Spiders come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny specks to giants that can make your skin crawl.
But which spider takes the crown as the biggest of them all? The Goliath birdeater holds the title of largest spider by weight, tipping the scales at up to 175 grams.
This massive tarantula can grow to have a leg span of up to 30 centimeters, about the size of a dinner plate.
Despite its name, it doesn’t often eat birds.
The Goliath birdeater prefers a diet of insects, frogs, and small rodents.
Spiders belong to a group called arachnids, which are part of the larger arthropod family.
While the Goliath birdeater is the heaviest, other spiders can have longer leg spans.
The giant huntsman spider can stretch its legs up to 12 inches across, making it look even bigger than its Goliath cousin.
Anatomy and Size
Giant spiders have some truly impressive physical features.
Their size sets them apart from ordinary arachnids in striking ways.
Leg Span and Body Length
The giant huntsman spider holds the record for the largest leg span.
Its legs can stretch up to 12 inches across! That’s about the size of a dinner plate.
Most giant spiders have leg spans between 8 to 11 inches.
Their bodies are much smaller, usually 1.5 to 3.5 inches long.
Goliath birdeaters are the heavyweights of the spider world.
They can weigh over 6 ounces.
That’s as heavy as a baseball!
Distinctive Features of Giants
Big spiders have some cool traits that make them stand out:
- Thick, hairy legs that help them sense vibrations
- Large fangs for catching prey
- Strong bodies built for hunting
Many giant spiders are tarantulas.
They have special hairs on their bodies that they can flick at predators.
These hairs can irritate skin and eyes.
Giant spiders often have unique color patterns.
Some have golden knees or striped legs.
These markings help them blend in with their surroundings.
Habitats Around the World
The biggest spiders live in diverse places across the globe.
These eight-legged giants thrive in hot, humid areas like rainforests and deserts.
South America
South America is home to some of the largest spiders on Earth.
The Amazon rainforest hosts many big spider species.
The Goliath birdeater spider loves the damp forest floor.
It hides in burrows during the day and hunts at night.
In Brazil, the Brazilian wandering spider roams the jungle.
This spider doesn’t make webs.
Instead, it wanders around looking for food.
The Chaco golden-knee tarantula lives in the grasslands of Paraguay and Argentina.
It digs deep burrows to escape the heat.
Africa and Middle East
Africa’s rainforests and deserts house some big spider species too.
The King baboon spider calls East Africa home.
It digs deep burrows in the savanna grasslands.
In the Middle East, large spiders adapt to hot, dry climates.
The Arava Valley in Israel is home to big desert spiders.
These spiders hide under rocks or in sand dunes during the day.
At night, they come out to hunt.
Asia
Asia’s varied landscapes offer homes to many large spider species.
Sri Lanka’s rainforests are home to the Giant Wood Spider.
This big orb-weaver makes huge webs between trees.
In India, the Giant Crab Spider lives in old buildings and rock crevices.
It doesn’t spin webs but hunts actively.
The Huntsman spider is found across Asia.
It likes warm, woody areas and often sneaks into houses.
Record Holders of the Spider World
The spider world boasts some truly impressive giants.
These arachnids stand out for their massive size, striking appearance, and unique behaviors.
Goliath Bird-Eater
The Goliath bird-eater holds the title for the largest spider by mass.
This impressive arachnid can reach a leg span of up to 11 inches, enough to cover a dinner plate!
Native to the rainforests of South America, these spiders don’t actually eat birds very often.
They prefer insects and small animals.
Goliath bird-eaters have a unique defense mechanism.
They can make a hissing sound by rubbing their legs together.
This noise can be heard up to 15 feet away!
Despite their size, these spiders are quite fragile.
A fall from even a short height can be fatal for them.
Giant Huntsman Spider
The Giant Huntsman spider holds the record for the largest leg span of any spider.
These speedy arachnids can stretch their legs up to 12 inches across!
Found in Laos, these spiders prefer to hunt rather than build webs.
They’re known for their incredible speed and agility.
Giant Huntsman spiders have a flattened body shape.
This allows them to squeeze into tight spaces with ease.
While they may look scary, these spiders actually help control insect populations.
They’re not typically aggressive towards humans.
Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater
The Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater is another contender for the title of world’s largest spider.
These colorful arachnids can grow to have a leg span of up to 11 inches.
Their name comes from the pinkish color of their body.
This makes them quite striking to look at!
These spiders are popular in the pet trade due to their large size and beautiful coloration.
They’re generally docile and easy to care for.
In the wild, they live in burrows in the forest floor.
They come out at night to hunt for food like insects, frogs, and small rodents.
Diet and Predation
The Goliath birdeater has a varied diet and faces some natural threats.
This giant spider eats more than just birds and must watch out for certain predators.
Feeding Habits
The Goliath birdeater doesn’t actually eat birds very often.
Its name is a bit misleading! These big spiders mostly munch on insects, worms, and other small creatures.
They love to eat crickets, which are full of protein.
Sometimes they catch frogs or small rodents too.
When food is scarce, they might even eat other spiders!
Goliath birdeaters hunt at night.
They don’t spin webs to catch prey.
Instead, they chase their food and grab it with their strong legs.
Natural Predators
Even though it’s huge, the Goliath birdeater isn’t safe from all animals.
Some creatures are brave enough to attack this giant spider!
Spider wasps are a big threat.
These wasps sting and paralyze the spider.
Then they lay eggs on it.
Yikes!
Large birds might try to eat Goliath birdeaters too.
The spiders use their leg hairs as a defense.
They can flick these hairs at enemies, which really hurts!
Humans also pose a danger.
Some people hunt these spiders for food or to keep as pets.
Survival Mechanisms
The largest spiders have evolved amazing ways to protect themselves and catch prey.
These big arachnids use special body parts and behaviors to stay safe and get food.
Venom and Fangs
Goliath birdeaters have very strong fangs and potent venom.
Their fangs can be up to 1 inch long! The venom isn’t deadly to humans, but it really hurts.
It’s like a bad wasp sting.
These spiders use their fangs to bite and inject venom into prey.
This helps them catch food and stay safe from threats.
The venom quickly paralyzes small animals.
Some big spiders can make hissing sounds by rubbing body parts together.
This is called stridulation.
It scares away animals that might try to eat them.
Urticating Hairs and Silk
Large spiders have tiny, barbed hairs called urticating hairs.
They can flick these hairs at enemies using their back legs.
The hairs irritate skin and eyes.
For humans, these hairs cause itching and swelling.
For small animals, they can be really dangerous.
It’s a clever defense that doesn’t use up venom.
Spider silk is super strong and sticky.
Big spiders use it to make webs for catching food.
Some can even throw silk to tangle up threats.
The silk also lets them climb walls and make egg sacs.
Behavior and Lifestyle
The biggest spiders show unique behaviors and lifestyles.
They have interesting social structures and mating habits that set them apart from smaller spider species.
Territorial vs. Social
Most large spiders are territorial.
They like to have their own space and don’t play well with others.
These big spiders often live alone in burrows or webs they make themselves.
Some examples of territorial behavior include:
- Marking their area with silk
- Fighting off other spiders that come too close
- Defending their homes fiercely
But not all giant spiders are loners.
A few species can be a bit more social.
They might:
- Live in groups
- Share web spaces
- Work together to catch food
Mating Rituals
When it’s time to mate, even the biggest spiders can be gentle.
Male spiders often have to be careful not to be seen as food by the larger females.
Mating rituals for large spiders can be quite complex:
- Males may drum or tap to get a female’s attention
- Some perform special dances to show they’re not a threat
- Males might offer the female a gift of food
After mating, female spiders usually lay lots of eggs.
They often guard their egg sacs closely.
Some even carry their babies on their backs after they hatch.
Economic and Ecological Impact
Spiders play a big role in nature and farming.
They help control pests and react to changes in their homes.
Let’s look at how spiders affect our world.
Spiders as Pest Controllers
Spiders are great at eating bugs that harm crops.
They consume as much animal food as all humans on Earth.
This helps farmers save money on pest control.
In greenhouses, spiders that live in nearby plants can catch pests.
This natural pest control is free and eco-friendly.
Some spiders even survive certain bug sprays.
This means they keep working when other pest-eaters can’t.
Farmers who use spiders for pest control often need fewer chemicals.
This saves money and is better for the environment.
Effects of Deforestation
When forests are cut down, spider homes are lost.
This can hurt spider numbers and the bugs they eat.
Spider communities in native plants near farms help control pests.
Cutting these plants can make pest problems worse.
Fewer spiders mean more crop-eating bugs.
This can lead to lower crop yields and higher costs for farmers.
Deforestation also changes the ecosystem.
Spiders that lose their homes might move to new areas.
This can affect other animals and plants in unexpected ways.
Cultural Significance
Spiders play important roles in myths and stories around the world.
People have mixed feelings about these eight-legged creatures, ranging from fear to respect.
Spiders in Mythology
Arachne, a skilled weaver in Greek myth, challenges the goddess Athena.
She loses and gets turned into a spider.
This story explains where spiders come from.
It also warns about being too prideful.
Many cultures see spiders as clever and creative.
Native American tales often show spiders as wise teachers.
In some African stories, spiders are tricksters who outsmart bigger animals.
Some myths give spiders magical powers.
They can weave dreams or predict the future.
The giant spider geoglyph in Peru’s Nazca Desert shows how important these creatures were to ancient people.
Human Attitudes Towards Spiders
Many people fear spiders.
This fear is called arachnophobia.
It’s one of the most common phobias.
Movies and stories often make spiders seem scarier than they really are.
But not everyone is afraid.
Some cultures respect spiders.
Farmers like spiders because they eat pests.
Many locals in tropical areas live peacefully with large spiders in their homes.
Some people keep spiders as pets.
The Goliath bird-eating spider is a popular choice.
It’s one of the biggest spiders in the world.
Scientists study spiders to learn about nature.
Spider silk is super strong.
Researchers hope to copy it to make new materials.
Keeping Giants as Pets
Giant spiders can make exciting pets for the right person.
They need special care and a proper setup to thrive in captivity.
Choosing the Right Spider
When picking a giant pet spider, consider a Honduran Curly Hair tarantula.
These spiders are hardy and slow-moving, making them good for beginners.
They only need a small space to live.
Another option is a mini Huntsman spider.
They’re smaller than their giant cousins but still make fun pets.
Avoid the giant Huntsman, as it’s too big for most homes.
Some people like Giant Wolf Spiders as pets.
They’re active and fun to watch hunt.
Always buy from a trusted breeder.
This helps ensure your spider is healthy and wasn’t taken from the wild.
Care and Maintenance
Giant pet spiders need the right home to be happy.
Use a 5-10 gallon tank for most species.
Add a few inches of substrate for burrowing.
Include hiding spots like cork bark or small caves.
This helps your spider feel safe.
Keep the tank at the right temperature and humidity for your spider type.
Most need temps between 70-80°F.
Feed your spider crickets or other insects once or twice a week.
Provide fresh water in a shallow dish.
Clean the tank regularly, but be gentle.
Spiders can be shy and don’t like too much disturbance.
Handle your spider with care.
Some may be skittish or have a painful bite.
Always wash your hands after touching your pet or its home.
Conservation Status
The Goliath birdeater spider faces some challenges, but efforts are underway to protect it.
Let’s look at its current status and what’s being done to help this giant arachnid.
Threatened Species
The Goliath birdeater is not currently listed as endangered.
It’s classified as “Least Concern” by conservation groups.
This means the spider’s population is stable for now.
But that doesn’t mean it’s safe forever.
The spider’s home in the South American rainforest is shrinking.
People are cutting down trees and changing the land.
This could become a big problem for the Goliath birdeater in the future.
Conservation efforts
Even though the Goliath birdeater isn’t endangered yet, people are working to keep it safe.
National Geographic and other groups are studying these spiders to learn more about them.
Scientists are looking at ways to protect the rainforest where the spiders live.
They’re also teaching people about how important these spiders are to the ecosystem.
Some zoos are helping too.
They’re breeding Goliath birdeaters in captivity.
This helps people learn about the spiders and could help if wild populations ever need a boost.