Spiders come in many sizes, from tiny jumping spiders to giant arachnids that can make your skin crawl.
But which one takes the crown as the biggest?
The title of largest spider in the world belongs to the Goliath birdeater tarantula.
This massive arachnid can weigh up to 6.2 ounces (175 grams) and have a leg span of nearly 12 inches (31 cm).
Native to the rainforests of South America, this tarantula got its name from old tales of it eating small birds, though this rarely happens in the wild.
While the Goliath birdeater is the heaviest spider, the giant huntsman spider of Laos holds the record for the largest leg span.
These impressive creatures show just how big spiders can get in nature.
They may look scary, but these gentle giants play important roles in their ecosystems.
Classification and Species
Spiders come in many shapes and sizes.
The biggest spiders belong to two main groups.
Let’s look at how they’re classified and what makes them different.
Tarantula Family
Tarantulas are part of the Theraphosidae family.
These hairy giants include some of the world’s largest spiders.
The Goliath birdeater is a famous example.
It can weigh up to 6.2 ounces!
Tarantulas have thick, sturdy bodies and legs.
They often live on the ground or in burrows.
Many people keep them as pets because of their size and cool looks.
Some other big tarantulas are:
- Brazilian salmon pink birdeater
- Chaco golden knee
- Colombian giant tarantula
Differences Between Mygalomorphs and Araneomorphs
Spiders fall into two main groups: mygalomorphs and araneomorphs.
Tarantulas are mygalomorphs.
The giant huntsman spider is an araneomorph.
Mygalomorphs have:
- Fangs that point down
- Two pairs of book lungs
- Longer lifespans
Araneomorphs have:
- Fangs that face each other
- One pair of book lungs
- Shorter lifespans
The giant huntsman has the biggest leg span of any spider.
Its legs can stretch up to 12 inches across! But it has a smaller body than the Goliath birdeater.
Physical Characteristics
The Goliath birdeater stands out as a truly massive arachnid.
Its impressive size and unique features make it a fascinating creature to study and observe.
Size Comparison
The Goliath birdeater is the biggest spider in the world by weight and body size.
It can weigh up to 6.2 ounces (175 grams).
That’s about as heavy as a baseball!
Its body can grow up to 5.1 inches (13 cm) long.
With legs spread out, it can reach 11 inches (28 cm) across.
That’s nearly as wide as a dinner plate!
While it’s the heaviest spider, it’s not the one with the longest legs.
The giant huntsman spider beats it in leg span.
Distinctive Features
The Goliath birdeater has some cool tricks up its sleeve.
It has special hairs called urticating hairs.
These hairs can irritate predators’ skin and eyes.
When threatened, it makes a hissing sound.
This noise comes from rubbing its legs together.
Scientists call this behavior stridulation.
Its fangs are huge – up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long! But don’t worry, its bite isn’t too dangerous to humans.
It’s more like a wasp sting.
The spider’s body is covered in brown or tan hair.
This helps it blend in with its forest home.
Habitat and Distribution
The biggest spiders in the world live in diverse habitats across South America.
These giant arachnids thrive in warm, humid environments with plenty of prey.
Rainforest Dwellers
Goliath birdeaters, the heaviest spiders on Earth, call the rainforests of northern South America home.
They prefer the damp forest floor, where they dig burrows or hide under logs.
These massive spiders enjoy the constant humidity and warmth of tropical climates.
The rainforest provides them with a rich variety of insects and small animals to hunt.
Goliath birdeaters often live near streams or in areas prone to flooding.
This helps keep their burrows moist and comfortable.
Geographical Range
The largest spiders are found across several countries in northern South America.
Their range includes:
- Brazil
- Venezuela
- Guyana
- Suriname
- French Guiana
These countries share similar tropical climates that suit giant spiders.
The Amazon rainforest, spanning multiple countries, is a key habitat for these arachnids.
Some large spider species also live in Argentina and Paraguay.
These areas have different climates but still support impressive arachnids like the Chaco golden-knee tarantula.
Diet and Hunting
The Goliath birdeater has a varied diet and impressive hunting skills.
It uses clever tactics to catch its prey and interacts with other predators in interesting ways.
Feeding Habits
The Goliath birdeater is not a picky eater.
Despite its name, it doesn’t actually eat birds very often.
These spiders mostly munch on insects, frogs, and small reptiles.
Crickets are a favorite snack for these giant spiders.
They also enjoy earthworms and other creepy crawlies found on the forest floor.
When hunting, the Goliath birdeater uses its large size to its advantage.
It can overpower prey much bigger than itself.
These spiders don’t spin webs to catch food.
Instead, they actively hunt on the ground.
They have sharp fangs and strong venom to quickly subdue their prey.
Once caught, the spider injects digestive juices into its meal.
This turns the insides of the prey into a liquid, which the spider then slurps up.
Predator Interactions
Even though it’s huge, the Goliath birdeater isn’t at the top of the food chain.
It has to watch out for other animals that might want to eat it.
Some of its main predators include:
- Large birds
- Snakes
- Small mammals
To protect itself, the spider has a few tricks up its sleeve.
It can make a hissing sound by rubbing its legs together.
This noise can scare off potential threats.
If that doesn’t work, it can flick tiny, irritating hairs from its body at the attacker.
These hairs can cause itching and discomfort, giving the spider a chance to escape.
When all else fails, the Goliath birdeater can use its large fangs for defense.
But it prefers to avoid fights if possible, often choosing to run away instead.
Behavior and Lifestyle
Giant spiders have unique ways of living and protecting themselves.
They use clever tricks to stay safe and sometimes even work together.
Defense Mechanisms
The Goliath birdeater, one of the world’s biggest spiders, has some cool ways to defend itself.
It can make a hissing sound called stridulation by rubbing its legs together.
This noise scares away predators.
Another neat trick is using urticating hairs.
These tiny, sharp hairs on their body can irritate an attacker’s skin or eyes.
The spider can kick these hairs off its body when it feels threatened.
Many large spiders also hide in silk-lined burrows.
These cozy homes keep them safe from danger and help them catch food.
Social Behaviors
While most big spiders like to be alone, some show interesting social habits.
They often meet up to mate.
Males might do special dances to impress females.
Some large spiders share burrows with others of their kind.
This helps them stay safe and warm.
They don’t usually fight each other in these shared spaces.
Big spiders can live for a long time.
Some tarantulas can live up to 30 years! This gives them lots of time to learn about their surroundings and get really good at surviving.
Reproduction and Lifespan
The biggest spiders in the world have unique mating habits and long lifespans.
Their growth from tiny spiderlings to massive adults is a slow process that takes years.
Mating Rituals
Male Goliath birdeaters have a tricky job when it comes to mating.
They need to be super careful not to end up as a snack for the much larger females.
To stay safe, male spiders do a special dance.
They tap their legs and make vibrations to let the female know they’re not food.
If the female is interested, she’ll allow the male to get close.
The male then uses special appendages called pedipalps to transfer sperm to the female.
This process is quick, lasting just a few seconds.
After mating, the male spider scurries away fast.
Female spiders can be aggressive, so it’s best for the male to make a quick exit!
Growth and Development
Baby Goliath birdeaters start life in an egg sac.
A female can lay up to 200 eggs at once.
She guards her egg sac fiercely for 6-8 weeks until the spiderlings hatch.
When they first emerge, the spiderlings are tiny and pale.
They quickly darken and start to explore their surroundings.
These little spiders molt frequently as they grow.
It takes about 3-4 years for a Goliath birdeater to reach full size.
During this time, they shed their exoskeleton many times.
Each molt allows them to grow bigger.
These giant spiders have impressive lifespans.
Females can live up to 20-25 years in captivity.
Males typically have shorter lives, living about 3-6 years.
Conservation Status
The biggest spiders in the world face threats to their survival.
Efforts are underway to protect these impressive arachnids and their habitats.
Environmental Threats
The Goliath birdeater, one of the largest spiders, lives in the rainforests of northern South America.
These areas are at risk from deforestation and habitat loss.
As trees are cut down, the spiders lose their homes.
Climate change also poses a danger.
Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can affect the rainforest ecosystem.
This may make it harder for big spiders to find food and shelter.
Pollution is another issue.
Pesticides and other chemicals can harm spiders and their prey.
This disrupts the food chain and makes survival more difficult.
Conservation Efforts
Scientists are working to learn more about giant spiders and their needs.
By studying these creatures, they can better protect them.
Some countries have made laws to safeguard spider habitats.
These rules limit logging and development in key areas.
This helps preserve the rainforests where big spiders live.
Zoos and wildlife centers play a role too.
They care for large spiders and teach people about them.
This helps build support for spider conservation.
Researchers are also looking at ways to breed giant spiders in captivity.
This could help boost their numbers if wild populations decline.
Venom and Safety
Spiders have different levels of venom potency.
Some are very dangerous, while others are not harmful to humans.
Let’s look at venom strength and how spiders and people interact.
Venom Potency
Spider venom can be strong or weak.
The Brazilian wandering spider is known as one of the most venomous spiders.
Its bite can cause serious harm.
The venom is a mix of chemicals that attack the nervous system.
Some spiders have venom that’s not dangerous to people.
These spiders might still bite, but it won’t hurt much.
It’s like a bee sting.
Neurotoxic venom affects the nerves.
It can cause pain, muscle problems, or breathing issues.
But not all spider venom works this way.
Human Interactions
People and spiders often cross paths.
Most of the time, it’s no big deal.
Spiders usually try to avoid humans.
Some spiders, like the black widow, can be a problem.
Their bites happen more often in some areas.
In the U.S., doctors treat about 2,500 black widow bites each year.
Many big spiders look scary but are safe.
The Goliath birdeater is huge but its venom isn’t very strong.
It might hurt, but it won’t cause serious harm.
To stay safe, it’s best to leave spiders alone.
If you see one you’re not sure about, don’t touch it.
Call an expert if you need help removing a spider from your home.
Cultural Significance
Spiders have played important roles in human cultures around the world.
They appear in ancient myths and shape how people view these eight-legged creatures today.
Spiders in Mythology
The story of Arachne from Greek mythology explains how spiders came to be.
Arachne was a talented weaver who challenged the goddess Athena.
After losing the contest, Athena turned her into a spider.
This myth teaches about being humble.
It shows what can happen when humans try to be better than gods.
Many cultures see spiders as clever.
Some Native American stories say a spider brought fire to humans.
In West Africa, Anansi the spider is known for his smarts and tricks.
Human Perception of Spiders
People often feel scared of spiders.
The Goliath birdeater, one of the world’s largest spiders, can seem very scary.
It can grow up to 12 inches across!
But spiders help us too.
They eat bugs that harm crops and spread disease.
Some cultures see spiders as good luck.
Finding a spider in your home might mean money is coming.
Spider silk is super strong.
Scientists study it to make new materials.
Some people even use spider silk to make clothes!
Human fascination with spiders shows in pop culture too.
Spider-Man is a famous superhero loved by many.
Spiders often appear in Halloween decorations, showing how they can both scare and excite us.
Remarkable Spider Records
Spiders come in many sizes and shapes, with some species standing out for their impressive dimensions.
From the heaviest to the longest leg spans, these arachnids continue to amaze researchers and spider enthusiasts alike.
Largest Specimens
The Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) holds the title for the world’s largest spider by mass.
This impressive arachnid can weigh up to 6.2 ounces and has a leg span that can reach 11 inches.
It’s big enough to cover a dinner plate!
Another contender for the largest spider title is the giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima).
While not as heavy as the Goliath birdeater, it boasts an incredible leg span of up to 12 inches.
These spiders are known for their speed and agility despite their size.
The Brazilian salmon pink birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana) is another massive tarantula.
It can grow to have a leg span of 10 inches and is known for its beautiful pink coloration.
Unusual Spiders
Some spiders stand out not just for their size, but for their unique characteristics.
The Hercules baboon spider is known for its incredible strength.
It can lift objects many times its own weight.
The face-sized tarantula (Poecilotheria rajaei) gets its name from its large size, with a leg span that can indeed reach the size of a human face.
It was discovered in Sri Lanka and is known for its intricate patterns.
Camel spiders, despite their name, aren’t true spiders.
They’re a type of arachnid that can grow quite large and are known for their powerful jaws.
They’re found in desert regions and can run at speeds up to 10 mph.