Giant Spiders and Legendary Monstrous Spiders Around the World

Giant Spiders Around the World

Spiders come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny jumping spiders to large tarantulas. But most spiders have bodies that measure only centimeters or inches long. So what about legends and stories of spiders reaching monstrous proportions of 10 feet or even 20 feet across? Let's explore some of these giant spider tales from around the world and examine what could be behind the mythology.

Camel Spiders

One of the more notorious giant spider rumors originates from sightings of camel spiders during military operations in the Middle East. Camel spiders are a type of solifugid, not technically a true spider. They have eight legs like spiders but only six eyes instead of eight, and lack silk spinning glands.

The largest camel spider species is the Egyptian giant solpugid. They can achieve body lengths around 6 inches, with legspans up to 10 inches. Despite stories of them being over a foot long, that would be highly improbable. Their speed combined with large mandibles can make them alarming looking.

Solifugids are also sometimes called wind scorpions or sun spiders. They inhabit arid and desert regions throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. During the day they hide in burrows and under rocks to stay cool, then become active predators at night.

Goliath Birdeater Spider

The world's largest known spider is likely the South American goliath birdeater. It can attain legspans up to 12 inches, capable of reaching dinner plate size proportions. Specimens weighing over 6 oz. have been recorded, equal to the size of a small burger!

Despite its name, the goliath birdeater does not actually prey on birds, instead feeding primarily on insects and other invertebrates. It received its name from early explorers who witnessed them eating young birds on occasion.

These spiders inhabit remote rainforest regions of northern South America. During the day they reside in deep burrows lined with silk, emerging at night to actively hunt for food.

Japanese Spider Crab

Giant crab spiders are another contender for being called a 20 foot spider. The Japanese spider crab in particular can have leg spans exceeding 12 feet from claw to claw. However, its body or cephalothorax is under 2 feet across.

These massive crustaceans are found in Pacific waters off Japan. They use their long slender legs to walk across the seafloor instead of swimming. Their primary food source is shellfish like muscles, clams, and oysters pried open with their strong claws.

The Japanese spider crab inhabits depths up to 1,600 feet. To avoid predators in their vulnerable juvenile stage, they adorn their shells with sponges and other marine vegetation as camouflage.

Mygalomorph Spiders

There are numerous lineages of primitive mygalomorph spiders that reach larger than typical sizes. Mygalomorphs include tarantulas and trapdoor spiders.

One of the largest is the goliath bird-eating spider of northern South America. They can achieve nearly 12 inch legspans. Their diet consists mainly of insects, but they're able to prey on small vertebrates too.

The giant huntsman spider found in Laos and Vietnam is another giant, with a legspan up to 12 inches wide. They are fast moving predators that actively hunt at night. Their huge size helps them capture larger prey like birds, mice, and lizards.

Australian Huntsman Spiders

Australia is home to numerous oversized spider species, including some very large huntsman spiders. The giant gray huntsman can have legspans exceeding 10 inches across. Despite their intimidating size, they are not considered dangerous to humans.

There are photos circulating online purporting to show even larger Australian huntsman spiders with alleged legspans up to 20-24 inches across. But most arachnologists agree these images are likely victims of forced perspective enhancement or digital alteration to exaggerate their sizes.

Monster Hoax Photos

Giant spider legends and cryptids like the South American Mapinguari or Australian Yara-ma-yha-who have inspired many hoaxes and dubious photos of supposed giant spiders. These often spread widely through social media.

Viral images may show giant spider sculptures, digital composites, or forced perspective techniques to make the spider appear far larger than in reality. It is important to always scrutinize the source and validity of improbable animal photos.

Prehistoric Giant Spiders

While most oversized spider accounts today are exaggerations or outright hoaxes, there were indeed giant spiders in prehistoric times millions of years ago.

Megarachne Servinei

Megarachne servinei inhabited South America during the Carboniferous period about 300 million years ago. Its legspan is estimated to have been around 20 inches. For decades it was thought to be a giant spider, but later analysis reclassified it as a eurypterid - an extinct group of sea scorpions.

Mesothelae Spider

A fossil mesothelae spider unearthed in China dates back 165 million years to the Jurassic era. The spider is estimated to have had a 5 inch legspan and nearly 1 inch body length. Mesothelae are a primitive group of spiders still around today.

Other prehistoric spider fossils have been found suggesting body sizes ranging from .8 to 2 inches, significantly larger than their modern relatives. Increased oxygen levels during this era allowed insect and arachnid species to evolve to giant sizes.

Griffinflies

Extinct griffinflies are a related group that could grow even more massive, with wingspans over 20 inches! These giant insects known as Meganeura inhabited swamp forests in the Carboniferous period.

Griffinflies were likely an important food source for giant spiders and other predators at this time. Their large size was enabled by higher atmospheric oxygen levels.

Legendary Giant Spiders

Myths of monstrous spiders appear in folklore cultures worldwide. Their origins may be related to discovery of fossils, or exaggerated tales transforming ordinary spiders into beasts of legend.

Anansi the Trickster

Stories of Anansi originated in West Africa featuring him as a spider trickster deity. Tales spread via the slave trade to countries like Suriname, Haiti, Jamaica, and the American South. Anansi was depicted as either a normal sized spider, or according to some stories, a giant spider capable of capturing prey as large as tiger.

Australian Dreamtime

Aboriginal dreamtime legends tell of Nangar, a giant mythical spider who aided in shaping the landscape. Different tales describe Nangar as ranging from human sized to enormous proportions. This spider-creator spirit symbolized wisdom, creativity, and power.

Greek Arachne

In Ancient Greek mythology, Arachne was originally a mortal girl famed for her incredible weaving skills. But when she offended the goddess Athena, she was transformed into a spider, condemned to forever hang from threads and weave webs.

East Asian Dragons

Some Chinese and Japanese folk legends describe powerful dragon deities as capable of shape-shifting into giant spider forms. These included examples like Jorogumo, an ancient Japanese spider spirit able of transforming into a woman to lure victims.

Deadly Spider Species

While most spiders remain small and harmless to humans, there are a number of larger species capable of inflicting medically significant bites:

Brazilian Wandering Spider

These aggressive rainforest spiders have legspans up to 8 inches. Their venom can cause severe pain, sweating, and goosebumps. Potentially lethal to children and the elderly.

Brown Recluse Spider

Shy but venomous spiders up to 1 inch long. Mostly found in the southern and central United States. Their hemotoxic venom can lead to painful wounds and necrosis.

Black Widow Spider

Iconic spiders identified by red hourglass marking. Found throughout much of the world in dark hidden areas. Venom is neuro

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.