Biggest Spider in the World : 10+ Large Species

Do you know there are more than 43,000 different spider species present on this planet?

Out of these species, some are small, some are large, and some are even venomous and deadly. 

It is very common to spot spiders in our home, but they are tiny and don’t even compare to some of the biggest species in the world. 

When we think of “big spiders,” the “Aragog” from the Harry Potter movie immediately comes to mind.

While it is a fictional character, and real spiders aren’t that big in size, there are still some enormous species that will blow your mind.

Are you curious about the biggest spider in the world? If yes, keep reading. In this article, we are going to discuss the top 10+ biggest spider species on the earth.
So, let’s begin!

Which Is The Biggest Spider In The World?

The biggest spider in the world is none other than the Goliath Birdeater. The scientific name of this spider is Theraphosa Blondi. In the world of spider species, it is the heavyweight champion.

The leg span of this spider is up to a foot (11 inches), and its weight is around that of a small puppy (6 ounces). It is big enough to cover your dinner plate. Now, you can imagine the size of this giant creature. 

This spider resides in the Amazon rainforest and isn’t typically seen around human habitats. While it is the biggest spider in the world, it doesn’t pose any threat to humans. Instead, it feeds on small insects and vertebrates. 

Which Is The Smallest Spider In The World?

According to Guinness World Records, the smallest spiders come from the Symphytognathidae family. Patu Digua from the Patu genus is the smallest spider in the world.

This spider is so small that it is almost invisible to the naked eye. Their size can be as small as 0.014 millimeters. Unlike the biggest spider in the world, this species resides in the rainforests of Columbia. 

These often go unnoticed by people due to their minuscule size. However, this doesn’t stop them from being great hunters. These spiders mostly prey on smaller creatures like springtails.

Biggest Spider in the World: Top 10+ Biggest Species 

Now that you know about the smallest and the biggest spider in the world, let’s learn about the top 10+ biggest spider species.

Top 10+ Biggest Spiders in the World
Rank	Spider	Leg Span (Inches)
13	Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata)	5 In
12	Brazilian Black Tarantula (Grammostola pulchra)	5.3 In
11	Israeli Desert Huntsman Spider (Cerbalus Aravaensis)	5.5 In
10	Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria spp.)	5.9 In
9	Camel Spider (Solifugae)	6 In
8	Chaco Golden Knee (Grammostola pulchripes)	7 In
7	Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula (Megaphobema robustum)	7 In
6	Hercules Baboon Spider (Pelinobius muticus)	7.9 In
5	Face-Size Tarantula (Theraphosa stirmi)	8 In
4	Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula (Acanthoscurria geniculata)	10 In
3	Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)	10 In
2	Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)	11 In
1	Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maxima)	12 In

13. Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula

Scientific Name	Acanthoscurria geniculata
Size	Up to 3.5 inches (body length)
Weight	28 to 56g
Leg Span	Approx. 5 inches
Origin	Brazil

On number 13 in the list, we have the Brazilian Whiteknee Tarantula. This spider is pretty big, with legs that stretch about 5 inches wide. These spiders live in the warm parts of Brazil. Some people even call them the “armed spider” or “banana spider.” 

But what makes them famous is their bite – it’s one of the nastiest in the spider world. They’re right up there with the most venomous spiders you can find.

These spiders are found throughout South America, from Argentina to Costa Rica, but they are primarily found in Brazil. Their brown bodies and black markings on their bellies make them easy to identify. Plus, they’re furry, which makes them look even bigger.

These spiders like to hide under logs and in the bushes, and they eat all sorts of stuff – bugs, small frogs, lizards, and even mice. So, they’re not just big; they’re pretty fierce too!

12. Brazilian Black Tarantula

Scientific Name	Grammostola pulchra
Size	Up to 3 inches (body length)
Weight	Around 56g
Leg Span	Approx. 5.3 inches
Origin	Brazil

Next up, we have the Brazilian Black Tarantula, number 11 on our list. These spiders are quite big, with legs spanning about 5.3 inches. You can find them mostly in Brazil. They stand out because they’re jet black – shiny and dark. Their unique appearance makes them pretty interesting to spider lovers and scientists.

Even though they’re not the biggest, they’re still famous in the spider world. They have venom, but don’t worry; it’s usually not deadly to people. They like to live under logs and in woody places, and they chow down on insects and smaller spiders.

11. Israeli Desert Huntsman Spider

Scientific Name	Cerbalus Aravaensis
Size	Around 1 inch (body length)
Weight	Varied
Leg Span	Approx. 5.5 inches
Origin	Arava Valley (Israel & Jordan)

If you want to see a large spider, you have to travel to the sand dunes of the Arava Valley of Israel and Jordan! This spider, which has a leg span of 5.5 inches, is thought to be the largest in the region. 

This spider’s large legs allow it to move quickly and not miss an object. These days, the development of agricultural land and salt mines has altered these species’ habitats. To conceal from their predators, these nocturnal arthropods primarily construct their houses in the sand.

10. Brazilian Wandering Spider

Scientific Name	Phoneutria spp.
Size	Up to 1.8 inches (body length)
Weight	Around 6g
Leg Span	Approx. 5.9 inches
Origin	Central & South America

This unique-looking spider comes tenth on the list of the biggest spiders in the world. These spiders, also known as armed spiders or banana spiders, have a 5.9-inch leg span.

Did the Brazilian wandering spider come in the Guinness Book of World Records?

Yes, these arthropods hold the record of being one of the most venomous in the world!

At least eight subspecies of this spider majorly live in Brazil, and a few live in the area from Costa Rica to Argentina. These spiders are brown in color and have black spots on their belly. These spiders also have pretty big hairs, making them even larger. These creatures live under logs and woods and eat insects, small amphibians, reptiles, and mice.

9. Camel Spider

Scientific Name	Solifugae
Size	3 inches (body length)
Weight	Around 56g
Leg Span	Approx. 6 inches
Origin	Various regions in Asia, Africa, & the Americas

This is a light tan-colored spider with a 6-inch leg span, which is considered one of the biggest spiders on earth. Not only that, but it is also considered one of the fastest spiders in the world. It can move at the speed of 10 miles per hour! Pretty amazing, right?

These spiders sometimes also emit a unique buzzing sound, which seems a bit scary, but they don’t have any venom, so you don’t have to get scared as they usually don’t bite.

So, where do they live?

You can find these spiders in various areas in Iran and Iraq. They eat insects, rodents, lizards, and small birds. Another fascinating fact about these creatures is that they have jaws that are almost 33% of their total body length. Another thing is that, unlike other spiders, these ones have only two eyes and have a lifespan of about a year and only have two eyes.

8. Chaco Golden Knee

Scientific Name	Grammostola pulchripes
Size	2.3 to 3 inches (body length)
Weight	More than 56g
Leg Span	Approx. 7 inches
Origin	Argentina & Paraguay

The Chaco Golden Knee Spider is another enormous spider on our earth. It is commonly found in Argentina or the Paraguay region. This spider boasts a leg span of 7 to 8 inches, making it one of the biggest spiders in the world. Want to know what’s special about this spider? This tarantula has a unique hunting strategy. It burrows deep into the ground and then hunts its prey while in disguise. 

Due to salt mining and agricultural land conversion, the habitat of this creature is mostly disturbed. To counter this, the Chaco Golden Knee adapts by constructing subterranean hideaways in the sandy terrain. It is a nocturnal predator that thrives in this environment.

7. Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula

Scientific Name	Megaphobema robustum
Size	2 to 3 inches (body length)
Weight	More than 65g
Leg Span	Approx. 7 inches
Origin	Colombia & Brazil

You may have heard about the Colombian giant spiders. Yes, the next one on the list is the giant redleg tarantula! These spiders have a 7-inch leg span and live in the dark regions of Colombia and a few parts of Brazil. The most eye-catching thing about these spiders is the bright reddish-orange hairs present on their legs.

This species of male spider lives about 4 years, and the female spider could easily live up to 20 years. Isn’t it shocking to know? These spiders are huge but still don’t come in the list of the top three largest spiders in the world.

Unlike the other nocturnal arthropods, this one is pretty nervous. In threatening situations, they just start spinning and bobbing up and down. Sometimes, they also use the hidden thorny spikes present on their back legs. And if they feel in danger and not safe in the situation, they can also use their fangs to bite their victim. So beware of this! 

6. Hercules Baboon Spider

Scientific Name	Pelinobius muticus
Size	Up to 3.9 inches (body length)
Weight	100g
Leg Span	Approx. 7.9 inches
Origin	Africa (Nigeria, etc.)

There is a bizarre story about these spiders. About 100 years ago, biologists actually found the Hercules baboon spider in Nigeria. It is located in London’s Natural History Museum. You can even visit this place and take a look at it.

You might be wondering why these spiders are called Hercules Baboon. This is because they have a rusty-brown body that looks like a baboon. Not only this but according to the experts, this might be the heaviest spider ever captured that has been recorded in history.

Due to their long 7.9-inch legs, these spiders are considered scarier in the animal kingdom. If you, fortunately, come across one, don’t get closer to it, as these tarantulas are venomous and majorly found in Africa. These spiders like to live in grasslands and dry scrubs to protect themselves from harsh weather conditions. They like to prey on insects, bugs, and other small spiders.

5. Face Size Tarantula

Scientific Name	Theraphosa stirmi
Size	1.6 inches (body length)
Weight	85 to 100g
Leg Span	Approx. 8 inches
Origin	Sri Lanka & India

The fifth biggest spider in the world is the Face-size tarantula. They’re known as face-size tarantulas because they have an 8-inch leg span, which is almost about the size of a human face.

Majorly found in Sri Lanka and India, these spiders like to live in old buildings and decaying wood. They prey on birds, lizards, rodents, snakes, and other animals that are longer than this spider.

How to recognize this spider?

That’s actually pretty simple! Just look at their legs. These tarantulas have daffodil-yellow banding on their legs and a pink band around its body. These two features are so prominent that you can easily identify a face-size tarantula.

This spider was discovered in 2012, and according to scientists, there could be more unknown arthropod species living in the northern area of Sri Lanka. Even though these spiders have long leg spans, they’re still not the largest spiders in the world.

4. Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula

Scientific Name	Acanthoscurria geniculata
Size	2 inches (body length)
Weight	110g
Leg Span	Approx. 10 inches
Origin	Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina

Imagine seeing a spider with a 10-inch leg span in front of your eyes. Isn’t that scary as hell?

The fourth world’s biggest spider on this planet is the Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula!

These huge spiders live in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. Compared to other spiders in this family, the abdomen is lined with hairy darts. These spiders use this thing to scare away predators. So, if you ever encounter these huge spiders, we suggest not touching or bothering them, as they can harm you!

3. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater

Scientific Name	Lasiodora parahybana
Size	7 inches (body length)
Weight	More than 100g
Leg Span	Approx. 10 inches
Origin	Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay

With a 10-inch leg span, this spider comes in the list of the giant spiders in the world. Brazilian salmon pink bird eater spiders are usually found in various areas of Brazil, some parts of Argentina, and Paraguay.

You can easily identify this spider due to its dark brown body with bright salmon blotches. These markings make this spider look more intimidating and scary. These spiders uniquely kill their prey. Initially, they inject their prey with venom using their fangs. They then exude fluid to only partially digest their meal. Scientists have shown that the primary cause of these spiders’ ongoing size reduction is human growth.

2. Goliath Birdeater

Scientific Name	Theraphosa blondi
Size	5.1 inches (body length)
Weight	Up to 175g
Leg Span	Approx. 11 inches
Origin	South America (Suriname, Guyana, Brazil, etc.)

First discovered in 1804, these huge spiders with 11-inch leg spans are known as the Goliath birdeater. These arthropods look brown-to-light-brown and are usually found in Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, Venezuela, and Brazil. Sometimes, these nocturnal arthropods live in the Amazon rainforest.

These spiders just weigh around 5 to 6 ounces. They prey mostly on birds like hummingbirds; that’s why they’re known as Goliath bird eaters. Apart from tiny birds, these spiders also like to eat insects and small terrestrial vertebrates. They always hide in their nests right after hunting and eating prey.

1. Giant Huntsman Spider

Scientific Name	Heteropoda maxima
Size	1.8 inches (body length)
Weight	Around 75g
Leg Span	Approx. 12 inches
Origin	Laos

What is the largest spider in the world?

Are you ready to read the answer?

So, the biggest spider in the world is the Giant huntsman spider!

In terms of size and weight, the Goliath birdeater is the biggest spider in the world. But if you consider leg span, then the title goes to Giant Huntsman Spider. 

With a leg span of 12 inches, this spider is the biggest and largest spider. Unlike other spiders, these tarantulas never build a spiderweb to catch their prey; instead, they directly catch them down! Pretty scary to even think about, right?

The huntsman spiders are present in different areas and regions around the globe. However, the huntsman arthropod is only found in the deep caves of Laos. These species of arthropods were found in 2001. They have crablike legs with twisted joints, and that’s why they walk like crabs!

They like to live under decaying wood, but when they sense their prey nearby, they can jump up to 3 feet in a second! The female huntsman spider can lay 200 eggs in a sack-like cocoon. The mother spider stays with her spiderlings for a couple of weeks.

FAQs

Conclusion

So this is all about 10+ biggest spiders in the world. Now, if someone asks you about spiders, you might have a lot to say. While most of the spiders are big and scary, they are still tiny compared to human size. The best thing is that these spiders mostly live in the wild, and you won’t have to encounter them at your home.

We hope this in-depth blog on the world’s biggest spiders has helped get valuable information about Tarantulas. Write in the comment section about the spider you found the scariest.

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