The oldest spider ever recorded was a female trapdoor spider (Gaius villosus), nicknamed "Number 16," who lived to be 43 years old in Western Australia, dying in 2016 after being monitored since 1974 by researchers studying her burrow. This far surpassed the previous record of a 28-year-old tarantula, highlighting the longevity of sedentary, burrowing spiders with low metabolisms.
Arthrolycosa wolterbeeki comes from the Piesberg quarry near Osnabrück in Lower Saxony. This spider is between 310 and 315 million years old and was named after its discoverer, Tim Wolterbeek, who kindly donated the fossil to the Berlin Museum.
While there's no single "Top 1," the Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus) from Australia is often cited as the world's most dangerous due to its potent, primate-specific venom, aggressive nature, and fast-acting effects, capable of killing a human quickly, though fatalities are rare now due to antivenom. The Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria species) also ranks high for potent venom and aggression, but the Sydney funnel-web's impact on humans makes it a top contender.
The greatest longevity documented is found in Theraphosidae in captivity, with certain species having a life expectancy of more than 30 years (data on Theraphosa and Aphonopelma, primary sources)."
Australian Trapdoor Spider, World's Oldest, Dies at 43, With Lesson for Us | National Geographic. Number 16, a recently deceased trapdoor spider in Australia, had been studied since 1974. Her long life changes what scientists thought they knew about the species.
While most spiders live for one year, a few may have more than one generation each year. Some spiders can live 3 to 4 years, and certain tarantulas are known to live for 25 years or longer. Some spiders live underwater all of their lives. They surface to collect a bubble of air, which acts as an underwater lung.
Wolf spiders will inject venom if continually provoked. Symptoms of their venomous bite include swelling, mild pain and itching. Lifespan: Males live less than a year and females live 2-3 years.
Some spiders have life spans of less than a year, while others may live for up to twenty years. However, spiders face many dangers that reduce their chances of reaching a ripe old age. Spiders and their eggs and young are food for many animals.
The Sydney Funnel-Web Spider (Atrax robustus) is widely considered Australia's most dangerous spider due to its highly toxic, fast-acting venom and large fangs, with male venom being particularly potent and capable of causing severe neurological symptoms, though effective antivenom developed in 1981 means no deaths have been recorded since, but immediate medical help is crucial. Other significant threats include the Redback Spider and Mouse Spider, notes Pest-Ex, A1 Pest Control Canberra and Skills Training College.
1974 – 2016), also known as #16, was a wild female trapdoor spider (Gaius villosus, family Idiopidae) that lived in North Bungulla Reserve near Tammin, Western Australia. She lived an estimated 43 years and became the longest-lived spider on record, beating a 28-year-old tarantula who previously held the title.
Here are some common house spider species that are harmless:
You should never squish a spider because it can release dozens of baby spiders if it's a mother carrying eggs, attract pests with released pheromones, cause allergic reactions from its internal fluids, leave stains and odors, and you'd be killing a beneficial predator that controls other insect populations. Most spiders are harmless to humans, and squishing them can backfire, worsening pest problems or causing messes.
These pests play an important role in our ecosystem as predators to other insects. Determining the importance of spiders depends on who you ask. A gardener or farmer is likely to recognize how helpful they are at preventing pests from destroying crops.
Cyanobacteria: Fossil Record. The cyanobacteria have an extensive fossil record. The oldest known fossils, in fact, are cyanobacteria from Archaean rocks of western Australia, dated 3.5 billion years old. This may be somewhat surprising, since the oldest rocks are only a little older: 3.8 billion years old!
No, huntsman spiders do not chase people to attack; they are fast, but when they run towards you, they're usually trying to escape to a hiding spot, as they are shy, not aggressive, and their venom isn't dangerous to humans, though their speed can be startling. They hunt insects like cockroaches and are beneficial, but their quick, erratic movements often cause alarm.
Funnel-web spider bites can be life threatening, especially in children. They must be treated quickly with antivenin by an experienced provider. Even with appropriate and quick treatment, symptoms may last for several days to weeks.
In summary, on current evidence the most dangerous spiders in the world are funnel-web spiders (Atrax and Hadronyche species), Redback Spiders and their relations (Latrodectus species), Banana Spiders (Phoneutria species) and Recluse Spiders (Loxosceles species).
There is evidence consistent with the idea of pain in crustaceans, insects and, to a lesser extent, spiders. There is little evidence of pain in millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs but there have been few investigations of these groups.
Spiders hate strong, pungent smells, especially essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and lavender, as well as scents from citrus (lemon, orange), cinnamon, eucalyptus, and cedar, which disrupt their senses. You can deter them with DIY sprays using these oils mixed with water, or use plants like basil and marigolds, or even vinegar, though vinegar's effect is temporary.
Yes, spiders do sleep (or at least enter a sleep-like state that's very similar to our form of slumber). Much like us, spiders need a deep rest state to keep their brains functioning and their bodies healthy.
Wolf spiders are not known to be aggressive but will bite if provoked or threatened. Their bite is not considered dangerous to people but it can be painful (like a bee sting).
The oldest spider to have ever lived was a female trapdoor spider in captivity. She lived to be 43 years old before a spider wasp killed her. Most female trapdoor spiders die by the time they're 25 years old.
When it's time for the spider eggs to hatch, the female wolf spider breaks open the sac to release her spiderlings. The tiny spider babies stick themselves to the mother's body and legs for protection and food. After a few weeks, the spiderlings disperse, leave the mother's body, and start fending themselves.