In Greek, spider means spinner and is able to spin webs. Most spiders have the ability to spin silk. This silk can be used to catch food, protect eggs and build shelters. There are however, wolf spiders and jumping spiders that don’t make webs. Spiders are a great hunter and they used to follow their prey. This means that they carefully observe them and then adapt to the prey’s habits, making it easier to catch them. Some of the largest spiders are prey on birds. Here’s a list of the largest spiders worldwide, where the majority of them are members of the tarantula family.
1.Goliath birdeater – (Mass – 175g (6.2 oz), Height: 12 inches
Goliath birdeater, which is 175g in weight (6.2 oz), is the largest spider in the world. It is a member of the tarantula family. Most commonly seen in northern South America. It is also known as the Goliath bird eating spider. Its name comes from Maria Sibylla Mérian’s early 18th century copper engraving. Although it was often seen eating hummingbirds, it rarely attacks birds. It can grow to a length of 30 cm, a body length of 13 cm and a weight up to 175 grams. It is most visible in the Amazon rainforest.
2.Giant Huntsman Spider – (Mass – 170g (6.2 oz), Length: 12 in)
The Sparassidae family includes the Giant Huntsman Spider, which is native to Laos. Because of its size, it is sometimes called the giant crab spider. Because they thrive in woody areas such as forests, mine shafts and woodpiles, the larger spiders are called wood spiders. It can be found in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. They are one of few spiders that doesn’t build webs, and primarily hunt for food. It is a fan of insects and other invertebrates.
3.Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater- (Mass – 100 g (6.2 oz), Length: 11 inches)
Based on length and mass, the Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater spider is the largest in the world. The Brazilian salmon pink birdeater is a partially pink-coloured spider with long, salmon-coloured hairs that stick out from their abdomens. It is the third-largest tarantula worldwide.
4.Grammostola anthracina- (Length: 10+ inches)
Grammostola anthracene, also known as Mygale anthracene, is one of the most massive spiders in the world. Its mass and length are based on the size. This was first described in 1842 by Carl Ludwig Koch (German entomologist and arachnologist). It is a black or reddish-brown spider that is most commonly found in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. It has a 30 year average lifespan in wild. This makes it a popular pet for spider enthusiasts.
5.Colombian Giant Tarantula – (Length 6-8 inches)
The Colombian Giant Tarantula, also known as Megaphobema robustum or Colombian giant redleg, is found in tropical rainforests throughout Colombia and Brazil. It can be seen especially when logs are being burned. These spiders eat crickets, small lizards, and other small insects. This spider is well-known for its defensive behavior. Female species live up to 20 years. Males, however, live longer.
6.Face-Sized Tarantula (Length: 8 inches)
The Face-Sized Tarantula can be found in Sri Lanka and India. They are usually found in a mottled brown or grey colour with camouflaged markings. These spiders are rare and difficult to find due to their natural camouflage. They can reach up to 12 inches in length and have 1.5 faces. Ranil Nanayakkara, a co-founder Sri Lanka’s Biodiversity Education and Research, discovered it for the first time in 2009.
7.King Baboon Spider (Length 7.9 inches).
Ferdinand Anton Franz Karsch first described King Baboon Spider in 1885. It is most commonly found in Tanzania and Kenya. The spider’s appearance is a rusty brown-orange colour. It thrives in the shrublands, grasslands and forests of east Africa. It often uses vegetation to protect its burrows. These spiders are slow-growing and can grow up to 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. It preys on cockroaches and beetles.
8. Camel Spider (Length 6 Inches)
Camel Spider, one of the most popular animals, starts with c. It is listed under arachnids like true spiders. However, it comes in a taxon called solifuges. It can travel up to 10 miles per hour, grows up to six inches in length, and nearly half of its length is taken up with the jaws. It is also known by the names sun spiders and wind scorpions, as well as “Kalahari Ferrit”, which prey on rodents, lizards and snakes. It is found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia. This spider is one of 10 types.
9.Brazilian Wandering Spider- (Length: 5.9 inches)
The Brazilian Wandering Spider is also known in greek as Phoneutria, which means “murderer” due to their deadly bite. Because they don’t build webs, they instead wander the jungle floor looking for prey. This spider species is nocturnal, and they seek out hiding places during the day. This spider can grow to five inches in length and is considered one of the most dangerous. This is used to raise their bodies on their hind legs as a defense display. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the Brazilian wandering spider as the most venomous.
10.White Lady Huntsman Spider – Length: 5.5 Inches
The Namibian deserts are where the White Lady Huntsman Spider is most common. It can reach up to 5.5 inches in height, making it one the largest spiders in the world. Because of its creamy color and dancing, or tapping movements, it is known as the dancing lady. It is creamy in color and has a white-colored body. The female species are heavier than the males and can lay 60 to 80 eggs. It is one of the most venomous spiders on the planet. A medical consultation is highly recommended within three hours.
