Top 10 most venomous spiders in the world

Top 10 most venomous spiders in the world

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Published: November 2, 2024 at 9:00 am

Venomous spiders have earned a reputation as one of the deadliest and most dangerous creatures on planet Earth. The stars of countless nightmares and horror movies, these eight-legged predators are renowned for subduing and paralysing their prey before devouring it, often while it's still alive.

Although most species of spiders possess venom glands, they don't typically pose a threat to humans. There are, however, some species of spiders that pack a punch big enough to give us cause for concern – some with enough to cause pain and irritation similar to that of a bee or wasp sting, but some much worse.

Regardless, it's recommended to seek medical advice and treatment if you are unfortunate enough to be bitten.

So here are 10 deadliest and most venomous spiders to look out for.

10 – Mouse spider

Black and red spider close up.
An eastern mouse spider (Missulena bradleyi), photographed in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Robert Whyte/Wikipedia Commons

The mouse spider doesn't eat mice, as its name might suggest, instead it gets its title due to its habit of living underground in a burrow rather than in a web.

These burrows are usually hidden away from human eyes and the mouse spider is not generally aggressive. Its venom may cause headaches and or numbness if you happen to be bitten, but despite its gruesome appearance, it's not really anything to worry about.

9 – Lycosa tarantula spider

Large grey spider on green leaves.
Portrait of a spider wolf (Lycosa tarantula) photographed in a field. Photo by Getty Images

The tarantula spider wolf is the second-biggest spider to make it on our list. It can be found in southern Europe and takes its name from the city of Taranto in the south of Italy.

These spiders are nocturnal and have excellent eyesight, so we don't tend to come into contact with them very often. While they may look scary and mean, they rarely bite humans and their venom is not especially dangerous to us.

8 – Brown widow spider

Close-up Brown Spider.
A female adult brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus) on her web. Photo by Getty Images

Unlike a lot of native Australian spiders that have made our list, the brown widow can be found all over the world. They can be easily identified by their stripey legs and the vivid markings on their abdomens.

The brown widow can't deliver as much venom as their more dangerous relative, the black widow. This is due to their bites containing fewer toxins. However, their venom can still occasionally cause some nasty side effects in humans such as pain at the bite site and the onset of vomiting.

7 – White-tailed spider

Threatening black spider close-up.
A white-tailed spider (Lampona cylindrata), native to southern and eastern Australia. Photo by Getty Images

The white-tailed spider is another creepy crawlie on our list that doesn't catch its prey in webs. This is mainly because their preferred prey is other spiders, like the common blackhouse spider.

This species can and will bite humans, and can often be found hiding in clothes and shoes. If you are unlucky enough to be bitten, you can expect to experience nausea, vomiting and a nasty headache.

6 – Southern black widow

Black spider on web with red marking on body.
A female black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans), hanging upside-down in her web and showing her distinctive red hourglass marking. Photo by Getty Images

Black widows are one of the most well-known species of 'dangerous' spider. However, like most spiders, they only bite when hunting or when they feel threatened.

Their bite – administered using parts of their mouths known as chelicerae – is certainly less dangerous than their reputation suggests and human deaths from black widow venom are incredibly rare, with the elderly and very young being the most likely to suffer from serious illness.

Females can be identified by the distinctive red markings on their abdomens, and are also much bigger than males. The females can also live up to three years, while males only tend to live a few months.

5 – Redback spider 

Spider with big black and red body.
An Australian redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti), on red soil. Photo by Getty Images

Redback spiders are considered as being dangerous to humans – a situation complicated by the fact that they like to hang out inside our homes.

When the redback first finds its prey, it covers it in a sticky substance to immobilise it. Then, in a scene reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings, it wraps its prey in silk, injects it with venom via multiple bites and hauls it off to its lair. Eventually, the unfortunate victim ends ups having their insides liquified and sucked out.

As you can imagine, a bite from one of these spiders could prove quite painful to a human, and can also result in headaches and nausea.

4 – Brown recluse spider

Close up of red and orange spider.
An anterior view of a brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa). Photo by Insects Unlocked/Wiki Commons

The brown recluse spider is usually found in North America, and as its name suggests, is quite shy and retiring. You aren't likely to be bitten by one unless you are unfortunate enough to accidentally step on one, place your hand on one or lean on one.

If you do find yourself in this situation, a bite from a brown recluse can be a painful affair. Their venom can cause vomiting and fever, and in very rare cases can cause red blood cells to burst. They are considered dangerous, and anyone on the wrong end of a bite from one should be checked out by a medical professional.

3 – Chilean recluse spider

Orange spider close-up.
Immature male Chilean recluse spider (Loxosceles laeta), shot in the Finnish Museum of Natural History in Helsinki. Photo by S Siltane/Wiki Commons

As its name suggests, the Chilean recluse spider is mainly found in Chile but it has also been spotted in some parts of the USA and in Brazil. They are very similar to brown recluse spiders in that they are not particularly aggressive. However, the Chilean variety is more dangerous.

Its nasty bite can cause tissue damage in humans which can take months to heal and can leave behind visible scars. In very rare cases, the toxins from a bite can lead to kidney failure and, very occasionally, can result in death.

2 – Brazilian wandering spider

big brown spider on green leaf.
Brazilian wandering spider or Banana Spider (Phoneutria genus), photographed in the Tambopata Nature Reserve, Madre de Dios Region, Peru. Photo by Getty Images

Brazilian wandering spiders can grow up to 48mm in body length, roughly the length of an adult's index finger, making them the biggest species on our list. They get their name from their nighttime visits to the jungle floor to find prey. During the day, they like to hide in banana plants and can find their way into banana shipments that travel to other parts of the globe – remember that on your next visit to the supermarket.

They are another species that likes to take shelter in the nooks and crannies of houses or cars and will administer a nasty bite if threatened or touched.

Females have more toxic venom compared to males, and a bite can lead to raised blood pressure, fever, vomiting, sweating and breathing difficulties. In some extreme cases, it can lead to paralysis, respiratory arrest and death, if left untreated.

1 – Australian funnel-web spider

Black and red spider raised up.
A venomous Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) showing its fangs. Photo by Getty Images

The Australian funnel-web spider is the most venomous spider in the world. It is also one of the most aggressive and deadliest creatures on Earth. Australia is often associated with dangerous spiders, and this species is one of the main reasons why.

The funnel-web is incredibly defensive, and because of this can bite several times in a single attack. The bite itself is very painful, and symptoms can arise quickly. If a bite is left untreated it can lead to serious illness and even death. Children are especially susceptible to bites and must be taken to hospital as soon as possible if bitten.

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