These 25 Scary Spiders Are the World’s Most Poisonous
/granite-web-prod/68/a3/68a34396b5d34c8bb3ed65e1655e9bc2.jpeg)
There are more than 43,000 species of spiders globally, but less than 30 have been responsible for human deaths. Much of it depends on the degree of venom in the bite and the size of the victim who has been bitten. Certain spider bites can take down a small animal, but very few are lethal to humans.
In most cases, a poisonous spider bite on humans results in pain, swelling, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, temporary paralysis and, in more severe cases, skin necrosis (the death of skin tissue). Fortunately, with the introduction of antivenom medication, there have been fewer spider-bite fatalities in the last 40 to 50 years.
Appearances can be misleading when it comes to spiders. A large, gnarly-looking spider may be completely harmless, yet some of the smallest arachnids have the deadliest bite. Here are 25 scary spiders that also happen to be the most dangerous in the world.
Yellow Sac Spider
/granite-web-prod/5d/e6/5de6f56b79d44bdcbdb720eedf472450.jpeg)
Size: About half an inch
Location: Eastern and midwestern U.S.
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/5b/0d/5b0d84c5d52044c7986ae1506eb894c0.jpeg)
The yellow sac spider is common in the U.S. and has a significant bite. These spiders do not build webs but construct sacs to stay in during the day. They only come out at night to hunt for food.
They often live in houses, especially during the early fall months when their food supply decreases. The yellow sac spider's fangs can pierce human skin easily. However, their bite is not deadly.
Wolf Spider
/granite-web-prod/bd/1b/bd1b19a52a834236bb85c8371abfb6a9.jpeg)
Size: About 1.5 inch
Location: Mostly in Texas, California and Missouri
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/80/2a/802a76b48bff4105bc0fcab3cb5db063.jpeg)
These spiders have excellent eyesight due to the eight eyes on their head (two large ones, six smaller ones). Since they don't spin webs to trap prey, they must hunt for their food, usually consisting of large insects.
Female wolf spiders carry the egg sacs in their jaws, and once the babies hatch, they are carried on the mother's back for a week. Although these spiders can jump and pounce on prey, their bite does not threaten humans.
Noble False Widow Spider
/granite-web-prod/4a/d7/4ad79e34f0744eccbc949b12cf34f730.jpeg)
Size: About 1 centimeter
Location: Originally from Madeira and the Canary Islands, but can now be found in Europe, North Africa, West Asia, South America and the U.S.
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/00/7d/007dead26a624687b2dad9ec316afa4d.jpeg)
The noble false widow spider is the most common arachnid in the U.K, first spotted in the region in the 1870s. Although they resemble the black widow spider, their venom is not as potent. Their bite is primarily harmless, causing pain and swelling and hospitalization in a few severe cases.
These spiders are found in the upper corners of homes and buildings to catch flying insects. Their shiny abdomen is shaped like a skull and has distinctive markings that differentiate them from other species of widow spiders.
Cupboard Spider
/granite-web-prod/70/2a/702ac7f1622d492b9dbe03f8a71cceae.jpeg)
Size: About 1 centimeter
Location: North America, Australia and New Zealand
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/09/c3/09c3b1d41836440bb24878a7d28741a6.jpeg)
Another type of false widow spider, the cupboard species, also resembles the deadly redback (sans the red stripe on the back). They build webs in dark areas both indoors and outdoors to snare their prey.
Although their bite is not dangerous to humans, minor skin lesions have occurred due to the bite. The male cupboard spider only lives for a few months, whereas the female can live two years.
Black House Spider
/granite-web-prod/70/b7/70b77ac70c2c4803ada2ee259c3c7999.jpeg)
Size: About 1-inch long (with 1.25-inch leg span)
Location: Australia
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/f6/4d/f64d96b2266e478bb743ce86678f417d.jpeg)
The robust black house spider is primarily found in Australia but has also been spotted in New Zealand and Japan. This dark arachnid prefers an urban habitat and builds a triangular-shaped web in the corners of walls and windows.
The black house spider rarely bites humans unless it feels threatened. Its venom is not deadly, but symptoms that may occur from a bite include nausea, vomiting, sweating and skin necrosis.
Goliath Birdeater Tarantula
/granite-web-prod/14/be/14bea36c6a654de28ed1acb7210fa605.jpeg)
Size: 4.7-inch body (plus a leg span of 11 inches)
Location: Australia
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/b2/1e/b21e7996ab3c4a45b6f2961365e8b105.jpeg)
The humongous spider belongs to the tarantula family and one of the largest arachnids on the planet. When including their leg-span size, they are only second to the giant huntsman spider. The goliath birdeater's diet consists mainly of any living creatures smaller than them, including frogs, mice, lizards, snakes, bats and small birds.
Although their eyesight is poor, they rely on sensitive leg hairs to get around. Their venom is only deadly to their prey; it feels and reacts more like a wasp sting in humans.
Green Lynx Spider
/granite-web-prod/a1/18/a118d23a117c440cb1030d1c3e12afcf.jpeg)
Size: About half an inch
Location: Mexico and Central America
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/53/2c/532cbe5356e6412480c13082584d1f2e.jpeg)
The green lynx is a hunting spider that lives outdoors and frequents flowers and leaves where it camouflages to ambush its prey. These impressive arachnids are beneficial predators with their unique ability to spit venom nearly 8 inches and leap on crop pests.
They help balance garden ecosystems this way; however, they are also known to kill honeybees. The green lynx seldom bites humans, but its venom, although painful, is not deadly when it does.
Camel Spider
/granite-web-prod/28/62/2862411e000649ae9e6b31e2de670ca6.jpeg)
Size: 6 inches
Location: Deserts all over the world
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/64/b7/64b79fa8f473476db3bd5245467134d5.jpeg)
Also known as the “Wind Scorpion,” these spiders have eight legs plus two extra leg-like appendages that are sensory organs. They are carnivorous creatures that eat other insects, lizards, small birds and rodents, using their strong jaws as a primary weapon.
Usually found in the desert areas of the Middle East, Mexico and the Southwestern U.S., the camel spider is nonvenomous and therefore not a threat to humans.
Blue-Footed Baboon Spider
/granite-web-prod/f9/fa/f9fa7da4f2214e678f840bd407fc96c6.jpeg)
Size: 7.9 inches (including leg span)
Location: South Africa
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/d3/33/d3332b19688c4ce08eaa0f1e97fe4d2d.png)
This South African spider earned its name for the sky-blue tips on the ends of its legs. These arachnids are hairy and have pads on their feet, giving them the appearance of a tarantula.
The blue-footed baboon spends most of its time in burrows or under rocks and logs. They are nocturnal hunters with fangs that deliver a painful bite to their victims. However, their venom is not poisonous to humans. If bitten, the worst symptom is a burning pain at the bite site.
Fringed Ornamental Tarantula
/granite-web-prod/b2/1d/b21d11ad81234c3a9b3e6b2b0c48d32d.jpeg)
Size: Up to 10 inches in length
Location: Sri Lanka
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/7b/ad/7badfd4e82e343dca0c730a6ad6f48fb.jpeg)
Also known as the ornate tiger spider, this large tarantula from Sri Lanka lives in the holes of tall trees where it spins a funnel web. Their prey consists mainly of flying insects, which they catch and paralyze.
Although there are no records of human fatalities from a fringed ornamental tarantula bite, their venom is potent, causing intense pain and muscle cramping.
Trapdoor Spider
/granite-web-prod/70/10/7010601d4d154eba88994b8fc581ff03.jpeg)
Size: 3.5 centimeters
Location: Japan, Africa, South America and North America
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/eb/8f/eb8f74efda934d11b0755d5342630973.jpeg)
The trapdoor spider is also closely related to the tarantula family and has a stocky appearance with thin hairs covering its body. These spiders do not spin webs and prefer to live in warm habitats to burrow and create a trap door to catch their prey.
They eat all kinds of small insects, snakes, mice, frogs, baby birds and even fish. Trapdoor spiders are generally timid but will bite if provoked. They're non-toxic to humans, but their bite is significantly painful.
Six-Eyed Sand Spider
/granite-web-prod/37/83/37831ae9fa0e4fe09fe57d0f6ca75cc6.jpeg)
Size: 0.5-2 inches
Location: Southern Africa
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/61/4e/614ee3229db943249668bda5089e62f0.jpeg)
The six-eyed sand spider is a close relative to the recluse spider and lives in the deserts of southern Africa. They camouflage themselves with sand articles to blend into the desert background and ambush their prey. Able to survive without food or water for long periods, this arachnid is well-adapted to desert life.
Although highly venomous, the six-eyed sand spider rarely bites humans but is capable of causing quite a bit of damage, including blood vessel leakage and tissue destruction.
Mouse Spider
/granite-web-prod/5c/f6/5cf6fe1cb811475a859830d259458b3d.jpeg)
Size: 1-3 centimeters
Location: Australia
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/4b/03/4b038b3bac6c42ac84bc8811b24994e2.jpeg)
Muse spiders are aggressive arachnids with large fangs and stocky legs. They live in protective burrows and create trap doors to catch their prey, mainly wasps, centipedes, scorpions and bandicoots.
Very few produce venom toxic to humans, typically delivering a "dry bite" if harassed.
Hobo Spider
/granite-web-prod/a9/51/a9519169b5504d21af334949c4943b86.jpeg)
Size: About 1 centimeter
Location: Pacific Northwestern U.S.
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/21/d4/21d4dcb8c4b14098984319bbc37daffa.jpeg)
Hobo spiders seek habitats in dark, damp places that have cracks, holes or crevices where they can build their funnel-shaped webs to trap bugs. The spider is common and earned its name from being found along railroad tracks in the Pacific Northwestern U.S.
Their venom is powerful enough to take down prey, but their bite is nearly painless for a human.
Katipo Spider
/granite-web-prod/32/6e/326eb5239b694cdfaaa1028a6328ef93.jpeg)
Size: Less than 1 centimeter
Location: New Zealand
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/1c/6e/1c6e0f1b815946a6a46a3c1bb43940e9.jpeg)
Related to black widows and redbacks, this endangered arachnid lives in New Zealand and delivers a potent venom dangerous to humans. The katipo spider prefers living in the grasses and driftwood along the beach, feeding on ground-crawling bugs such as beetles.
Only the female is capable of biting, and if bitten by one, a human may experience pain, sweating, fever, shaking, abdominal cramping and, in rare cases, death if left untreated.
Chilean Recluse Spider
/granite-web-prod/54/c1/54c1574ace8948a0929f12f4a377a177.jpeg)
Size: About half an inch
Location: Chili
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/c3/87/c3872790f7b748cbb1c6de303f498e0a.jpeg)
One of the larger recluse species, the Chilean recluse spider is mainly found in the forest areas of Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay, and the southern and eastern parts of Brazil. This long-legged, nocturnal spider has six eyes to help it see better in the dark when hunting for prey. But their unique metabolism enables them to go up to six months without food or water.
Depending on the potency of their bite, the effects from the Chilean recluse's injection may not appear until several hours later when blisters appear on the skin. Although most bites result in temporary skin irritation, some victims have experienced severe skin necrosis after being bit with the potent venom.
White Widow Spider
/granite-web-prod/6c/b6/6cb6217d2ab748918bc36eec785ca437.jpeg)
Size: 0.5-1 inch
Location: Russia, the Middle East and Central Asia
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/a3/80/a38042a5430549d09d263dec51a3aeb0.jpeg)
The white widow gets its name from its light coloring on the abdomen and its yellowish-brown legs. This species is not as dangerous as its black widow relative, but their bite still carries enough venom to be considered "medically significant."
The white widow builds a complex web in low-traffic areas to catch unsuspecting prey. They are rarely aggressive with humans unless startled or provoked.
Brown Recluse Spider
/granite-web-prod/fd/85/fd85147f27924281905cb96ff5424827.jpeg)
Size: About 1 inch
Location: Midwestern and South Central U.S.
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/e5/37/e5370966a51c42feb3c8982e6188ab34.jpeg)
The brown recluse is one of three dangerous spiders in North America with significantly potent venom that requires medical attention. One bite from this spider destroys cell membranes, leading to a breakdown of skin, fat and blood cells, effectively killing the surrounding tissue.
The brown recluse prefers living in dark, secluded areas around the house and is challenging to control since the females can produce 150-plus spiderlings yearly. Currently, there is no antivenom for these spider bites that leave gangrenous, open wounds on the skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you are bitten by one of these dangerous arachnids.
Black Widow Spider
/granite-web-prod/fd/98/fd98d3d657694cf5a81a7ff0d40d3358.jpeg)
Size: About 1 centimeter
Location: Northeastern U.S.
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/14/ed/14ed45676522486791907c1984a3227f.jpeg)
Considered the most venomous spider in North America, the Black Widow's bite is 15 times stronger than a rattlesnake's bite. Only the females are a threat to humans, though rarely does their venom cause fatalities in healthy humans. Effects from their bite include nausea, sweating, pain in the abdomen and back, muscle aches and difficulty breathing. Death can occur in severe cases involving the very young, the elderly and the sick.
The female black widow is easily identified by the red hourglass shape on its underside. They've earned their name from carrying out sexual cannibalism after mating, which explains the shorter lifespan of the male widows.
Brown Widow Spider
/granite-web-prod/4d/f2/4df23d8189b449218423a41eb7187d7c.jpeg)
Size: About 1 inch
Location: Throughout the U.S.
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/3f/c5/3fc5bb4b34c04827bc40ac52c1d5c01a.jpeg)
The brown widow plays an essential role in our ecosystem by killing insects considered pests such as flies, mosquitos and digger wasps. They build their webs near vegetation in tropical areas or secluded places such as storage closets, garages and under cars.
Although the female brown widow's bite is poisonous, it is less harmful than the injection from a black widow. Their venom can cause swelling and redness in the bite area along with fever, joint pain and nausea, but other than these symptoms, they are not considered deadly.
Corner Funnel Weaver Spider
/granite-web-prod/ec/ff/ecff9c608fac4199aa880bb7d49ba578.jpeg)
Size: 0.5-2 inches
Location: Throughout the U.S. and Canada
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/62/dd/62ddaab9d4cf434aa65528f8a8d74036.jpeg)
The corner funnel weaver is extremely fast on its legs and builds a funnel-shaped web to trap its prey. Like other funnel-web spiders, the arachnid has toxic venom and should be considered potentially dangerous to humans.
Symptoms from bites include a tingling sensation around the mouth, sweating, nausea, vomiting, headaches and high blood pressure. However, due to their small size, their fangs have difficulty penetrating human skin.
Red Widow Spider
/granite-web-prod/9a/30/9a30ad0188ff4147a5bb76ecf2bd115c.jpeg)
Size: 1.5-2 inches
Location:Central and southern Florida in the U.S
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/b9/57/b9571797a1b542f4b33b6880c6445490.jpeg)
The red widow gets its name from its bright reddish-orange coloring. They are primarily found in the sand dunes near sand pine vegetation, creating webs in palmetto bushes.
They are poisonous, but there is no record of bites from this species due to its tendency to avoid human contact. Although the females can lay 200 to 400 legs, the red widow is currently declared a threatened species in the U.S.
Sydney Funnel-Web Spider
/granite-web-prod/4a/9d/4a9d0c10b498464e8e19e3482871a85f.jpeg)
Size: About 1 inch
Location: Australia
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/48/0e/480e6996f3f64774976467302307d5c7.jpeg)
There are at least 40 species of funnel web spiders, but the Sydney funnel web is one of the most venomous arachnids in Australia. Between 30 and 40 people are bitten by them yearly, and at least 13 deaths occurred from bites between 1927 to 1981. These spiders can kill a human within 15 minutes from a single bite.
Unlike many other arachnids, the males of this species have venom six times more toxic than the females. The poison is known to attack the victim's nervous system and affect the body's organs, causing a quick death. Fortunately, an antivenom was introduced in 1981and has since saved hundreds of lives.
Redback Spider
/granite-web-prod/b0/c3/b0c3c8dcfdcf4b44903c916bf4e53f64.jpeg)
Size: About half an inch
Location: Australia
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/b8/1d/b81d65d8f8d54ff8b737b7a7aa730a02.jpeg)
Just like the name, these Australian spiders have a bright red mark on their back. They are extremely dangerous arachnids — one bite from this spider will lead to certain death if not treated immediately with an antivenom.
Redbacks prefer drier habitats but are capable of living in forests. Their webs can be found among rocks, logs, shrubs, tree hollows and even inside homes. Although their diet consists mainly of insects, they are cannibalistic creatures with females that eat their partners after mating and spiderlings eating their less-active siblings.
Brazilian Wandering Spider
/granite-web-prod/65/59/6559602ec43a420184572a778a2018ce.jpeg)
Size: 2-6 inches
Location: Brazil
What Makes This Scary Spider So Dangerous
/granite-web-prod/fa/02/fa02d411bc314abc9d38379ea8a9f885.jpeg)
The Guinness Book of World Records considers the Brazilian wandering spider the most venomous in the world. They are brown, hairy spiders similar to the American Wolf spider in appearance but larger and far more toxic. Hundreds of people are bitten yearly by this dangerous arachnid, but a powerful antivenom has prevented death in most cases.
They are not necessarily aggressive but, if threatened, will rise up on their first two legs in a posture that serves as a warning that they are ready to attack. People bitten by the Brazilian wandering spider have reported symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramping, high or low blood pressure, blurred vision, hypothermia, fast or slow heartbeat, convulsions, sweating and shock. Therefore, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention if bitten by one of these deadly arachnids.