{"id":25438,"date":"2023-03-18T19:00:29","date_gmt":"2023-03-18T18:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=138787"},"modified":"2023-03-18T19:37:15","modified_gmt":"2023-03-18T18:37:15","slug":"top-10-biggest-spiders-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/top-10-biggest-spiders-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10: Biggest spiders in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

The biggest spiders on planet Earth, [hopefully] not heading to a plughole near you… <\/p>

By James Cutmore\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 18 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Spiders: not everyone is scared-stiff by them. In fact, some people actually like to get up close and measure our eight-legged friends in order to find out what\u2019s the biggest spider in the world. In some cases, this can be extremely brave, with some pretty venomous<\/a> species with very sharp teeth (who don\u2019t take kindly to being poked and prodded) making it on to this list.<\/p>\n

We would like to point out, however, that most of these spiders aren\u2019t the kind you see on your bedroom wall at night, so please don\u2019t worry about having a massive bird-eating house guest come to stay.<\/p>\n

As your mother always says, they are more frightened of you than you are of them.<\/p>\n

10. Sand-dwelling huntsman spider \u2013\u00a0Cerbalus aravaensis<\/em><\/h2>\n
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A sand-dwelling huntsman spider (Cerbalus aravaensis<\/em>), photographed at the\u00a0Sands of Samar, Israel. Photo by Mickey Samuni-Blank<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This huntsman spider is found inhabiting sand dunes in the south of Israel and Jordan, and an adult can have a leg span of up to 14cm. It is a nocturnal species that lives in an underground den, hidden from predators.<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0Brazilian wandering spider \u2013 Phoneutria fera<\/em><\/h2>\n
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A wandering spider (Phoneutria fera<\/em>) photographed in the Peruvian jungle. These arachnids are thought to have one of the most potent venoms among spiders. Photo by Alamy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This highly venomous species spends a lot of its early years hidden in vegetation, but likes to crawl around the ground once it gets big enough. The wandering spider\u2019s legs can grow up to 15cm too, so it should be pretty easy to spot an adult in daylight.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0Camel spider \u2013\u00a0Solifugae<\/em><\/h2>\n
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A camel spider (Solifugae<\/em>), photographed at Panna, Madhya Pradesh, India. Photo by Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The camel spider isn\u2019t strictly a spider at all, as it does not spin a web. Nor is it technically a scorpion, as it does not possess a tail section on its body. But it is an arachnid with 8 legs, and those legs can span up to 15cm.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0Colombian giant redleg tarantula \u2013 Megaphobema robustum<\/em><\/h2>\n
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A Colombian giant redleg spider (Megaphobema robustum<\/em>), photographed in Colombia. Photo by Jorge Garcia\/VW PICS\/Universal Images Group\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

As the spiders get bigger, they tend to get furrier too. This aptly-named \u2018redleg\u2019 spider is a handsome creature, with stunning markings. They feed on large insects and small mice, and live in the tropical rainforests of South America. Even though they are quite large (with a leg span of up to 16cm), they are shy and defensive in nature.<\/p>\n

6. Face-sized tarantula \u2013 Poecilotheria rajaei<\/em><\/h2>\n
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The recently discovered face-sized tarantula (Poecilotheria rajaei<\/em>), a species native to Sri Lanka and India. Photo by Ranil Nanayakkara\/British Tarantula Society<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

As this tarantula\u2019s name suggests, its 20cm leg span is big enough to cover a whole human face. Quite why you would let this get that close to you is anyone\u2019s guess. It was first classified in 2012<\/a>, and carries enough venom to kill small rodents and lizards.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0Chaco golden-knee tarantula \u2013\u00a0Grammostola pulchripes<\/em><\/h2>\n
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A chaco golden knee tarantula (Grammostola pulchripes<\/em>) rests on a log. Photo by Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The beautiful golden knee tarantula lives up to its name, with beautiful markings on its limbs. The spider\u2019s leg span can reach 17 to 20cm, and it is equipped with some large fangs. However, this is another species that is popular as a pet, due to its calm nature.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Brazilian giant tawny red tarantula \u2013 Grammostola anthracina<\/em><\/h2>\n
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A Brazilian giant tawny red tarantula (Grammostola anthracina<\/em>) walking across the ground. Photo by Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Inhabiting large areas of South America, the giant tawny red tarantula is thought to be one of the longest-living tarantulas, with some reported to live up to 20 years. With a leg span of up to 23cm, it is also one of the larger species.<\/p>\n

More images from BBC Science Focus<\/em>:<\/strong><\/p>\n