List of the Top 9 Most Venomous Spiders in the World

If you ask the spider web, “Is spider dangerous to humans?” they might answer that most spiders are harmless to humans and play a crucial role in controlling insect populations.

However, there are several types of spiders that can deliver toxic bites that may require medical care if they are injured.

You are watching: List of the Top 9 Most Venomous Spiders in the World

Did you know that the Goliath Birdeater (Theraphosa Blondi) found in the South American rainforest is one of the largest spiders in the world? It has a maximum leg span of 11-12 inches (about the size of a meal plate) and weighs more than 6 ounces.

This is about the size, but now let’s get to know the real thing: Venom. Do you know which one is the deadliest spider in the world? If not, then you have landed in the right position.

In this article, we will cover the top 9 of the world’s most toxic spiders, whose small mouth can be deadly to humans.

List of the most toxic spiders in the world

The following list of spiders is recognized for their effective venom and potential dangers to humans, with its aggressiveness and symptoms associated with bites.

Spider name	scientific name	Where to find	Height/weight	Additional Information
Sydney Funnel – Weber Spider	Atrax Robustus	Australia	~1-2 inches long	Efficient venom; male venom is 4-6 times stronger than female. Anti-venom available since 1981.
Brazilian wandering spider	Phoneutria spp.	South America	~1.5–2 inches long	Guinness World Record holders, most toxic spiders; neurotoxic venom; active defensive posture.
Black Widow Spider	Latrodectus spp.	worldwide	~0.5–1 inch long	See more : (Updated) IPL 2025 Points Table: Team Ranking, Standings and Net Run Rate Venom is 15 times stronger than rattlesnakes; it can cause muscle pain and difficulty breathing.
Red belt spider	Latrodectus hasselti	Australia	~0.4 inches long	Similar to Black Widow; Venom causes severe pain and systemic symptoms.
Brown Reclusive Spider	Loxsceles seclusa	USA	~0.3–0.7 inches long	Venom can cause necrosis and systemic symptoms; bites are rarely fatal.
Chilean Reclusive Spider	Lockscores Leta	South America	~0.3–0.7 inches long	Severe necrosis and systemic effects; bites can take months to heal.
Sikarius spider	Sicarius spp.	South America, Africa	~0.6–2 inches long	Venom that destroys tissue; ambush predators who bury themselves in sand or soil.
Mouse spider	Missulena spp.	Australia	~0.4–1 inch long	See more : Optical Illusion: If you have Eagle Eyes Find the number 191 among 101 in 8 Seconds? Not as good as funnel – web spiders are aggressive; venom can cause headaches and numbness.
Wolf spider	Lycosa tarantula	Southern Europe	~1–2 inches long	Rarely bite people; venom can cause irritation, but it is not dangerous.

Source: Discovery of wild animals and plants

1) Sydney funnel – Weber Spider (Atrax Robustus)

Source: On-site Science

• Location: Eastern Australia, especially near Sydney.
• Venom: Contains powerful neurotoxins that can cause severe symptoms such as muscle cramps, dyspnea and cardiac arrest. Venom has different efficacy, and male spiders are much more than female spiders.
• Deaths: Historically 13 confirmed human deaths resulted in the effective anti-venom deaths in the 1980s. Since then, no death has been reported due to timely medical intervention.
• Behavior: Highly aggressive when threatened and multiple bites. They live in humid environments such as forests and city gardens.

2) Brazilian wandering spider (Phoneutria spp.)

Source: Guardian

• Location: Central and South America, often found in banana plantations.
• Venom: Neurotoxicity affects the nervous system and causes symptoms such as saliva, irregular heartbeat, and severe pain.
• Death: Bites can be severe, especially in children, but only a small number of them require antivenom treatment. Spiders are known for their aggressive behavior.
• Behavior: These spiders are often found hidden in dark, wet places, known for their ability to provide painful bites without injecting full venom loads.

3) Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)

Source: National Geographic Children

• Location: Discovered globally, especially in North America.
• Venom: Contains a neurotoxin that can cause severe pain, muscle cramps, nausea and mild paralysis, making breathing difficult.
• Death: Due to effective medical care, death is rare; bites are even more dangerous for children and the elderly.
• Behavior: Usually non-aggressive, they prefer to hide in dark corners and are known for their unique red hourglass markings.

4) Red belt spider (Latrodectus hasselti)

Source: Factory and Food Research

• Location: Australia, especially in urban areas.
• Venom: Similar to Black Widow, it contains neurotoxins that can cause severe pain, muscle weakness, nausea and respiratory failure.
• Death: Due to the slight availability of anti-venom; only one death has been reported since the development of anti-venom.
• Behavior: Usually bites when disturbed; spiders can be identified by unique red stripes on their back.

5) Brown Reclusive Spider (Loxsceles seclusa)

Source: Zocalo Public Plaza

• Location: Central and Southern United States.
• Venom: Cytotoxicity, causing necrosis (tissue death) at the bite site. Symptoms may include severe pain and the development of large skin ulcers.
• Death: Rare, but bite complications can cause serious health problems such as gangrene.
• Behavior: Usually non-aggressive, only biting when provoked or trapped. They prefer dark, secluded areas such as lofts and basements.

6) Chilean Reclusive Spider (Loxsceles laeta)

Source: inherentist

• Location: South America, especially Chile, but it has been reported in parts of the United States.
• Physical characteristics: Small and medium-sized spiders, usually 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Its head mask has a unique violin-shaped mark.
• Venom: Contains cytotoxins that can cause severe necrosis at the bite site. Symptoms can range from mild irritation to severe skin damage and systemic reactions.
• Impact on humans: Bites can lead to major tissue necrosis and in rare cases death. The CDC reports that about 3-4% of bites can cause serious complications. The wound can take several months to heal and often scars.
• Behavior: Usually reclusive, prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as lofts and basements. They are not aggressive and usually only bite when provocative.

7) Six-eyed Sand Spider (Sicarius spp.)

Source: YouTube

• Location: Mainly in desert and arid areas of southern Africa, including Namibia.
• Physical features: Medium size, body length 8 to 15 mm. It has six pairs of eyes divided into three pairs, and a flat body helps with camouflage.
• Venom: Highly effective and is thought to cause bleeding, blood clotting and severe tissue damage. Its venom is considered more destructive than a reclusive spider.
• Impact on humans: There are few confirmed bites in humans, but venom is believed to cause severe necrotic lesions. No antitoxin is available and bites can lead to serious health complications.
• Behavior: Mainly ambushing predators, who bury themselves on the beach and wait for prey to approach. They are elusive and rarely encountered by humans.

8) Mouse spider (Missulena spp.)

Source: Australian Geography

• Location: Found in mainland Australia, there is a (M. tussulena) in Chile.
• Body Characteristics: Body length ranges from 10 mm to 35 mm; black black spider with spherical head and chin; abdomen is uniformly black, dark blue or black with light gray/white patches. Women are larger and richer in accumulations, while males may have bright red or orange jaws. The spinning wire is short and button-like; the carapace is smooth and shiny.
• Venom: Contains highly toxic venom, which may be as dangerous as the Sydney funnel spider’s danger; male venom affects the release of presynaptic launchers, similar to funnel spider venom. Funnel-Web spider antivenom is effective for mouse spider bites.
• Impact on humans: Bites are painful, but rarely dangerous; severe fusion is uncommon. Symptoms may be similar to those caused by a funnel spider bite; a similar regimen should be followed in the initial treatment.
• Behavior: Living in a silk cave with a trap; the cave may be as deep as 55 cm. Women stay in the cave, while men wander in search of a partner. Positive posture when threatened, lift the hind legs; prey on insects and small animals; major predators include wasps and cents.

9) Wolf Spider Wolf Spider (Lycosa tarantula)

Source: Moyustore

• Location: Locations found in Southern Europe, especially in Mediterranean regions such as Italy and France.
• Physical features: One of the largest wolf spiders, with a body of up to 30 mm; brown or gray pigment with unique camouflage marks; building caves up to 40 cm deep, usually with turrets made of debris and silk.
• Venom: Contains small neurotoxins and proteins rich in disulfide bonds, such as hyaluronidase and cysteine-rich secreted proteins; the composition of the venom varies between men and women. It is mainly used for prey rather than defense.
• Impact on humans: Bites are not highly dangerous; venom causes mild irritation or local pain; historically, it has been associated with “freaks”, although this may be due to misidentification of the Black Widow’s bite.
• Behavior: Ambush predators do not build websites, but rely on venom to capture prey; live in caves, lined with silk; use turret structures to hunt for efficiency; unless triggered

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion