Blondi - Biggest spider in the world???

[Steve Nunn]

The infamous Cojone spider from Mexico perhaps?

I've heard of the Cojone spider, but was too scared to utter the words from my lips....

 

[jw73]

Lasiodora klugi is considered to have a bigger leg span than T. blondi.

 

[taorchard1987]

i currently have a Lasiodora Parahbana, but now im not sure what to get, a T. Blondi or T. Apophysis

 

[jw73]

Get both.

 

[Sheri]

The infamous Cojone spider from Mexico perhaps?

/Lelle

It's not the size that counts - its how many inserts they get.

 

[Crotalus]

I've heard of the Cojone spider, but was too scared to utter the words from my lips....

I understand that. They are supposed to live inside cattle scrotums, devouring it from inside out. Scary.

/Lelle

 

[Tony]

I understand that. They are supposed to live inside cattle scrotums, devouring it from inside out. Scary.

/Lelle

Is it only cattle who have to worry, or those 'cattle-like' ????
T

 

[Michael Jacobi]

How large was it?

A legitimate 10.5" legspan; measured in normal stance, diagonally, tip of Leg I to tip of Leg IV, opposite side. I've seen many huge T. blondi, some almost 10 inches (I measure accurately - I don't guess or put a ruler up against a tank and approximate). They certainly weighed more, but with the larger legspan of the parahybana and its much more hirsute body, the latter was noticeably "bigger". Most "10 inch" T. blondi that I have seen have indeed been impressive, but I've never accurately measured one above about 9.5 inches (and that's with hundreds of WC flowing through my facility over the years).

Cheers, Michael

 

[Michael Jacobi]

It's not the size that counts - its how many inserts they get.

Please email that to my wife at steph@michaeljacobi.com.

 

[Crotalus]

Is it only cattle who have to worry, or those 'cattle-like' ????
T

I guess even smelling like one is enough

/Lelle

 

[Windchaser]

measured in normal stance, same size, tip of Leg I to tip of Leg 2.

Did you mean tip of leg I (1) to the tip of leg IV (4) on the opposite side? I have never heard of any measuring a T from the first pair of legs to the second.

 

[Sheri]

Please email that to my wife at steph@michaeljacobi.com.

Well, hon... I'd be lying if I said the size of the palps didn't count at all. The spider must feel those rapid insertions.

 

[Lorgakor]

Dosent the P.Rufilata have a longer legspan than P. Ornanta?

That's why I wrote (I think?), because I wasn't sure. I'm not that familiar with all the pokies. I knew one of them got pretty big though! So it's rufilata huh? I'll remember that now for the future, thanks for the correction!

 

[Rabid Flea]

I've heard of the Cojone spider, but was too scared to utter the words from my lips....

LMAO! You guys cant be serious... *searches around for a metal sports cup* nothing like that exists! *thinks to himself... im close to mexico* And if it does, i want to know what species it is... lol

 

[Vanisher]

"Biggest" is not a specific enough term as it doesn't clearly differentiate between size and weight. "Largest" and "heaviest" would be better terms.

Heaviest is T. blondi without a doubt, with weights as much as 6 ounces reported. "Largest", as in legspan, would be the more slightly built Theraphosa apophysis at 13+". Males of both of these species attain the greatest legspan.

As has been pointed out, some members of Lasiodora, especially L. parahybana (and also L. klugi and L. difficilis), commonly reach legspans equal to the typical Theraphosa (approximately nine to ten inches). It must be remembered that saying that T. blondi reaches twelve inches is like saying humans reach 7-8 feet. Sure there are some rare exceptions, but based on typical size L. parahybana is as "big" as T. blondi, albeit slightly lighter. I've seen quite a few large T. blondi over the years, but the largest spider I have ever seen was a L. parahybana.

Cheers, Michael

Hi Michael.! I am a Xenesthisfreak, as you may have figured out. How about the size for Xenesthis spp.?And i have heard that monstrosa get a little larger than for ex immanis. Do you know the record size for these species.!? Cheers.!!!///Johan

 

[Michael Jacobi]

Did you mean tip of leg I (1) to the tip of leg IV (4) on the opposite side? I have never heard of any measuring a T from the first pair of legs to the second.

DOH! I will go back and edit.

 

[Michael Jacobi]

That's why I wrote (I think?), because I wasn't sure. I'm not that familiar with all the pokies. I knew one of them got pretty big though! So it's rufilata huh? I'll remember that now for the future, thanks for the correction!

Both species are large and it isn't clear which is larger. You'll get as many people arguing for P. rufilata as for P. ornata. My own opinion, based on my collection, which includes a good number of both species, is that P. rufilata attains a greater legspan, while P. ornata gets pretty close and has a stockier build. Although a 10" legspan is often stated, a more realistic measurement for a large female would be 8" for P. ornata and 9" for P. rufilata. And as I have mentioned in other threads, Rick West has told me of seeing equally large P. miranda in India (in my own collection I haven't seen huge P. miranda but none is over 3 years old) and Andrew Smith has told me that the largest museum specimen he has examined was a P. subfusca - the original "P. bara". He didn't give me a measurement. (For more, read my interview with Andrew in the soon to be released Arachnoculture Vol 1 No 2).

Cheers, Michael

 

[Michael Jacobi]

Hi Michael.! I am a Xenesthisfreak, as you may have figured out. How about the size for Xenesthis spp.?And i have heard that monstrosa get a little larger than for ex immanis. Do you know the record size for these species.!? Cheers.!!!///Johan

I don't know. I don't have much experience with Xenesthis, other than selling X. immanis spiderlings every once in a long time. Todd Gearheart would be the one to ask.

Cheers, Michael

 

[bugsnstuff]

and Grammostola mollicoma males have been recorded to 11" legspan also

 

[Steve Nunn]

Andrew Smith has told me that the largest museum specimen he has examined was a P. subfusca - the original "P. bara". He didn't give me a measurement.

Hi,
I will Measurements for the type "P.bara" from the original description.
Female.
Body length: 60mm (this may not sound so large, but consider that half that is the carapace, that is truly massive)

carapace: length: 30mm
width: 24mm

leg I: 78mm
leg II: 76mm
leg III: 66.5mm
leg IV: 79.7mm

With measurements like those I would guess the spider to have a legspan somewhere around 22-23cm...

Cheers,
Steve