The Most Threatening Spiders In The World Have Us Gobsmacked – Stay Away If You See One
Small, swift, and venomous, certain spiders rank among Earth's most dangerous predators. Take the infamous Black Widow, known for sometimes killing and eating their male partners, or the hairy wolf spider, which generally bites only in self-defense. Dive in to explore some of the world’s deadliest and most fascinating spiders.
Ready to uncover the chilling secrets of these captivating arachnids?
White-Tailed Spiders Hunt Other Spiders With Their Painful Bite
White-Tailed Spiders are widespread across southern Australia. Unlike many spiders that feed on insects or small animals, these daring predators focus on hunting other spiders.
For people, a bite from a White-Tailed Spider can cause symptoms like pain, itching, swelling, headaches, and, in rare severe instances, vomiting.
Huntsman Spider Bites Result In An Irregular Pulse Rate
The Huntsman Spider, also known as the wood spider due to its preference for forest habitats, is notably large, with leg spans reaching up to 11 inches.
Though typically not aggressive, these spiders can deliver defensive bites to humans, resulting in symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, intense pain, and swelling.
Mouse Spider Bites Cause Muscle Spasms
Mouse Spiders get their name from their habit of living in underground burrows, much like mice. Their bites can cause symptoms similar to those of other local spiders, particularly the funnel-web spider, such as muscle twitching, breathing difficulties, and sometimes confusion or disorientation.
Thankfully, there have been no reported deaths resulting from Mouse Spider bites.
Chinese Bird Spiders Venom Is Lethal For Rodents
The Chinese Bird Spider, a member of the tarantula family, is known for its potent venom. Usually living in underground burrows, it hunts mice and other small rodents.
Though the full effects of its venom on humans are not well understood, it's powerful enough that even a small dose can be fatal to mice.
Black Widows Kill And Eat Their Mates
Black Widow spiders are instantly recognizable thanks to the vivid red hourglass shape on their abdomens and are considered some of the most venomous spiders out there. What's both fascinating and eerie is that their threat goes beyond just humans—female Black Widows often kill and eat their mates after mating. These spiders have a global presence, inhabiting many regions around the world.
The Chilean Recluse Spiders Are Extremely Toxic
The Chilean Recluse Spider is thought to be the most dangerous of the recluse spiders. Native to South America, the Chilean Recluse's venom is extremely toxic to humans, sometimes resulting in the victim's death.
While no one wants the venom of this spider running through their veins, it is actually medically significant.
The Sydney Funnel-Web Spiders Bite Has Caused At Least 13 Deaths
Hailing from Australia, the Sydney Funnel Web Spider is among the most feared spiders in the area. Between 1927 and 1980, its bite caused 13 confirmed fatalities.
Known for its intense pain, the bite can trigger muscle spasms, trouble breathing, and even disorientation and confusion.
Camel Spiders Liquefy Its Victims Skin
Camel Spiders can reach lengths of five to six inches, legs included. Their size has sparked numerous urban legends, adding to the mystery surrounding these arachnids.
Found in hot desert regions worldwide, they use digestive fluids to break down their prey's flesh. Surprisingly, despite their fearsome reputation, their bite is not deadly to humans.
Redback Spiders Release An Alpha-Latrotoxin
Originating in Australia, Redback Spiders inject several toxins with their bites, the most notorious being alpha-latrotoxin, which can cause significant discomfort in humans. Most spider bite reports in Australia involve Redbacks.
Fortunately, although their bites can cause intense pain, chest tightness, breathing difficulties, and other symptoms, they are not fatal to humans.
The Six-Eyed Sand Spiders Have A Painful Bite
- Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Wikimedia / CC BY-SA 3.0
The Six-Eyed Sand Spider inhabits the sandy areas of southern Africa. Their flattened bodies have earned them the nickname six-eyed crab spiders. However, their unique appearance is deceiving.
This spider's bite is extremely painful and venomous, potentially causing life-threatening wounds if infection sets in.
Goliath Birdeater Tarantula Is The Largest Spider In The World
Although it's called the Goliath Birdeater Tarantula, this spider doesn’t actually prey on birds—instead, it feeds mainly on worms. As the largest spider species on Earth, its body can reach up to five inches long and weigh around six ounces.
Equipped with sizable fangs, it is venomous, but thankfully, its venom is more irritating than deadly.
Brown Recluse's Venom Is Medically Significant
When the Brown Recluse bites, it injects a venom that causes cells and organs in the body to die prematurely. Fortunately, there is a positive side to their venom.
The Brown Recluse is one of only three spiders in North America whose venom is medically important. Still, getting bitten by one is far from easy to deal with.
Brazilian Wandering Spiders Are The Deadliest In The World
The Brazilian Wandering Spider is considered the deadliest spider on the planet. Its venom can trigger symptoms like hypothermia, fluctuating blood pressure, nausea, intense burning at the bite site, sweating, dizziness, and even blurry vision.
These spiders are mostly found in South America, with one subspecies located in Central America.
Brown Widows Cause Damage To The Nervous System
The Brown Widow, also known as the hourglass button spider, is recognized by its orange-yellow hourglass marking and the black and white patterns on its body. A cousin of the notorious Black Widow, the Brown Widow produces neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system of its prey.
Fortunately, its bite isn't lethal to humans.
Yellow Sac Spiders Are Painful But Not Lethal
Yellow Sac Spiders are known for their pale yellow or beige appearance. While their bite isn't fatal to humans, it is still one of the more painful bites you can encounter.
This spider releases a necrotic toxin that causes intense pain and significant swelling.
Wolf Spiders Chase Their Prey Over Long Distances
Wolf Spiders are interesting, as they do not spin webs and have the energy and persistence to chase and hunt their prey over long distances. They will then pounce and bite, expelling a painful bite that is, thankfully, not lethal to humans.
Their bites usually result in inflamed skin and mild pain.
Fringed Ornamental Tarantula Bites Are Very Painful
The Fringed Ornamental Tarantula is native to Sri Lanka and is no walk in the park. While their bites aren't lethal, according to records, they are very painful and can cause muscle cramping and spasms.
This is a non-fatal spider that really shouldn't be on anyone's list to see in person.
