If you have got a fear of spiders, then join the estimated six percent of the population that suffers from arachnophobia. So you may not have the full blown phobia, but you may have just a hint of fear of spiders, should you? Well for starters, you should know what spider is safe and which spider is not. That’s why we are here to go over some of the most dangerous spiders in the world.
Not all spiders are scary. In fact, the Bagheera kiplingi is the world’s only (mostly) vegetarian, jumping spider.
Known for its peculiar jumping habits, you will often find the Bagheera kiplingi jumping rope with his buddies in Mexico in the Acacia Collinsii trees, his favorite habitat.
With between 30,000 to 40,000 species of spiders, most are harmless to humans—bugs on the other hand—not wild about spiders.
Still, studies suggest that six percent of the world’s population suffers from Arachnophobia, and there are 14 deadly spiders better left alone, but in all cases, none of the spiders actively hunt humans, and they do not go out of their way to attack us.
So whether you live in an area that is dominated by them, or you simply have a curiosity about them, today you have come to the right place. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the world’s most dangerous and venomous spiders.
You may be surprised by the spiders that make our list. But, perhaps most importantly is the fact that our list will give you that much more insight about what spider to stay away from and what spider you shouldn’t fear. Let’s get started!
#14. Indian Ornamental Tarantula
We have all heard of the popular tarantula, but how about the Ornamental Tarantula. In every sense of the word, this distinct tarantula stands up to its name and more.
Growing to a maximum of seven to eight inches, the Indian Ornamental Tarantula can only be found in India. The best place to find the Indian Ornamental is in the trees where it hunts.
What’s weird is some people keep these spiders as pets, but experts have cited them as having the most potent venom of all the tarantulas. Victims will often suffer from chest pains, muscle spasms and flu-like symptoms for days or even weeks as the venom leaves your body.
#13. Redback Spider
Upon first glance, you might mistake the Redback Spider for the Black Widow. However, the red stripe on the female’s back and the orange hourglass on the underside will not fool you.
A native spider of Australia, the Redback has spread to other countries like Belgium, Japan and New Zealand. Only one centimeter in size, the Redback’s bite can be fatal for humans.
Those who survived have described unbearable pain, muscle spasms, sweating and vomiting. The Redback prefers the taste of anything from cockroaches, other spider to lizards.
#12. Brown Widow Spider
Originally believed to be from South America or Africa, the Brown Widow is a cousin to the more famous Black Widow. Unfortunately, the Brown Widow can be found everywhere from the Outback of Australia to your hotel in Thailand.
He has even been spotted in the United States, but the Brown Widow does have a less potent bite than the Black Widow. While the neurotoxic venom will be as powerful as a Black Widow, its incisors do not deliver as much venom. The venom also tends to remain localized over spreading through the body or limb.
#11. Goliath Birdeater Tarantula
With a name like that, you’d imagine the Goliath Birdeater to be deadly, but despite its name, this tarantula normally only eats insects, mice and the occasional lizard.
The Goliath’s bite can cause swelling and mild pain for a few hours, but the real danger lies in the hairs found on its back. When scared, the Goliath rubs its back legs onto its abdomen and shoots out a deadly cloud of bristles in the air.
This gets into your lungs and eyes to cause serious problem. It makes a hissing noise called stridulation that can be heard from 15 feet away, and the best advice is to run if you hear this.
#10. Hobo Spider
Little is actually known about the Hobo Spider, and some experts argue about its threat to humans. However, some studies suggest many of the bites attributed to the Brown Recluse was actually a Hobo Spider.
Because of its color and features, it can sometimes be mistaken for other spiders. The Hobo Spider can cause what is known as necrosis where the tissue and the skin starts to break down. Other reported symptoms of a Hobo Spider include headaches, vision problems and tiredness.
In particular, Hobo Spiders are protective of their egg sacs, and they will bite when humans are unaware of encroaching on their territory.
#9. Brown Recluse Spider
About two centimeters in size, the Brown Recluse is far from intimidating like the larger tarantulas, but their bite can be fatal. In most cases, the Brown Recluse’s bite will not be felt or harmful.
For around one-third of Brown Recluse bites, however, studies have shown the bite can lead to necrosis. In other cases, the victim suffers organ damage and death.
You will often find the Brown Recluse hiding in undisturbed wood piles or old buildings, but luckily, this is not an aggressive spider.
#8. Red Widow Spider
What makes the Red Widow stand out from other Widows is the bright coloring and patterns you see on its body and legs. You will only find the Red Widow in Florida, and the species has been threatened with extinction because of the ever-expanding human population and development.
While no humans have been documented as bitten because of a limited habitat, studies reveal the Red Widow has toxin as dangerous as the Black Widow.
#7. Black Widow Spider
Most people think of the Black Widow as a dangerous spider, and that reputation does not come without good reason. Found throughout Mexico, the United States and Canada, pop culture, however, has given it some exaggerated claims about the Black Widow.
It’s bite does not inevitably lead to death, but most people will experience swelling and pain. More severe symptoms include nausea, vomiting, chills, cramps and a fever.
There have been cases of death with small children and the elderly, but the Black Widow bite rarely kills. About five percent of the bites were fatal and most of them happened after 24 hours without medical treatment.
#6. Mouse Spider
This next spider may have a cute name, but it is downright terrifying. It is super easy to spot thanks to its unique color combination, and it is certainly one of the world’s spiders that you want to stay away from.
The Mouse Spider got the name not because it looks like Mickey Mouse but because experts originally thought it dug burrows. The Mouse Spider can be found throughout Australia and areas of South America.
Sometimes they have been confused with a Funnel-Web Spider because they look similar. However, if you get bitten by a Mouse Spider, medical experts urge you to get medical attention immediately.
Their venom is even similar to the Funnel-Web Spider, but its bite can be reversed using Funnel Web Spider anti-venom. Mouse Spiders are aggressive, and they will bite if provoked.
However, many times this spider gives what is known as a “dry bite” or bite without venom.
#5. Chilean Recluse
The Chilean Recluse originates from South America, but it has now spread to Europe, North America and Australia. Considered the deadliest of the Recluse spiders, the Chilean Recluse prefers to remain in undisturbed areas like wood piles and sheds.
Normally, the bites occur as a result of accidental contact, and its bite has been described as a drawn out cigarette burn. One in 10 people will die from the Chilean Recluse’s bite.
Most will suffer from severe pain, and necrosis is not uncommon, and it can take months of healing.
#4. Northern Funnelweb Spider
People with Arachnophobia will hate Australia. The Northern Funnelweb can be found in New South Wales and Queensland. A larger spider that exposes its fangs dripping with venom when threatened, most people bitten will display severe symptoms of poisoning.
The lucky few will only experience nausea, muscle spasms and vomiting as well as pain. More commonly, people will drool, they’ll see double, they will have a hard time swallowing and they will have difficulty breathing.
A bite from the Northern Funnelweb can even send you into a coma. The faster you are treated with antivenin, the better off you will be.
#3. Six-Eyed Sand Spider
A spider that grows around five centimeters, it lives in the sandy areas and deserts of Africa. Like camels, the Sand Spider can go a long time before it needs water or food—in fact, some researchers suggest up to a year.
It is amusing to watch it bury itself in the ground, but when it bites, this hemolytic-necrotoxic toxin will thin the blood and destroy tissues.
It causes blood vessels to rupture, and the worst part is, no anti-venom exists to stop it. Fortunately, Six-Eyed Sand Spiders are shy and there are no recorded fatalities because of it.
#2. Sydney Funnelweb Spider
Interestingly enough, this spider lives only within a 100 kilometer radius of Sydney, Australia. Hey look, another deadly spider of Australia! Normally, you find this spider outside on trees, under rocks and on tree stumps.
In particular, heavy rainfall causes them to move location, which is when you see an increase in bites. The male’s venom is especially deadly and causes pain, vomiting, hypotension, respiratory failure and death.
It kills within 15 minutes. With a bite to the torso, you’re dead.
#1. Brazilian Wandering Spider
A bite known for causing long lasting erections in males, this is a big reason researchers have looked to it for clues about curing erectile dysfunction. In terms of size, the Brazilian Wandering Spider can grow up to 15cm.
When threatened, it rears up with two legs and shows off its deadly fangs. Unlike other spiders, the Brazilian Wandering Spider knows its death on eight legs and never backs down against anything that comes too close. Its bite can cause hypothermia, convulsions, sweating, swelling and nausea.
In the severe cases paralysis, loss of muscle control and asphyxiation have been reported. It takes the number one spot because even a small amount of venom will kill. This spider even deserves a video so people can see it and hopefully avoid it.
Avoiding These Spiders At All Costs
Venomous spiders exist but considering 40,000 species are out there, and these are some of the deadliest, you don’t have to worry too much. The first nine were rarely fatal bites.
Despite what an Arachnophobe might tell you, they do not actively hunt humans, and they are crucial to the planet’s ecosystem. Did you know, spiders eat more insects than birds and bats combined?
Some species of male spiders even give flies as presents to their girlfriends. That sounds like a real romantic Valentine’s Day.
We hope that our list of the world’s most venomous spiders has come in handy for you. Hopefully, now, you have a better understanding of what type of spiders you should stay away from and which ones are safe.