Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula - The Predator Hunter

The Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula (Megaphobema robustum) is a tropical rainforest tarantula and one of nature’s prettiest spiders.

Colombian giant redlegs are terrestrial (staying on the rainforest floor and preferring to burrow), and their orange and black colored legs, large size, and heavy body serve as a visual warning to predators. However, attackers who ignore these visual cues will find this tarantula has a few more tricks up its sleeve.

Colombian Giant Redleg: Description.

The Colombian giant redleg’s hard upper shell (carapace) is black and orange colored. Its posterior (opisthosoma) is also black and streaked with orange hairs. The legs are bright orange with black banded femurs and orange hairs. The rear legs are armored with sharp spines and are exceptionally powerful.

It has a leg span of up to eight inches.

Habitat of the Colombian Giant Redleg tarantulas.

The Colombian giant redleg spider is native only to the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Brazil. It can be found under and near logs and feeds on crickets, insects, mice, and small lizards.

Males can live for up to five years, females up to 15.

Colombian Giant redlegs are also a popular pet.

How Colombian Giant Redlegs defend themselves.

The Colombian Giant Redleg does not fight like other tarantulas.

When threatened or attacked, the Colombian giant redleg will stretch out its spike-haired rear legs and bob and raise its abdomen. It will then spin in circles to confuse its attacker while kicking its hind legs back to thrust the spiked hairs into it.