The thick footed tarantula has powerful long venomous fangs that can grow up to 1 centimetre (0.39 in) long. Its body is 6 centimetres (2.4 in) with a leg span of 16 centimetres (6.3 in) so smaller than the size of a man's hand. Identification is relatively simple as this very large spider has thicker front legs than back legs. It is recognized as the largest spider in Australia. Due to the hissing sound the spider makes when approached, it has acquired the nickname "barking spider", sometimes "hissing spider". This species is quite shy and normally does not wander far from its burrow. Females live up to thirty years, males up to eight years.

Despite the sometimes used common names bird-eating spider and bird spider, this nocturnal ground dwelling species is not likely to ever encounter or feed on birds. These spiders predominantly feed upon invertabrates including insects and other spiders. Small vertebrates such as geckos, skinks and frogs are also part of the diet.