Aragog
One of the biggest tarantulas on the planet, Goliath Birdeaters are big, mean, and usually pretty hungry. Aragog isn't my most aggressive tarantula, but he's big enough to make me cautious. I bought him from Swift's Invertebrates in December, 2000.
I've frequently read that these tarantulas are particular moisture dependent, and I can say that based on my experience, that is undoubtedly true. I've witnessed him hanging over his water dish, presumably trying to get some of that humidity. Keep that substrate wet!
I think he just molted into a mature male. This is as big as he's likely to get.
Molts:
January, 2001: 2"
April, 2001: 3"
June, 2001: 4"
July, 2001: 5"
September, 2001: 6"
February, 2002: 7"
September, 2002: 7.5"
July 27, 2003: Alas, Aragog has died. Not entirely unexpected, but it's still a drag.
Photos from Aragog's September molt. I just missed getting it on film! Note the white fangs and the prominent book lungs on the abdomen. Those two pairs of book lungs are what separate tarantulas from regular wussy spiders.
