Biggest Spiders in the World: Most of us might not get a chance to meet these scary, hairy and biggest 8-legged beasts. However, it’s a fact that the first biggest spider was found in Venezuela in 1804 but now they are all over the globe now.
The top 10 biggest spiders in the world can be slightly different depending on which metric you’re using. And don’t be afraid of them. Most large spiders are relatively harmless to humans, preferring to stay tucked away in their natural habitats. So, here’s a breakdown for both:
Meet the Top 10 Biggest Spiders in the World
Rank | Biggest | Leg Span | Weight | Where Found |
1 | Giant Huntsman Spider | 12 inches | 167 grams | Laos, Southeast Asia |
2 | Goliath Birdeater | 11 inches | 175 grams | Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, Venezuela, and Brazil |
3 | Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater | 10 inches | Up to 100 grams | South America |
4 | Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula | 10 inches | Up to 100 grams | South America |
5 | Face-Sized Tarantula | 8 inches | Up to 75 grams | Sri Lanka and India |
6 | Chaco Golden-Knee Tarantula | 8 inches | Up to 100 grams | South America |
7 | King Baboon Spider | 8 inches | Up to 48 grams | Central and South America |
8 | Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula | 7 inches | Up to 35 grams | Colombia and Ecuador |
9 | Hercules Baboon Spider | 7.9 inches | Up to 85 grams | Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea |
10 | Camel Spider | 6 inches | Up to 14 grams | Southwest Asia and North Africa |
Biggest Spiders in the World: by Leg Span
1. Giant Huntsman Spider: Tagged as one of the biggest spiders in the world, this Asian wonder boasts a leg span of up to 12 inches, weighing 167 gms, earning it the crown for largest spider by sheer reach.
Habitat: Often found in caves and dark recesses in rocks
Location: Laos, Asia
Lifespan: 2 years
2. Goliath Birdeater: Despite its name, this South American creature usually feasts on frogs, rats and birds. Its leg span reaches about 28 cm (11 inches).
Habitat: Rainforest trees in in burrows
Location: Northern South America
Lifespan: Around 40 years
3. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater: Another tarantula species, this one from Brazil, stretches its legs to an impressive 28 cm (11 inches) as well making it popular as one of the biggest spiders in the world.
Habitat: Tropical rainforest
Location: Eastern Brazil
Lifespan: Up to 25 years in females
4. Grammostola anthracina: This Brazilian giant tawny red tarantula has a leg span of around 23 cm (9 inches).
Habitat: Dense rainforests
Location: Mostly in Brazilian forests
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
5. Chaco Golden-Knee Tarantula: This Argentinean beauty, popular in the exotic pet trade, reaches a leg span of up to 20.3 cm (8 inches), popular as one of the world’s biggest spiders.
Habitat: Mountain forests
Location: Mostly in Argentinean forests
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Biggest Spiders in the World: by Body Mass
6. Face-Sized Tarantula: Taking the heavyweight title as one of the largest spiders In the world, this chunky tarantula can weigh up to 175 grams (6 ounces), making it the beefiest spider on the planet.
Habitat: Rainforest trees in in burrows
Location: Northern South America
Lifespan: Around 40 years
7. Â King Baboon Spider: Despite its impressive leg span, this spider weighs around 100 grams (3.5 ounces), placing it second in mass.
Habitat: Often found in caves and dark recesses in rocks
Location: Laos, Asia
Lifespan: 2 years
8. Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula: Another hefty contender, this tarantula can reach a weight of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) as well winning the popularity as one of the biggest spiders in the world.
Habitat: Desert and woodlands
Location: Mostly in Africa and Australia
Lifespan: Up to 15 years
9. Hercules Baboon Spider: This African species weighs in at around 25 grams (2 ounces).
Habitat: Tropical rainforest
Location: Eastern Africa
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
10. Camel Spider: Rounding out the top 10 in terms of mass, this Middle Eastern desert fellow weighs around 14 grams (1.8 ounces).
Habitat: Desert, caves and rocks
Location: Middle East
Lifespan: Up to 25 years
Remember, these are just the top 10 biggest spiders in the world; there are many other incredible giant spiders out there! Some honourable mentions include the face-sized tarantula, the Brazilian wandering spider, and the camel spider.
So, the next time you see a picture of one of the world’s biggest spiders, appreciate its impressive size and unique place in the animal kingdom!
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