We don't normally associate spiders with noise, like we do with dogs, cats, birds, etc. We are accustomed to seeing spiders silently, stealthily crawling across walls, floors, and the sidewalk. But when feeling threatened, the goliath bird-eater is capable of making a pretty loud hissing noise by rubbing bristles on its legs together. Called stridulation , it can be loud enough to be heard up to 15 feet away. These digestive juices break down the soft tissues so that the spider can slurp up its meal.
Tarantulas eat frogs, small snakes, beetles, lizards, and even bats.
Believe it or not there are people in South America who eat tarantulas. Many of us in developed countries are repulsed by the idea of eating insects or spiders, but it actually makes sense if you think about it. They are the most plentiful living things on earth and they are a good source of protein. I've heard tarantulas roasted in their own skins over a campfire are pretty tasty. See the World Record Index to see all the records featured on Extreme Science.