Theraphosa stirmi (Burgundy Bird Eater Tarantula) 1.25-1.5"

Theraphosa stirmi (Burgundy Bird Eater)

The Burgundy Bird Eater, or Theraphosa stirmi, is a terrestrial tarantula from the rainforests of Guyana and Brazil. Adults carry that signature burgundy coloration at the leg joints, where the bare patella segments have no hair to cover them, letting that burgundy exoskeleton color show through against the rest of the body. Spiderlings hatch out with pink feet on the front four legs only, a pattern distinct from either cousin, and lose that pink coloration as they mature into the adult's burgundy jointed look. This species only grows to about 8 to 10 inches in diagonal leg span, with a medium to slow growth rate. Like others in the genus, this species has a very long lifespan, with females reaching about 15 to 20 years while males live 4 to 5 years. This species is also remarkably hardy and forgiving to keep for its size, though it is a defensive, territorial animal, and one we recommend for keepers who want one of the true giants of the hobby. Grab this massive new world tarantula for sale today, offered here as a spiderling.

Why do hobbyists keep the Burgundy Bird Eater?

• Burgundy-Marked Joints: The hairless patella on each leg lets that signature burgundy exoskeleton color show through, a detail unique to this species in the genus.
• Colorful Spiderlings: Slings hatch out with pink feet limited to the front four legs only, a pattern distinct from both cousins.
• Great Display Species: A large, active terrestrial that stays visible and out in the open rather than hiding away.
• World's Largest Tarantulas: Theraphosa is the genus that holds the record for the largest tarantulas on earth, and this species carries that same world record reputation.
• Uncommon in the Hobby: Demand for the legendary Goliath Bird Eater genus is so high across all three species that keeping any of them reliably in stock is a challenge.

How should Theraphosa stirmi be kept?

• Adult Size: This species hatches out around 1 to 1.5 inches in diagonal leg span and grows to an adult max of about 8 to 10 inches. At this hatch size, expect to size the enclosure up more than once as it grows.
• Enclosure: At this size, this animal is kept in a 12 by 12 by 8 inch enclosure, with about 4 inches of substrate depth to dig into and a hide around 4 to 8 inches wide. Starting it in a cage already built for a bigger spiderling means it has room to grow into rather than needing an immediate move.
• Setup Tips: Include a hide sized to this enclosure from day one. Even a species that digs its own retreat settles in faster with a ready-made hide to start from.
• Rehousing: From here, the next enclosure is a 24 by 24 by 16 inch cage with 8 inches of substrate, followed by a final 30 by 30 by 20 inch cage with 10 inches of substrate. With a medium to slow growth rate, this first enclosure should last roughly 12 to 16 months, with about the same again before the final move.
• Temperature: Keep this species between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It prefers things on the cooler side and does not want to run too warm, so ordinary room temperature is exactly right.
• Humidity: Never let the substrate dry out completely. This species wants plenty of depth to dig into and substrate that stays consistently moist, not soaked.
• Water: A water dish is strongly recommended. These species are moisture-dependent, especially during molting.
• Diet: Offer 1/4 to 3/8 inch crickets, roughly the size of the carapace (head), at least once a week. This species is a strong, reliable eater from the start, and feeding it a bit more often than the weekly minimum at this stage tends to push growth along nicely.
• Temperament: This is a bold, confident animal that stands its ground rather than hiding, which is a large part of why it makes such a great display species. It is defensive and territorial, a separate trait entirely from how forgiving it is to raise day to day.

Are there any additional notes or considerations for Theraphosa stirmi?

• Captive Bred: All tarantulas at Exotics Unlimited are captive bred.
• Locality: This species is native to the rainforests of Guyana and Brazil.

Frequently asked questions about the Burgundy Bird Eater

• Is a 1 to 1.5 inch Theraphosa stirmi too small to start with? Not at all. This species is already hardy and forgiving at this size, and starting from a spiderling is exactly how most keepers of this species get going, pink feet and all.

Listing Notes

• This listing is for a Theraphosa stirmi Burgundy Bird Eater spiderling measuring around 1 to 1.5 inches in diagonal leg span, which is the size given in the title, unsexed, with roughly a 50/50 chance of male or female. This is also the earliest size we offer this species at, the actual hatch size, so it is the natural starting point for anyone looking to raise one of these giants from the very beginning. At this size, the pink on the front four legs is still fully present, and you will get to watch it gradually fade as the adult's burgundy leg joints come in over the next several molts.
• Looking for other sizes? This species is also available as a 1.5 to 2 inch spiderling, a 2 to 2.5 inch juvenile, a 3.5 inch juvenile, an about 3.5 inch confirmed female juvenile, and a 5 inch juvenile.
• Looking for similar species? Check out Theraphosa blondi (the Goliath Bird Eater) and Theraphosa apophysis (the Goliath PinkToe Bird Eater), its two closest cousins in the genus, or browse our full lineup of large tarantula species for more giants like this one.