14 of the World’s Deadliest Spiders To Avoid

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From tiny to bird-eating size, spiders are among the most recognized and often most feared members of the creepy crawlies kingdom. Found across the globe, there are very few habitats that do not house these eight-legged arachnids.

While most spiders present a low threat to humans, there are a few that you can watch for. These are 14 of the world’s deadliest. And spoiler, you may want to stay away from the widow variety.

1. Six-Eyed Sand Spider (Hexophthalma)

six eyed sand spider
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As its name implies, the six-eyed sand spider is a desert dweller, which is good news for those in residential homes. It is medium-sized and found primarily in Africa and South America. This spider is an expert at disguising itself in its surroundings.

Though this spider is naturally shy, it possesses one of the most dangerous venoms in the world.

2. Trap Door Spider (Antrodiaetidae)

trap door spider
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The nocturnal trap door spider has a bulbous body and short legs, and while it may not win any running races, it is adept at tunneling.

With large fangs, any species of the trap door spider will cause some pain to a human. However, the outcome will not be so lucky for a cockroach or smaller spider.

3. White-Tailed Spider (Lampona Cylindrata)

white tailed spider
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Another of Australia’s natives, the white-tailed spider, does not build a web and is notorious for hunting other spiders. While this may sound agreeable to humans, their bite is to be cautioned, as it will cause redness or burning.

4. Red-Headed Mouse Spider (Missulena Occatoria)

red headed mouse spider
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Partial to frogs and lizards as a meal, the red-headed mouse spider is another proud resident of Australia.

Though human death by red-headed mouse spider bite has never been recorded, their venom is thought to be potent enough to do so.

5. White Widow Spider (Lactrodectus Pallidus)

white widow spider
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The white widow spider is one of the rarer types of widow spiders. It can injure a human with its venomous bite, and it is found in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It is one to avoid.

6. Brown Recluse Spider (Loxosceles Reclusa)

brown recluse spider
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As its name suggests, the brown recluse spider prefers not to interact with humans, though it is considered a prevalent breed. Located in the United States, the little spider might seem harmless, but its bite can cause issues.

Capable of causing necrotic, or rotting, skin lesions, the brown recluse can send a human to hospital and even occasionally cause death.

7. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Phoneutria Nigriventer)

brazilian wandering spider
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Also called a banana spider, the Brazilian wandering spider is part of the genus Phoneutria, which coincidentally translates to murderess in Greek.

The Brazilian wandering spider is one of the more giant arachnids, with a leg span of up to seven inches. With a powerful bite, this spider’s venom can cause a toxic response in the body, which would demand medical attention.

8. Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthuium Inclusum)

yellow sac spider
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Small and unpredictable, the yellow sac spider is found in America and is not to be underestimated. Its bite can cause necrotic skin lesions, and it actively hunts at night.

9. Wolf Spider (Hogna Lenta)

wolf spider
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Located in the United States, the wolf spider has an intimidating appearance, with a bulbous body and long legs. With excellent night vision and athletic behaviors, the wolf spider lives in a self-made tunnel and chases its prey the way a wolf might.

Wolf spider bites can inflict great pain on humans, and they enjoy living in backyard environments.

10. Brown Widow Spider (Lactrodectus Geometricus)

brown widow spider
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The brown widow spider is a local of Los Angeles and San Diego in the United States. It can reproduce thousands of eggs in its lifetime.

While a brown widow bite causes pain and discomfort, their relative proximity to humans makes them a regular danger to watch for.

11. Black Widow Spider (Lactrodectus Hesperus)

black widow spider
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A poisonous but not intentionally aggressive arachnid, the black widow spider is famous for the female eating the male after mating.

While black widows prefer to keep their distance from humans, their bite can still cause severe pain and nausea.

12. Red Widow Spider (Lactrodectus Bishopi)

red widow spider
Image Credit: ArachnologLucy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Another of the widow siblings, the red widow spider, is perhaps the worst of the lot. Enjoying the sandy dunes in Florida, the red widow inflicts much pain and swelling with its bite.

Thankfully, they prefer to steer very clear of humans and rarely make contact.

13. Redback Spider (Lactrodectus Hasselti)

redback spider
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Referred to as the Australian Black Widow, the redback spider is a small but well-known critter in Australian suburbia. The red stripe on the abdomen highlights the species, and it is responsible for most reported spider bites in the country.

Venom can cause pain, nausea, and, in some circumstances, reactions severe enough to warrant an antivenom.

14. Sydney Funnel-Web Spider (Atrax Robustus)

sydney funnel web spider
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As the name suggests, the Sydney funnel-web spider prefers to inhabit moisture-thick areas near Sydney, Australia. Known for causing death before the introduction of antivenom, this dangerous spider’s venom can attack a human’s nervous system.

A hospital visit is required if a human is bitten, but thankfully, the funnel-web prefers to live outdoors, in a relatively quiet place away from human clamor.

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Education writer at Facts Institute | Website

Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.