Remember those giant spiders in Harry Potter? Those things which Ron was so deathly scared of? What if we told you that there are real-life giant spiders too?
Maybe not as monstrously big as Aragog, but still gargantuan enough to send shivers down your spine.
Here are 12 of the biggest spider species that exist in the real world:
1. Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)
Size: Leg span up to 11 inches, body weight up to 6 ounces
Dangerous?: Not lethal, but painful bite
The Goliath birdeater is native to the rainforests of northern South America. It is a formidable predator that injects powerful venom to immobilize its prey, which includes insects, worms, small mammals, and amphibians. The spider then liquefies its prey’s insides before consuming the nutrients. (ref)
2. Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maxima)
Size: Leg span up to 12 inches
Dangerous?: Painful bite, causes localized swelling
Found in caves in Laos, the giant huntsman is a skilled ambush predator that feeds on insects and other invertebrates. Unlike many spiders, it doesn’t build webs but relies on its incredible speed and agility to catch its prey.
3. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)
Size: Leg span up to 11 inches, body weight over 3.5 ounces
Dangerous?: Not medically significant, but painful bite
This tarantula is known for its striking pinkish-red hairs and is native to the Atlantic forest region of Brazil. It spends its days hiding in burrows or under logs, emerging at night to hunt for large insects, amphibians, and small reptiles.
4. Colombian Giant Redleg Tarantula (Megaphobema robustum)
Size: Leg span up to 8 inches
Dangerous?: Painful bite, causes localized swelling
This stunning spider, native to the tropical forests of Colombia, is known for its vibrant red markings on its legs. It is a skilled hunter that preys on a variety of insects, small lizards, and even mammals like mice.
5. Face-Sized Tarantula (Poecilotheria rajaei)
Size: Leg span up to 8 inches
Dangerous?: Not lethal, but extremely unpleasant bite
Native to the old-growth forests of Sri Lanka, the face-sized tarantula is a formidable predator that feeds on birds, lizards, rodents, and snakes. Its venom is potent enough to take down small mammals and reptiles.
6. King Baboon Spider (Pelinobius muticus)
Size: Leg span up to 8 inches
Dangerous?: Painful irritation from hairs
This large tarantula, native to East Africa, is known for its distinctive hissing noise and ability to kick off irritating hairs from its abdomen as a defense mechanism. It preys on insects, other spiders, and small vertebrates like lizards and mice.
7. Brazilian Giant Tawny Red Tarantula (Grammostola anthracina)
Size: Leg span up to 9 inches
Dangerous?: Causes painful skin and eye irritation
This species, which is native to the grasslands of South America, is known for its impressive longevity, with females living up to 20 years in captivity. It is an opportunistic predator that feeds on a variety of insects and small vertebrates.
8. Hercules Baboon Spider (Hysterocrates hercules)
Size: Leg span up to 8 inches
Dangerous?: Unknown, but potentially potent venom
This poorly understood species, discovered in Nigeria over a century ago, is one of the largest spiders in Africa. Little is known about its natural history, but it is believed to prey on insects, spiders, and small vertebrates, potentially using its venom to subdue larger prey.
9. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria fera)
Size: Leg span up to 6 inches
Dangerous?: Highly potent venom, potentially deadly bite
Found throughout South America, the Brazilian wandering spider is an aggressive hunter that actively seeks out its prey, including insects, other spiders, and small vertebrates like mice. It is considered one of the most venomous spiders in the world.
10. Camel Spider (Solifugae)
Size: Body length up to 6 inches
Dangerous?: Not venomous, but painful bite
The camel spider is not a true spider but a different arachnid order. (ref) Native to desert regions around the world, it is a fierce predator that feeds on insects, lizards, and small rodents, using its large jaws to deliver a painful bite.
11. Giant Jumping Spider (Hyllus giganteus)
Size: Body length up to 1 inch
Dangerous?: Not Dangerous?
Despite its small size, the giant jumping spider, native to Australia and Sumatra, is an impressive predator. It feeds mainly on insects, using its excellent vision and lightning-fast reflexes to track and capture its prey. When threatened, it can jump up to 8 times its body length.
12. Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula (Grammostola pulchripes)
Size: Leg span up to 8 inches
Dangerous?: Potent venom, but gentle nature
The Chaco golden knee tarantula, native to the grasslands of Argentina and Paraguay, is a large spider known for its docile nature, making it a popular pet. In the wild, it feeds primarily on insects, using its large fangs to deliver a potent venom that quickly immobilizes its prey.
Appreciating the Wonder of Massive Spiders
These 12 species represent some of the biggest and most fascinating spiders in the world.
While their impressive size and hunting abilities may be intimidating to some, it’s important to remember that these creatures play vital roles in their respective ecosystems.
So the next time you encounter a giant spider, take a moment to appreciate its unique beauty and adaptations – from a safe distance, of course!
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.