Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) The largest spider in the world and the first on our list is the impressively named Goliath birdeater. Hailing from the rainforests of northern South America this is the largest spider by body mass (up to 175g) and by body length (13cm).
The largest spider in the world is Theraphosa blondi, commonly known as the Goliath birdeater, according to National Geographic. This tarantula can reach up to 11 inches in length and weigh 6 ounces; this size is big enough to cover a dinner plate, says Guinness World Records.
Because of its status as the "largest spider to have ever lived", Megarachne quickly became popular. Based on Hünicken's detailed description of the fossil specimen and various other illustrations and reconstructions made by him, reconstructions of Megarachne as a giant spider were set up in museums around the world.
Australian researchers have discovered a super-sized species of trapdoor spiders found only in Queensland. The females of this rare species can live for over 20 years in the wild and grow up to 5cm long - large in trapdoor spider terms.
The Goliath bird-eating tarantula lives in the rainforest regions of northern South America, including Venezuela, northern Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname. It lives in the deep rainforest, in silk-lined burrows and under rocks and roots.
Researchers in Australia discovered a rare, giant species of trapdoor spider found only in Central Queensland. Its name, Euoplos dignitas, comes from the Latin word meaning dignity or greatness, "reflecting the impressive size and nature of the spider," the Queensland Museum said in a statement.
Selenocosmia crassipes can attain legspans of up to 22 cm (8.7 in). Its body length, from eyes to the rear of its abdomen, measures between 6 and 9 cm (2.4 and 3.5 in), making it the largest Australian tarantula.
Sydney Funnel Web Spider
Found nearly exclusively in Sydney, this spider is often considered the most deadly in the world. With fangs that can pierce through fingernails, and one specimen reaching 10cm stretched out, this spider is serious business. A single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes.
In Australia they are only found in the southeastern part of the country, from South Australia to Queensland via Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. You won't find them in the dry and arid zones. On the other hand, huntsman and wolf-spiders are found all over the country.
Huntsman spiders are not normally aggressive towards humans (except for females guarding their egg sacs). They are more likely to run away than attack, unless provoked.
According to the Guinness World Records, the Sydney funnel-web spider, Atrax robustus, is the most dangerous spider to humans in the world. Native to Australia, this poisonous spider is found in moist habitats such as under logs or in gardens.
“It's probably because of the urban heat-island effect and prey availability,” says Lowe. “Most invertebrates will grow to larger sizes if they are warmer. They are very sensitive to temperatures.” Urbanisation probably benefits these spiders in several ways, she says.
On average, a huntsman spider's leg-span can reach up to 15 cm (5.9 in), while their bodies measure about 1.8 cm (0.7 in) long. Like most spiders, Sparassidae use venom to immobilize prey. They have been known to inflict serious defensive bites on humans.
The giant huntsman spider is the largest member of the family Sparassidae, boasting a 30 cm (12 in) leg-span, and 4.6 cm (1.8 in) body-length.
Giant Huntsman – Heteropoda maxima (Laos)
This type of spider was discovered in Laos in 2001, hiding in a cave. Measuring by leg span, it's the biggest in the world—the creepy crawlers can reach up to a foot wide.
The Giant Carolina Wolf Spider is the Largest Wolf Spider Ever. The Carolina wolf spider is the largest species of wolf spider and can grow to 1.5 inches across.
Sydney funnel-web spider.
An estimated 5 per cent of Australians have arachnophobia, but there are plenty of others happy to get close to the creepy crawlies.
You can be prepared without making it scary. There are all kinds of dangerous things in Australia. Spiders are only part of it: we have stingers, blue-ringed octopus, stonefish, sharks, snakes…but fear of wildlife isn't a reason not to move here. Just remember, your home country likely has dangerous creatures too.
The Australian funnel-web spiders are among the deadliest spiders in the world in the effect their bites have on humans and our primate relations (although the bite has little effect on dogs and cats). There are many species of funnel-web spiders in Australia but only male Sydney Funnel-webs have caused human deaths.
Animals which feed directly on spiders include birds, reptiles, mammals and many arthropods, including other spiders, centipedes, scorpions and even some insects.
Whistling Spider (Selenocosmia crassipes)
As the largest spider in Australia, whistling spiders can grow a leg span of up to 16 cm (6.2 inches) and a body size of around 6 cm (2.3 inches).
The Goliath birdeater is the king of spiders. Weighing up to six ounces and with a leg span of nearly a foot, this tarantula is the largest arachnid on the planet. Goliaths don't usually eat birds, but they are big enough to be able to—and occasionally they do.
Australian scientists have just discovered a new species of arachnid, dubbed the giant trapdoor spider, in Queensland. It's huge, bright red, and it can live for up to two decades. Before you panic, we should note that trapdoor spiders aren't considered a threat to humans.
“It's a big, beautiful species.” Females of the species have a red-brown carapace, burrow-building behavior and can grow to 2 inches long, which is “very large” for this type of spider, according to the study. The males have a “striking 'honey-red' carapace and legs,” and their abdomens are grayish brown.