The 10 Biggest Spiders in the World

Key Takeaways: The World's Biggest Spiders
Most of the world's biggest spiders belong to the tarantula family.
The largest spiders can eat small birds, lizards, frogs, and fish.
Giant spiders tend not to be aggressive, but they will bite to defend themselves or their egg sacs.
Most large spiders are relatively nonvenomous. There are exceptions.
Goliath Birdeater: 12 Inches
Bird eating spider eating a bird.
Bird eating spider eating. John Mitchell / Getty Images
The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is the world's largest spider by mass, weighing in around 6.2 oz (175 g). It is a type of tarantula. The spider can bite and sometimes delivers a venom comparable to that of a wasp sting. Its barbed hairs present a greater threat, as they can lodge in the skin and eyes, producing itching and irritation for days.
Giant Huntsman Spider: 12 Inches
Huntsman spider (Heteropoda sp.) with beetle prey, Ulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia.
Huntsman spider (Heteropoda sp.) with beetle prey, Ulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia. up close with nature / Getty Images
While the Goliath birdeater is the most massive spider, the giant huntsman (Heteropoda maxima) tends to have longer legs and a bigger appearance. Huntsman spiders are recognizable by the twisted orientation of their legs, Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater: 11 Inches
Lasiodora sp. in Brazil.
Lasiodora sp. in Brazil. ©MPirajá Nature Photography / Getty Images
The third largest spider, the Brazilian salmon pink birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana) is only an inch smaller than the biggest spider. Males have longer legs than females, but females weigh more (over 100 grams). This large Where It Lives: In the wild, this species lives in the forests of Brazil. However, it's a popular captive pet, so you'll see them in pet stores and possibly your neighbor's house.
Grammostola anthracina: 10+ Inches
Grammostola rosea
Grammostola rosea. Davidexuvia / Getty Images
Be sure to visit South America if you're seeking enormous spiders. Grammastola anthracina is another large species. It's a popular pet tarantula Orange-kneed Tarantula (Megaphobema mesomelas)
Orange-kneed Tarantula (Megaphobema mesomelas). Dorit Bar-Zakay / Getty Images
The Colombian giant tarantula or Colombian giant redleg (Megaphobema robustum) eats mice, lizards, and large insects, so you could keep one for home pest control. However, Megaphobema is best known for its aggressive temperament. It's not the bite you need to worry about. Real (or imagined) Brazil and Colombia.
Face-Sized Tarantula: 8 Inches
Poecilotheria rajaei
Poecilotheria rajaei.
Ranil Nanayakkara / British Tarantula Society
Tarantulas don't only live in Central and South America. The face-sized tarantula (Poecilotheria rajaei) has adapted to deforestation in Sri Lanka, to make its
Hercules Baboon Spider: 8 Inches
King baboon spider (Pelinobius muticus)
King baboon spider (Pelinobius muticus).
he only known specimen of the Hercules baboon spider was captured in Nigeria about one hundred years ago and resides at the Natural History Museum in London. It got its name from its habit of eating baboons (not really). Actually, it's named for the resemblance between its legs and a baboon's fingers.
Where It Lives: The Hercules baboon spider may (or may not) be extinct, but you can get somewhat smaller baboon spiders as pets (often inaccurately identified as the Hercules baboon). However, this tarantula seems permanently angry, and is not a good choice for a beginner.
Camel Spider: 6 Inches
Wild black camel spider hunting at night in Morocco.
Wild black camel spider hunting at night in Morocco. Kristian Bell / Getty Iprinter, this spider can chase and catch you, with a top speed around 10 mph (16 km/h). Take comfort in the knowledge it is nonvenomous.
Where It Lives: Find this beauty in any warm desert or scrubland. You're safe (from this spider) in Australia. It has never been seen in Antarctica, if that helps.
Brazilian Wandering Spider: 5.9 Inches
Phoneutria nigriventer (Brazilian wandering spider)
Phoneutria nigriventer (Brazilian wandering spider).
It's not the biggest spider on the list, but it's the scariest. The Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria fera) or banana spider looks like a tarantula, but it isn't one. That's bad, because tarantulas, as a whole, aren't out to get you and aren't particularly venomous. The Brazilian wandering spider made the 2010 erection in men. You can do the math and puzzle that one out.
Where It Lives: While it's from South America, you might encounter it in the produce section of your local grocery store.
Cerbalus Aravaensis: 5.5 Inches
Cerbalus aravaensis at Samar Sands
Cerbalus aravaensis at Samar Sands.
Mickey Samuni-Blank
Dehydration and sunburn aren't the only threats you'll face if you find yourself in the hot sand dunes of the Arava Valley of Israel and Jordan. Be on the lookout f