, so take care when working with this species as you would not like those bristles getting in your soft tissues or eyes.

They are not great as display tarantulas because they love spending time in their hides or burrows.

Venom is expected to be mild like most new world species, except that getting a bite from Theraphosa stirmi could be likened to being stabbed by a fork and the injury itself will be substantially painful regardless of any venom. The species is skittish but is not known for any severe aggression without cause, so bites are not common.