Meet the biggest spider in the world: It can grow up to 11 inches in length.

Olivia Munson, USA TODAY
Updated ·2 min read
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More than 43,000 different spider species roam the Earth, but these creepy crawlers do not always go bump in the night.

The eight-legged insects vary in size and shape, with the smallest spiders in the world coming from the family Symphytognathidae, according to Guinness World Records. Spiders of this family can be mere inches; the smallest Patu digua spider was recorded at 0.014 inches, while the Samoan moss spider can be as small as 0.011 inches long.

But what about the opposite side of the spectrum? How large can spiders get? Here is the biggest spider in the world, as well as other record-breaking spiders.

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What is biggest spider in the world?

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.

The Goliath birdeater was given its nickname as the result of an 18th century engraving of a tarantula eating a hummingbird, says National Geographic. In reality, these spiders rarely eat birds and mostly consume arthropods.

Unlike other spiders, Goliath birdeaters do not spin webs. Instead, these spiders produce and use silk to line the burrows they live in beneath the forest floor, says National Geographic.

Goliath birdeaters are venomous, but not enough to be toxic to humans. If a human was bitten by a Goliath birdeater, the bite would be similar to a wasp sting, and they almost never require medical attention, according to National Geographic.

Top 10 biggest spiders, by leg span

Here are the biggest spiders in the world by leg span: 

  • Giant huntsman spider (12-inch leg span)

  • Goliath birdeater (11-inch leg span)

  • Brazilian salmon pink birdeater (10-inch leg span)

  • Brazilian giant tawny red tarantula (10-inch leg span)

  • Face-size tarantula (8-inch leg span)

  • Hercules baboon spider (7.9-inch leg span)

  • Colombian giant redleg tarantula (7-inch leg span)

  • Camel spider (6-inch leg span)

  • Brazilian wandering spider (5.9-inch leg span)

  • Cerbalus aravaensis (5.5-inch leg span)

Creepy crawlers: Here are some spiders that would leave you terrified

The funnel web spider is recognized as the deadliest spider in the world, being responsible for several human deaths in Australia.
The funnel web spider is recognized as the deadliest spider in the world, being responsible for several human deaths in Australia.

What is the deadliest spider in the world?

The funnel web spider is recognized as the deadliest spider in the world. This Australian spider packs a punch; its venom contains 40 different toxic proteins, according to Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

This spider was responsible for several human deaths in the Sydney area, but no deaths have been reported from a funnel web spider in Australia since 1980. 

Read more:  What is the deadliest spider in the world? 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is the biggest spider in the world? These are largest arachnids.