Top 10 Biggest Spiders in The World
Infographic showing the Top 10 Biggest Spiders in the World by Wildlife Nomads
Ever wondered what it would be like to come face-to-face with a spider as big as your hand, or even larger? Or maybe you already have an encounter (usually terrifying) like this in Australia, or somewhere in South America. The world of spiders is vast and varied, but it’s the giants among them that truly capture our imagination (and sometimes our fears!). From tropical jungles to arid deserts, the biggest spiders in the world are nature’s masterpieces, with leg spans that can rival a ruler and bodies built for survival. These arachnids aren’t just about their intimidating size—they play vital roles in their ecosystems, controlling pests and showcasing the wonders of evolution. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 largest spiders on Earth, diving into their habitats, behaviors, and the incredible traits that make them some of the most awe-inspiring creatures in the animal kingdom. Ready to meet these eight-legged giants? Let’s get started!
The biggest spiders in the world
The largest spiders in the world are found in various regions, including South America, Africa, and Asia. These spiders live in diverse habitats, with some species unique to specific locales, while related species inhabit warm and temperate regions globally. These spiders belong to different families, such as the Theraphosidae (tarantulas) and the Sparassidae (huntsman spiders). Some of the most notable species include the Goliath Birdeater, the Giant Huntsman Spider, and the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater. These spiders have evolved to thrive in their respective environments, developing unique adaptations that enable them to capture prey, defend themselves, and survive in their ecosystems. For instance, the Giant Huntsman Spider, with its crab-like appearance and incredible speed, is a master of ambush predation, while the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater uses its size and strength to overpower larger prey.
1. Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)
Location: Northern South America
Leg span: Up to 12 inches (30 cm)
Weight: Over 6 ounces (170 g)
The undisputed heavyweight champion of the spider world, the Goliath birdeater, also known as the goliath bird eating spider, is both the heaviest and one of the biggest spiders in the world. Despite the name, they rarely eat birds. Instead, they feast on insects, frogs, and small rodents. While their fangs can pierce human skin, their venom is mild. When threatened, Goliath birdeaters rub their legs together to release urticating hairs that can irritate skin and eyes. The pain from their bite is often compared to that of a wasp sting, causing potential pain and irritation.
Goliath Birdeater | Getty Images
2. Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maxima)
Location: Laos
Leg span: Up to 12 inches (30 cm)
Known for being a massive spider with the longest leg span of any spider, the Giant Huntsman Spider looks more like a crab than a spider. It was only discovered in 2001, proving there’s still much to learn about our eight-legged friends.
Unlike tarantulas, which are slow-moving ambush predators, huntsman spiders are fast and agile. They don’t spin webs to catch prey but instead rely on their speed to hunt small insects and other small animals. Their long legs and crab-like gait allow them to dart quickly along cave walls.
Despite their alarming appearance, they’re not dangerous to humans, and their venom is mild. However, due to their speed and size, they definitely startle anyone lucky, or unlucky, enough to see them up close.
Giant Huntsman Spider | Getty Images
3. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)
Location: Brazil
Leg span: 10–11 inches (25–28 cm)
This spider is a stunner. With its velvety dark body and salmon-pink hairs, the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater is the third largest spider in the world. Native to the humid forests of Brazil, it’s also one of the more popular species in the exotic pet trade.
They’re ground-dwellers and spend most of their time in burrows. Like other tarantulas, they rely on ambush rather than web-building. Their diet consists of insects, small amphibians, and even birds on rare occasions.
Despite their intimidating size, they’re generally docile but will kick urticating hairs from their abdomen as a defense, which can irritate skin and eyes. Their bite is painful but not medically significant.
Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater | Photo by Uwe Bergwitz
4. Colombian Giant Redleg (Megaphobema robustum)
Leg span: About 8–10 inches (20–25 cm)
Habitat: Rainforests of Colombia and Brazil
The Colombian giant tarantula, also known as the Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula, stands out with its reddish-orange legs and robust body. Native to the rainforests of South America, this species is known for its impressive size and striking appearance. It’s less aggressive than some of its cousins and tends to be reclusive, hiding in dense foliage or burrows.
Unlike many spiders, the Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula has a quirky behavior—it uses its spiky back legs in a defensive spinning kick when threatened. Scientists believe this tactic deters predators like coatis and birds. Additionally, it uses silk to reinforce its burrows, showcasing its unique adaptations to its environment.
Its environment is rich with biodiversity, but habitat loss is threatening its populations in some areas. Though not endangered, conservationists monitor it as part of broader Amazonian habitat protection.
Colombian Giant Redleg | via Wikimedia Commons
5. Hercules Baboon Spider (Hysterocrates hercules)
Leg span: Around 8 inches (20 cm)
Habitat: Nigeria and Cameroon
One of the rarest and most elusive tarantulas, the Hercules Baboon Spider hasn’t been widely observed since it was first discovered. This spider is wrapped in mystery, as only a few specimens have been recorded.
It’s part of the baboon spider family, named for their thick, hairy legs that resemble a baboon’s fingers. They are burrowers, living underground in arid regions.
Due to their rarity and the destruction of their natural habitat, very little is known about their behavior, lifespan, or ecological role. Their bite is believed to be painful but not dangerous.
Hercules Baboon Spider (Hysterocrates hercules) | Photo by Joel Sartore
6. Camel Spider (Solifugae – not a true spider)
Leg span: Up to 6 inches (15 cm)
Habitat: Deserts of the Middle East, North Africa, and southwestern US
Technically not a true spider (they’re part of the arachnid order Solifugae), Camel Spiders have made headlines and gone viral thanks to urban legends about their speed and size.
While they can run up to 10 mph and look terrifying, they’re not venomous. Their powerful jaws, however, can inflict a nasty bite. They’re opportunistic hunters, preying on insects, scorpions, and small lizards.
Their exaggerated reputation comes from wartime tales, especially from U.S. soldiers during the Gulf War, but most of it is myth. Still, they’re impressive creatures and worthy of a spot on this list.
Camel Spider | Getty Images
7. King Baboon Spider (Pelinobius muticus)
Leg span: Up to 7.9 inches (20 cm)
Habitat: East African savannas (Kenya, Tanzania)
Baboon spiders, including the King Baboon Spider, are a group of large, burrowing spiders known for their strength, aggression, and unique features that resemble those of baboons. Thick, powerful, and copper-colored, the King Baboon Spider is native to East Africa and is one of the few spiders with the muscle to take down relatively large prey like mice and frogs.
Their bite is incredibly painful due to strong venom and large fangs, but it’s not lethal to humans. These spiders are slow-growing and can live for over 25 years in captivity.
Collectors prize them for their size and color, but they’re best left to experienced handlers. In the wild, they play an important role in keeping insect populations balanced.
King Baboon Spider | Getty Images
8. Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola pulchripes)
Leg span: Up to 8 inches (20 cm)
Habitat: Grasslands of Paraguay and Argentina
The Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula is a gentle giant of the tarantula world. It’s popular among spider hobbyists for its striking appearance—dark brown with bright golden stripes on its knees—and its docile nature, making it a calm and manageable pet.
This spider thrives in open areas where it can dig shallow burrows. Like most tarantulas, it relies on vibrations to detect prey, ambushing insects and other small animals with lightning-fast reflexes.
It’s a long-lived species, with females living up to 25 years. And yes—despite their size, they’re more likely to run away than bite when disturbed.
Chaco Golden Knee | Photo by John Audrey
9. Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula (Grammostola iheringi)
Leg span: About 8.5 inches (22 cm)
Habitat: Southern Brazil
This large tarantula stands out with its deep red carapace and long black legs. Native to subtropical forests and grasslands, it’s known for its bold nature—it doesn’t hesitate to show off its size when threatened.
As a voracious predator, the Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula actively hunts and ambushes its prey, showcasing its formidable hunting behavior. It’s not commonly found in the pet trade but is admired by enthusiasts for its beauty and confident personality. Like its Chaco cousin, it prefers digging to spinning webs.
Despite its intimidating display, it rarely bites and is relatively safe to handle with care. However, its urticating hairs can be more irritating than others.
Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula | Photo by John Audrey
10. Cerbalus aravaensis ( a huntsman spider from Israel and Jordan)
Leg span: Up to 5.5 inches (14 cm)
Habitat: Arava Valley, Israel and Jordan
A rare find in the sand dunes of the Middle East, the Cerbalus aravaensis, also known as the sand dwelling huntsman spider, is the largest spider in the Middle East. It was only discovered in 2009 and has captivated researchers since.
It’s a nocturnal hunter that creates silk-lined burrows sealed with a hinged trapdoor made of sand and silk. It uses these doors as an ambush spot for catching prey like insects and other arthropods. Its specialized habitat makes it vulnerable to environmental changes, especially as its desert habitat is encroached upon by agriculture and construction.
Cerbalus aravaensis via Animalia
Bonus: Brazilian Wandering Spiders (Phoneutria Genus)
Brazilian Wandering Spiders, belonging to the Phoneutria genus, are among the most formidable arachnids in South America. Known for their impressive leg span, which can reach up to 5.9 inches, these spiders are not only large but also highly venomous. Their venomous bite is potent enough to cause severe pain and medical complications in humans, making them one of the most dangerous spiders in the world.
Unlike many spiders that rely on webs to capture prey, Brazilian Wandering Spiders are active hunters. They roam the forest floor at night, preying on insects, lizards, mice, and even small birds. This wandering behavior is what gives them their name. Despite their fearsome reputation, these spiders play a crucial role in controlling insect populations in their native habitats, helping to maintain ecological balance.
Brazilian Wandering Spider | Photo by Maria Ogrzewalska
Importance of understanding these massive arachnids
Despite their appearance, studying the largest spiders in the world is essential for several reasons. Visiting a natural history museum, such as London's Natural History Museum, can provide an educational perspective on these creatures, showcasing rare specimens like the Hercules baboon spider. Firstly, it helps us understand the complex relationships between these spiders and their environments, shedding light on the delicate balance of ecosystems. Secondly, it allows us to appreciate the remarkable diversity of arachnids, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect these fascinating creatures. Finally, it provides valuable insights into the biology and behavior of these spiders, which can inform strategies for managing venomous species and developing new treatments for spider bites. By understanding these massive arachnids, we can better appreciate their role in nature and the need to preserve their habitats.
Characteristics of Large Spiders
Large spiders are characterized by their impressive body size and leg span, which can reach up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) in some species. These spiders possess barbed hairs that they can flick at potential threats, causing irritation and discomfort as a defensive mechanism. These spiders have evolved to occupy specific ecological niches, developing unique adaptations that enable them to thrive in their environments. Their size is not just for show; it plays a crucial role in their survival and predation strategies.
Body size and leg span
The body size and leg span of large spiders are critical factors in their ability to capture prey, defend themselves, and survive in their ecosystems. For example, the face size tarantula, also known as Poecilotheria rajaei, is notable for its substantial leg span of up to 8 inches and is native to Sri Lanka. The Goliath Birdeater, the world’s largest spider by mass, has a body length of up to 11 inches (28 cm) and a leg span of up to 28 cm (11 inches). This massive size allows it to capture and eat small birds, lizards, and other large prey. Similarly, the Giant Huntsman Spider, the world’s largest spider by leg span, has a leg span of up to 30 cm (12 inches), enabling it to move quickly and capture prey with ease. These remarkable spiders continue to fascinate and inspire us, offering a glimpse into the incredible diversity of life on our planet. By studying these massive arachnids, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the importance of conservation efforts to protect these incredible creatures.
How Do Scientists Measure Spider Size?
Spider size can be measured in two main ways:
Leg span: This measures the distance from the tip of one leg to the tip of the opposite leg, with some species’ leg span reaching impressive lengths.
Body length: This refers to the size of the cephalothorax and abdomen combined.
Factors such as predation pressures influence spider size, with environments having fewer predators allowing spiders to grow larger, while higher predation pressures cause juvenile spiders to grow rapidly to outgrow potential threats.
The spiders on this list are ranked based on leg span, as that’s what gives them their wow factor.
FAQs About Big Spiders
Are Big Spiders Dangerous?
Let’s start with a common question: does size equal danger? Surprisingly, not always. Most of the biggest spider species in the world rely more on their size for defense and intimidation rather than potent venom. However, the spider's venom, particularly from species like the Brazilian Wandering Spider, contains a potent neurotoxin that can be fatal to humans. Venomous spiders, such as the Brazilian Wandering Spider, are known for their lethal neurotoxin and ability to cause severe harm to humans. Their bites may hurt, sure—but fatalities from spider bites are extremely rare, especially with access to medical care.
What is the biggest spider ever found?
The Goliath birdeater holds the record for the world's largest spider by mass, while the Giant Huntsman Spider, recognized for its impressive leg span, also claims the title of the world's largest spider in its own right.
Does a spider have a brain?
Yes! While small, spiders are a fascinating species with brains capable of impressive tasks—like navigation, hunting strategy, and even rudimentary problem-solving. The tarantula family, for instance, showcases a remarkable diversity of spider species, each with unique characteristics, habitats, and hunting behaviors.
Recap of the Top 10 Biggest Spiders
The top 10 biggest spiders in the world are a testament to the incredible diversity and adaptability of arachnids. These spiders, found in various parts of the world including South America, Africa, and Asia, are known for their impressive leg spans, venomous bites, and unique characteristics.
Goliath Birdeater: The heaviest spider, found in Northern South America, with a leg span of up to 12 inches.
Giant Huntsman Spider: Known for the longest leg span of any spider, up to 12 inches, found in Laos.
Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater: A stunning spider with a leg span of 10–11 inches, native to Brazil.
Colombian Giant Redleg: Recognizable by its reddish-orange legs, with a leg span of about 8–10 inches, found in Colombia and Brazil.
Hercules Baboon Spider: A rare and elusive spider with a leg span of around 8 inches, found in Nigeria and Cameroon.
Camel Spider: Not a true spider, but an impressive arachnid with a leg span of up to 6 inches, found in deserts of the Middle East, North Africa, and southwestern US.
King Baboon Spider: A powerful burrowing spider with a leg span of up to 7.9 inches, native to East African savannas.
Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula: A gentle giant with a leg span of up to 8 inches, found in the grasslands of Paraguay and Argentina.
Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula: Known for its deep red carapace and long black legs, with a leg span of about 8.5 inches, found in Southern Brazil.
Cerbalus aravaensis: The largest spider in the Middle East, with a leg span of up to 5.5 inches, found in the Arava Valley of Israel and Jordan.
Respecting and Appreciating Giant Spiders
Giant spiders, despite their intimidating size and appearance, are vital components of their ecosystems. These formidable predators feed on insects, small mammals, and other invertebrates, playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. By controlling insect populations, giant spiders help prevent the spread of diseases and protect crops from pest damage.
Moreover, giant spiders serve as an important food source for other animals, such as birds and small mammals. Their presence in the food chain highlights their ecological significance. It is essential to respect and appreciate these fascinating creatures, rather than fearing or persecuting them. Understanding their role in nature can help foster a greater appreciation for their contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem health.
