Top 7 Biggest Spider Species In The World

A spider is a small creature from the arthropod family which has 8 legs. This crawling and creepy critter ranks 7th as an animal with the most species in the world. Despite most of the spiders that we usually find being small, there are some with relatively large sizes up to your palm. 

While most of us fear these animals crawling under our beds and around our houses, it will be almost impossible to get rid of them. Here we would like to share with you the top 7 biggest spider species in the world that will definitely spook you.

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7. Hercules Baboon

As the name states, Hercules Baboon is as big as the person in the movie on top of it is very rare to find. Worry not as this species was never found since the 1900s and you can definitely sleep without the fuss in your head.

There is however only 1 in existence and that will be at the Natural History Museum in London. The spider has a 7.9-inch leg span making it one of the biggest spiders in the world. This spider simply loves to eat other small insects as its meal.

6. Poecilotheria Rajaei

The Poecilotheria Rajaei was found in Sri Lanka in 2009. This spider has an open leg of around 18 cm for males and 22 cm for females. It also has a light grey color with black stripes all over its belly.

It usually lives underneath rocks, wood, and even in your homes. It feasts on smaller insects and mice. Interestingly enough, its poison has medicinal uses.

5. Colombian Giant Black Tarantula

The Colombian Giant Black Tarantula or its scientific name Xenesthis monstrosa can grow with an open leg of 23 cm. It usually comes in black color but has brown furs and red spots around its body.

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This species is an aggressive predator however they do not pose a threat to humans. Similar to other tarantulas, this species will have no fur around its belly and neck once it ages.

It eats anything from mice, small lizards, and other small insects. It is also among the favorite tarantula to be owned by collectors since they remain calm when touched by humans.

4. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater

Even though its name is "birdeater", the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater does not make any bird its prey. Instead, it loved to munch on insects, lizards, frogs, and mice as its common food.

This spider can commonly be found in the rainforest and has an open leg of 25.4 cm in length. It has a brown chocolate body with a slight pink fur which it uses to aim at its prey to paralyze them. If it were to get into their eyes, it may cause permanent blindness.

3. Grammostola Anthracina

It is generally found in the South American continent like Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. The Grammostola Anthracina is the third largest spider in the world with an open leg measurement of 26 cm.

You can actually get your hands on this tarantula as it is sometimes sold in exotic pet shops for collectors out there. It is known to be easily tamed as a pet and can be quite gentle at certain times.

If you were to own one, be sure to feed it always and it loved to stay in dry and damp surroundings.

2. Huntsman

The Huntsman spider can grow up to 30 cm in length with its leg reaching 15 cm. It originates from Asia but can sometimes be found in subtropical regions like Florida, Texas, and California.

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This spider exists in America as it latches on bananas that were to be transported which gave its nickname the banana spider. The Huntsman can be aggressive at times and it usually lives in people's houses and cars.

The female can lay up to 200 eggs at one time while taking care of them for 3 weeks.

1. Goliath Birdeater

The biggest Tarantula and spider species in the world falls to the Goliath Birdeater. This spider is big enough to make the birds its prey. Similar to the Huntsman, the Goliath Birdeater can grow up to 30 cm in size and has a 2.54 cm fang.

On top of that, it is bigger than the Huntsman if were to compare their body density. The Goliath Birdeater has small furs all over its body which it can shoot at anyone if it is threatened.

This tarantula has a strong and powerful bite which can leave excruciating pain once bitten.

Source:

• Conservation Institute

Also read: Top 5 Largest Snake Species In The World