I believe the thicker back legs gives them greater burrowing abilities.

Sent with Uncle Charlie's Pokie machine

I had to have a look at the species,since I love reading correct me if I am wrong since I am still new to this. I came across a comparison of the Goliath bird eating spider vs the Goliath baboon spider or hysterocrates hercules as to which is the bigger,must say that one doesn't look the same. Like I said just asking,willing to get burned and learn. Added a pic of the Goliath baboon spider.

From what I know it the 'goliath baboon' is an old world from the genus hysterocrates ,the 'goliath bird eater' is a new world from the genus therephosa

From what I read h.hercules is extinct ??and there are only preserved specimens around ?

Yes the Goliath baboon spider either very elusive or extinct,since there is only one preserved specimen in a museum. That's why I posted this pic,since the one in the thread doesn't look like the one I posted. Also,it is noted on other sites that people pass other spiders off as being this one.

www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2011/july/wo...-at-museum99065.html
There is a link to the showdown,Goliath bird eater vs Goliath baboon spider. There is only one specimen,it is in the natural history museum. So quite interesting.

The photo of the goliath baboon is actually a H.giggasm it was sold to me as a sling as a goliath baboon. That time, about 7 years ago I just started and didn't know anything about tarantulas. I only found out long after that it is a H.giggas and not as shown on the photo.

Cerat bought that gigas a few years ago.

This is a T.blondi and not the biggest around. The gap between my hands is 5cm.