Hobbies And Interests
Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula
Despite its name, this spider eats more rodents and reptiles than birds. This, the world's largest spider, is native to coastal South America. It lurks in underground burrows, waiting for passing prey -- usually animals of the rainforest floor. Though not deadly to humans, the bite causes pain, nausea and profuse sweating. Toxic hairs fired from its legs when disturbed cause skin irritation. Some warning may be given -- this spider "hisses" at its enemies by rubbing its hairy legs together. The noise can be heard from 15 feet away.
Other Tarantulas
Like the bird-eaters, most tarantulas feed opportunistically on whatever small creatures pass by. The Mexican Red-kneed tarantula -- a popular pet species -- actively hunts mice and amphibians. The Chinese Bird Spider -- found in China and Vietnam -- preys on mice and rats as well as insects and frogs. Old World Tarantulas -- those found in Asia -- are generally more aggressive than the American. The Chinese Bird Spider is also known as the "earth tiger."
Trapdoor and Mouse Spiders
Trapdoor spiders are named for the hinged, silk trapdoors plugging their burrows. Lying in wait behind the half-open trapdoor at night, these feed on passing small mammals, lizards or insects. They are alerted to their prey's approach by vibrations, aided by "trip wires" of silk spun around the edge of the burrow. Australia's mouse spiders are a related species. They are named for their burrow-dwelling habits, rather than their prey, but will eat mice if opportunity arises.
Golden Orb Weavers
Australia's golden orb weavers eat mammals and birds if these blunder into their webs, though web-spinners are less likely to catch mammals than are ground-dwelling spiders. A new species of Golden Orb weaver -- the Darwin Bark Spider -- was discovered in Madagascar in 2007. Its webs -- reaching 25-meters across -- span rivers. According to an article published in "National Geographic" in September 2010, their silk is the strongest naturally occurring material yet discovered -- tougher even than the material used in bullet-proof vests. However, though it is certainly strong enough to catch bats, scientists interviewed for "National Geographic" admitted disappointment that the main prey observed in these webs are flying insects.
Camel Spiders -- an Urban Legend
Camel spiders became notorious for eating mammals -- and even attacking humans -- after allied troops came across them in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most of these stories promulgated on the internet are exaggerated. Camel spiders are desert dwellers. Although members of the arachnid family they are not true spiders, but more closely-related to scorpions. Like spiders, these ferocious predators are opportunistic hunters and will eat rodents, which they chase at speeds up to 10 miles an hour, dissolving their internal tissues with their bite.