The Australian funnel-web spiders (family Atracidae), such as the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus (a mygalomorph spider, not to be confused with the araneomorph funnel-weaver or grass spiders) are regarded as among the most venomous in the world.
Funnel-web spiders top the list of deadliest spiders, if only for their storied venom. Native to Australia, these spiders boast venom that's so potent their bite can kill within minutes. "The deadliest is probably the funnel-web spider and its relatives.
The Recluse is not quite as deadly as the Black Widow, a bite from a Brown Recluse can cause severe illness and in rare cases death in the young and elderly, or those who are sensitive to the venom.
The best known of these is the Sydney funnel web spider, Atrax robustus. The male of this species (in the picture on the left) is Australia's most dangerous spider, and is capable of causing death in as little as 15 minutes. The Sydney funnel web is a large, black aggressive spider with large powerful fangs.
For example, trapdoor spiders have a lifespan between 5 to 20 years, but the longest living spider ever recorded was a female trapdoor spider, named Number 16, who lived an estimated 43 years!
Funnel-web spider bites can be life threatening, especially in children. They must be treated quickly with antivenin by an experienced provider. Even with appropriate and quick treatment, symptoms may last for several days to weeks.
The good news, however, is that of these, only 25 species are known to have killed or caused serious harm to humans. But which spider is the deadliest? "The deadliest is probably the funnel-web spider and its relatives.
Brown Widow Spider
The venom of a brown widow, Latrodectus geometricus, while seldom life-threatening, produces very painful effects including muscle spasms, 'tetanus-like' contractions, and, in some cases, spinal or cerebral paralysis.
This metallic blue tarantula is the most beautiful spider in the world – and it's also one of the world's rarest. The pelages of many tarantulas sparkle iridescent blue when viewed in the right light, but none come close to this beauty.
The blue-ringed octopodes (Hapalochlaena spp.) produce tetrodotoxin, which is extremely toxic to even the healthiest adult humans, though the number of actual fatalities they have caused is far lower than the number caused by spiders and snakes, with which human contact is more common.
Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi)
The largest spider in the world and the first on our list is the impressively named Goliath birdeater. Hailing from the rainforests of northern South America this is the largest spider by body mass (up to 175g) and by body length (13cm).
Wolf spiders are not aggressive and will not bite unless frightened or provoked. Although their bite is not deadly, it can be very painful. Wolf spiders typically only bite humans if they are handled or touched. They usually avoid humans and run away when people are nearby.
Selecting the Right Pet Spider for You
The best beginner spider would be a tarantula such as the Chilean rose, Mexican Redleg, or Costa Rican Zebra. These species aren't terribly venomous and are pretty docile when compared with some other tarantulas (their venom is comparable to bee venom).
A wolf spider bite may look like a bug bite. You may notice a red bump and swelling in the bite area. In addition, a wolf spider may puncture your skin and leave fang-like marks. Other wolf spider bite symptoms may include pain and itching.
One of these bad decisions is trying to physically hit or squish a brown recluse. Doing so puts you in close proximity to the spider and makes it feel threatened. This is a combination that significantly increases your chances of getting bit.
Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)
The black widow is responsible for more than 2,500 visits to poison control centers every year in the U.S. It is one species that can be found from the United States and parts of Canada through Latin America and the West Indies.
Some experts argue that, since all spiders are venomous (though UK ones are not dangerously so), way back in evolutionary time, our ancestors would have been afraid of them and this fear has been passed down through generations.
There will usually not be “fang marks” unless caused by a larger species with more prominent fangs. “Fang marks” have been known to be visible from a Black Widow bite. A Brown Recluse bite is sometimes known to be “necrotic” which means it causes rotting of the flesh around the area.
Thanks to the hard work of the Australian Reptile Park and their funnel-web spider venom program, Ollie survived the bite and lives to tell the terrifying tale.
Contrary to a commonly held belief, Australian funnel-web spiders are not able to jump, although they can run quickly. While some very venomous spiders do not always inject venom when they bite, these spiders most often do.