Help Identify

[PuffDragon]

So I went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this past June and ran into this guy at my resort. He put quite scare into alot of the people! It was so funny. He was just hanging out on the pathways until I scooted him onto the coconuts to grab this pic. Anyone know what kind of tarantula it is? He was as big as my entire hand if not bigger.

 

[playlboi]

i don't know what that is, but that thing is huge! that would put up quite a fright to some folks!

 

[Guest]

I would say it's a goli but it's rear is kinda small. Looks like a really big span length though.

 

[Mike]

That looks to be a phormictopus cancerides, or Hatian brown Birdeater. I have kept them before. One of my favorite species.

 

[PuffDragon]

I think you might be right Mike. After a little googling I think it would have to be a male judging on his smaller abdomen. Good looking out! He was the biggest and only Tarantula I've seen in the wild.

 

[PuffDragon]

here's some pics I found on the net. I'd say they look pretty similar.

 

[olympus]

That looks like a free pet if you ask me.

 

[Mike]

I would guess male as well. I've seen plenty of T's in the wild, but never a birdeater. P. Cancerides has an appetite that won't quit, and often a temper to boot. Of course, they are hair flickers. Sounds fun, huh? :lol:

 

[PuffDragon]

Do they actually flick their hair off? As a projectile?

 

[Mike]

Oh, yes. Clouds of it. The worst part is that sometimes they stick around. I tell you, the hairs ITCH like hell and then sting for a while too. Not something you want to get hit by.

Itching powder used be made with T hairs. Very unpleasant.

 

[BrokenBrushes]

Correct

I believe Mike is right! It looks to be a male adult P. Cancerides. I have 3 females and one male, and my male is identical. The small abdomen is a dead give away. To bad we can't see the hooks to know for sure. Very beautiful speciman. These are very common in the pet trade. They breed very easily, so there is no reason to ever remove one of these wonderful creatures from thier natural enviroment. Great picture!