The Goliath Bird-Eating Tarantula (Theraphosa blondi) is recognised as the World’s Largest Known Spider by Mass, with specimens reaching up to 175 grams (6.2 ounces). Native to the rainforests of Northern South America, this formidable arachnid earns its dramatic name from its sheer size — large enough to prey on small birds, though it typically feeds on insects, frogs and rodents. Despite its fearsome reputation, the Goliath Bird-Eater is a remarkable example of the extraordinary diversity and scale of life found in South America’s tropical ecosystems.