Goliath Birdeater

Upland rainforest regions of northern South America, particularly in swampy or marshy areas where it resides in deep burrows.

Carnivorous predator feeding mostly on large invertebrates such as earthworms, beetles, and crickets, as well as small vertebrates like frogs, lizards, rodents, and occasionally small birds.

Nocturnal and solitary animal that lives in self-dug burrows or abandoned burrows. Defends itself by stridulating (making a loud hissing noise) and flicking barbed urticating hairs from its abdomen.

Venomous with a bite similar to a wasp sting to humans, and urticating hairs cause severe skin and respiratory irritation. Beneficial as an apex invertebrate predator controlling populations of various pests in its native ecosystem.