Here is a interesting quote from Venezuelan explorer and naturalist Charles Brewer-Carías regarding some of the south american invertebrates that he has kept and studied. Quote - "I have raised the Theraphosa leblondi tarantula from the high Orinoco basin, for four years but it died, knowing that it can live for some forty years ! Also raised a great theraphoside from the Andes and will send you the picture. But the most odd and horrible mice eater was the large Scolopendra gigas that I also raised. And that animal is faster than your sight and vicious bitter, but not deadly. (almost). The scolopendra was near 40 cm or more than a foot long and was captured while walking on the shoulder of my eldest daughter......Uffffff....!"