11 Largest Spider Species (With Images)

You are unlikely to be an arachnophobe unless you don’t like tiny spiders living in your home. While they might look scary and venomous in North American homes, they are not nearly as large as certain arachnids.

We’ve compiled the 11 largest spider species worldwide, from South America to Sri Lanka. Camel spiders were not included in the list. They are unique creatures that fall somewhere between a scorpion or a spider, and not an arachnid.

1. The Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula (Theraphosa. blonde).

Average leg span:	Maximum 12 inches
Region of origin	Amazon jungle; Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Brazil
Dangerous?	It is not deadly, but it can be very painful.

We have found the Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula, which is the largest known spider. While there are many spiders that have misleading names, this one actually eats birds. These tarantulas are not common, but they can catch small chicks or hummingbirds. These spiders can weigh over 6 ounces and are about the size of a puppy. They are the largest arachnid due to their combined weight and leg length.

2. Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maximala)

Average leg span:	11-12 inches
Region of origin	Laos
Dangerous?	It is not deadly, but it can be very painful.

The Giant Huntsman spider is much lighter than its bird-eating cousin. If you measure the length of their legs, these spiders are considered to be the largest. These spiders aren’t tarantulas which is generally not a good thing. They belong to the Huntsman tribe. They don’t create webs but rather go out to attack their prey. Although their bodies are only 2 inches in length, they are quick and aggressive. They are very rare and can only be found in Laos, outside of caves.

3. Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater (Lasiodora parahybana)

Average leg span:	10-11 inches
Region of origin	Eastern Brazil
Dangerous?	No

Salmon Pink Birdeaters are one of the most beloved tarantulas to have as a pet. Despite being from Brazil, they are now found all over the globe. They are part of the tarantula family, and they are safe for humans. They are considered to be docile. They are attractive because of their dark coloring, which is offset by their pinkish hairs.

4. Brazilian Giant Tawny red Tarantula (Lasiodora parahybana).

Average leg span:	Only 10 inches
Region of origin	Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
Dangerous?	No

One of the largest spiders in the world, the red tarantula is still a popular pet. The red tarantula is docile and will bite only if handled too often. Their venom isn’t very dangerous, even though they can bite if handled too often. These gentle spiders can even be good mothers. Most spiders lay eggs, then abandon them shortly afterward. Tawny Reds are close to the eggs and help them hatch.

5. Grammostola anthracina (Grammastola anthracina)

Average leg span:	Only 10 inches
Region of origin	Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay
Dangerous?	No

You can go on tarantula hunts to find the largest spiders in the world by heading to northern South America. Grammastola, a furry and golden Grammastola is one of the many species that live there. They are popular pets and can grow to a little over 10 inches. They are very docile and will only become aggressive if they are hungry. They can live up to 20 years so be prepared for a commitment when you adopt them.

6. Peocilotheria Rajaei – Poecilotheria rajaei

Average leg span:	Only 8 inches
Region of origin	Sri Lanka
Dangerous?	It’s not much

Poecilotheria has been discovered only in 2009. It doesn’t have an established common name. For obvious reasons, some people call them the “Face-Sized Tarantula”. They have been found only in Sri Lanka so far. Their venom can kill small rodents and birds, but not humans. They are quite rare and were discovered only because of deforestation, which drove them to seek refuge in abandoned buildings.

7. Hercules Baboon Spider/King Baboon Spider (Pelinobius musticus).

Average leg span:	8 inches
Region of origin	Nigeria
Dangerous?	Yes, they are aggressive and venomous.

It is possible that the Hercules Baboon Spider has become extinct. One specimen was found more than 100 years ago. Their remains are now housed in London’s Natural History Museum. Although another Herculean spider has not been found, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t still out there. Their name derives from their resemblance to baboon fingers and their legs. The King Baboon Spider lives in East Africa and enjoys biting with its potent venom.

8. Colombian Giant Tarantula (Megaphobema robustum)

Average leg span:	6-8 Inches
Region of origin	Brazil and Colombia
Dangerous?	Aggressive, but not fatal

The Colombian Giant Tarantula is also known as the Colombian Giant Redleg. They will eat large insects, rodents, and lizards. They are attractive spiders that are still very popular pets. However, they are known to be aggressive and can be quite aggressive. Although they can be quite painful, the bite isn’t considered dangerous. They can also strike with spiked back legs.

9. Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula (Grammastola pulshcripes)

Average leg span:	7-8 inches
Region of origin	Argentina and Paraguay
Dangerous?	No

Chaco Golden Knee Tarantulas are one of the gentlest tarantulas. Although they are prone to biting if provoked, the venom isn’t enough to cause death. These attractive tarantulas are often kept as pets. These tarantulas are unusual because they do not live in the rainforests of South America. Instead, they prefer to live in the grasslands. They have distinctive yellow-yellow markings on their “knees” as well as pinkish hairs under their legs.

10. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria nigriventer)

Average leg span:	5.9 inches
Region of origin	Brazil
Dangerous?	Absolutely.

Although not the largest spider, the Brazilian Wandering Spider is likely to be the most dangerous. They are extremely venomous and aggressive. They don’t spin webs but wander aimlessly in search of prey. They can also hide in surprising places and have been known to sneak into fruit boxes shipped around the world, including Texas and Essex.

A Brazilian Wandering Spider bite can kill you in two hours. It can also cause painful penises for those who have had an abortion. There is an effective antidote available that can prevent most deaths from occurring if you see a doctor quickly.

11. Cerbalus Aravaensis (Cerbalus araveansis)

Average leg span:	5.5 inches
Region of origin	Arava Valley, Israel, and Jordan
Dangerous?	Perhaps

These spiders live in the Arava Valley’s sand dunes. It is difficult to believe that a spider would choose such an unattractive place to live. However, the spider builds its dens in the sand and comes out mostly at night. It is not known how dangerous their venom is.