The Top 10 Biggest Spiders Crawling Around the United States

Written by Lev Baker
Updated: October 10, 2023
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Spiders can be a common fear among people. Fortunately, the majority of spiders in the United States are not as colossal as those inhabiting Australia or South America. However, some still reach sizes that are more than capable of causing your skin to crawl.

From the common household spider to the more exotic tarantula, these eight-legged arachnids can grow to impressive sizes and possess features that are enough to make even the bravest of people shudder with fear. So, let’s delve into the world of the biggest spiders crawling around the United States and see how they measure up!

10. Six-Spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton) – Up To 2.4 Inches

Fishing spider

These diurnal spiders hunt during the daytime, remaining motionless for extended periods until prey comes into sight.

©Jason Patrick Ross/Shutterstock.com

The six-spotted fishing spider is a member of the nursery web spider family, known for its impressive size and distinct markings. With a body color ranging from brown to gray, this spider possesses eight eyes with exceptional vision and is identifiable by the white to pale cream stripe on either side of its cephalothorax. The female six-spotted fishing spider can reach a length of up to 2.4 inches, including its legs.

These diurnal spiders hunt during the daytime, remaining motionless for extended periods until prey comes into sight. Their diet includes both aquatic and terrestrial insects. 

Preferring wetland habitats such as shores, lakes, slow-moving streams, and ponds, these semi-aquatic spiders do not spin webs to capture prey. Instead, the female six-spotted fishing spider uses its silk to create a nursery web for her offspring. They can also float and run on the water’s surface like water striders and even submerge themselves underwater for up to an hour to avoid predators.

Six-spotted fishing spiders are a prevalent species across different regions of the United States. Their distribution range encompasses several areas, from East Texas and the coastal New England states to Florida and along the Atlantic coastline, reaching as far west as North Dakota.

9. Giant House Spider (Eratigena atrica) – Up To 2.9 Inches

Close up image of a giant house spider (Eratigena atrica) in raindrops on glass.

They build webs with a funnel-shaped opening in the center, where they wait for their prey.

©iStock.com/Kelly McCutcheon

The giant house spider is a swift invertebrate that can travel up to 1.5 feet per second. This is quite a big spider, with males measuring up to 2.9 inches in length. Unlike most spider species, males are larger than females. These spiders typically have a coloration of dark orange, brown or beige.

Giant house spiders hunt other arthropods and are most active at night. They build webs with a funnel-shaped opening in the center, where they wait for their prey. They tend to reside in garages, basements, gaps between bricks or stones, and even outdoors in firewood. During the fall months, males become more prevalent as they seek out females to mate with.

When a male giant house spider finds a mate, he stays with her for several weeks, engaging in multiple mating sessions before ultimately dying and being consumed by the female. Despite their reputation, giant house spiders are not aggressive and tend to flee if startled. If they do happen to bite, their venom is not harmful to humans.

Although giant house spiders prefer warm climates, they are distributed widely across the United States.

8. Dark Fishing Spider (Dolomedes tenebrosus) – Up To 3 Inches

dark fishing spider

As their name suggests, fishing spiders are known to prey on small fish and aquatic

insects

.

©iStock.com/JasonOndreicka

The dark fishing spider is a notable arachnid due to its size, often causing alarm among those who encounter it. Its body is a combination of light and dark grey and light brown, and its legs are adorned with long spines and dark brown and black rings. The abdomen of the spider bears three conspicuous W-shaped marks in black color. 

When fully extended, the females of these spiders can measure over 3 inches in length, while the males are approximately half the size.

As their name suggests, fishing spiders are known to prey on small fish and aquatic insects. They detect their prey by sensing the vibrations produced by movements on the surface of the water. Although they typically reside near water, they can also be found in woodlands, residing on trees, and sometimes even accessing basements. Fishing spiders are mostly nocturnal, choosing to sit quietly on a vertical surface during the day.

While these spiders may bite if handled, they are not aggressive toward humans. From southern Canada to Florida and westward to Texas and the Dakotas, this species of spider is prevalent. They can be observed throughout late spring and summer as adults. 

7. Arizona Blonde Tarantula (Aphonopelma chalcodes) – Up To 4 Inches

Arizona Blonde Tarantula

To deter predators, the Arizona blond tarantula has irritating hairs on its body.

©bloomphoto/Shutterstock.com

The Arizona blonde desert tarantula is a popular pet among spider enthusiasts, known for its adorable and fuzzy appearance. This spider species, measuring between 3 to 4 inches, is commonly spotted in the southwestern deserts during the summer rainy season. Female individuals have a uniform tan color, while males possess black legs, a reddish abdomen, and a copper-colored cephalothorax.

Referred to as the desert blonde tarantula, this species is nocturnal and feeds on a diet primarily consisting of grasshoppers, beetles, other small spiders, and even small lizards. They typically inhabit saguaro-dominated plant areas and share similarities with other spider species in the desert.

To deter predators, the Arizona blond tarantula has irritating hairs on its body, and as a last line of defense, it will use its fangs to issue a defensive bite, which is comparable to a bee or mosquito bite and poses no danger to humans. These spiders are solitary creatures, occupying one burrow each, and are active during the night while spending their days underground.

The Arizona blonde desert tarantula has a limited distribution in the deserts of Arizona and neighboring areas of Mexico but can be commonly found within its range.

6. Oklahoma Brown Tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) – Up To 5 Inches

This tarantula features a diverse range of brown and tan colors on its body.

©iStock.com/irin717

The Oklahoma brown tarantula is known by a few names, including the Missouri tarantula and the Texas brown tarantula. This tarantula features a diverse range of brown and tan colors on its body. The legs, carapace, and abdomen all have different shades of the same color. The tarantula’s primary defense mechanism against predators is its fine brown hair.

Once mature, the Oklahoma brown tarantula can weigh between 1 to 3 ounces and boasts a leg span of 4 to 5 inches. This species constructs burrows coated in webs to capture grasshoppers, crickets, and other similar insects as prey, with its hunting activities primarily occurring at night. It usually inhabits arid, desert regions but can also thrive in moist forested areas.

When encountering an Oklahoma brown tarantula, be assured that it is likely more terrified of you than you are of it. This furry tarantula is also a resident of other states such as Kansas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

5. Rose Haired Tarantula (Grammostola rosea) – Up To 5 Inches

Chilean Rose Tarantula

These spiders are active predators that prey on various invertebrates.

©iStock.com/Svetlana Makarova

The Chilean rose tarantula, also known as the rose hair tarantula, is a popularly available species of tarantula in pet stores throughout America. These spiders are usually caught in the wild or bred and sold at affordable prices. They have primarily brown or black bodies with a hard-shell upper body covered in rose-colored hair. Tarantulas possess fangs that fold under their body, and they attack their prey from above.

Females can have a length of up to 5 inches, while males have proportionally longer legs but are smaller in size.

These spiders are active predators that prey on various invertebrates. Their diet also contains vertebrates like mice, frogs, and lizards. Their hunting activities take place at night, and their size helps them to subdue their prey. To protect themselves, tarantulas can release irritating hairs from their body.

Although not found in the wild in the United States, Chilean rose-haired tarantulas are common household pets across the country.

4. Rio Grande Gold Tarantula (Aphonopelma moderatum) – Up To 5 Inches

Aphonopelma Moderatum

The lifespan of male Rio Grande gold tarantulas is approximately 7 years, whereas females can live an impressive 22 to 40 years.

©Chris A. Hamilton, Brent E. Hendrixson, Jason E. Bond/ CC BY 4.0 – License

Another huge tarantula is the Rio Grande gold tarantula, known for its stunning appearance. Females exhibit tan to orange coloration with dark legs, whereas males have a solid black or dark brown appearance. Notably, both sexes have bristles on their abdomen, and adult specimens can grow to be 4.5 to 5 inches in size.

The lifespan of male Rio Grande gold tarantulas is approximately 7 years, whereas females can live an impressive 22 to 40 years. Their diet includes cockroaches, crickets, and mealworms. Some say these spiders can even catch a small mouse.

The Rio Grande gold tarantula prefers to inhabit a specific environment along the southern border of Texas, near the Rio Grande. Despite the harsh and dry conditions on the surface due to gravelly soil atop limestone, the area is surprisingly moist beneath the surface due to cracks, crevices, and catacombs.

Due to their passive nature, Rio Grande gold tarantulas are often kept as pets. This species is highly valued among tarantula breeders due to its limited range in Texas. The qualities and beauty of this tarantula make it a perfect pet for spider lovers.

3. Golden Orb Weaver (Nephila) – Up To 6 Inches

The golden silk

orb weaver

builds a web that measures nearly 5 feet in diameter

©Max Rossa/Shutterstock.com

Near the top of the list is the golden silk orb weaver, or golden orb weaver. These spiders belong to the genus of araneomorph spiders renowned for their intricate webs. Spiders in this genus exhibit a range of colors, from reddish to greenish-yellow. They are characterized by their white cephalothorax and the beginning of the abdomen. In addition, their legs are striped, which is a common adaptation among species in the Araneoidea superfamily that specialize in weaving. 

The stark contrast between their green/yellow and dark brown/black coloration is a warning signal to potential predators, informing them of the spiders’ venomous nature.

Females of certain species can reach lengths of 2 to 6 inches, whereas males are smaller, measuring between 0.5 and 2 inches. Golden orb weavers consume any prey that becomes ensnared in their webs, including mosquitoes, bees, small moths and butterflies, and even grasshoppers. These spiders are typically found in dry open forests and woodlands, as well as coastal dune shrubland.

Golden orb weavers are most commonly found in the southern states.

2. Texas Tan Tarantula (Aphonopelma anax) – Up To 6 Inches

texas brown tarantula

At full maturity, the Texas tan tarantula can have a leg span of up to 5 inches, sometimes even reaching 6 inches.

©texas brown tarantula/Shutterstock.com

One of the biggest tarantulas in the United States, the Texas tan tarantula, is native to Texas, as evidenced by its name. Females of this species have a tan body color, but their legs and abdomen are darker than the rest of their bodies. In contrast, males have a consistent coloration throughout. The two genders exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females being more robust and males having longer legs.

At full maturity, the Texas tan tarantula can have a leg span of up to 5 inches. They sometimes even reach 6 inches. Their primary diet consists of insects, although they can also eat small lizards and mice. They do not require frequent feeding and can go weeks without food. When they do eat, they do so aggressively, catching their prey with their front pedipalps and wrapping it with webbing.

The Texas tan tarantula does not build a typical web like most spiders. Instead, it resides within a silk-lined burrow. While it is capable of creating its burrows, it may also modify pre-existing burrows or other suitable habitats. This species is only found in southeastern Texas, where it inhabits grasslands and shrub forests in a semi-arid climate. 

1. Johnny Cash Tarantula (Aphonopelma johnnycashi) – Up To 6 Inches

Johnny Cash Tarantula

The entire body of this tarantula is covered in urticating bristles, which is common among other members of its genus.

©Chris A. Hamilton, Brent E. Hendrixson, Jason E. Bond / CC BY 4.0

The large Johnny Cash tarantula, belonging to the Aphonopelma genus, is one of the largest spider species found in the United States. This giant tarantula can reach up to 6 inches in length. Males of this species are black, while females are dark brown. The entire body of this tarantula is covered in urticating bristles, which is common among other members of its genus.

Male Johnny Cash tarantulas have a relatively short lifespan of around 5 years. Females can live for up to 20 years. They mainly feed on insects such as cockroaches and crickets, which they catch as ambush predators. Unlike many other spider species, Johnny Cash tarantulas do not construct webs to trap their prey. They are considered harmless to humans as their venom only causes mild irritation.

The Aphonopelma johnnycashi is found in various regions of California. These areas include the Coastal Mountains and Central California Foothills, the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the Central California Valley.

Honorable Mentions: Other Large Spiders in the U.S.

Adult Female Wolf Spider of the Family Lycosidae

Wolf spiders are among the largest spiders in the United States.

©Vinicius R. Souza/Shutterstock.com

While these spiders didn’t make our top 10, they are worth mentioning due to their size. More of the biggest spiders in the United States include:

  • Golden Hunstman Spider (Olios giganteus) Huntsman spiders are among the largest in the world, but the ones in the U.S., mainly Florida, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina, are not as large. Their bodies can grow to about an inch long, while their leg spans can reach 3-5 inches.
  • Wolf Spider (Lycosidae family) There are multiple species of wolf spiders spread throughout the U.S. Their bites are not generally harmful to humans, but their size can evoke a scream, as they can grow up to 4 inches. The largest wolf spider ever was a Giant Carolina Wolf Spider.
  • California Trapdoor Spider (Bothriocyrtum californicum) California trapdoor spiders are a shiny black color, have round, thick bodies, and dark brown underbellies. They measure 2-3 inches and are often kept as exotic pets. As its name implies, it inhabits cliffs and hillsides in southern California.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/JK21


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About the Author

Lev is a writer at AZ Animals who primarily covers topics on animals, geography, and plants. He has been writing for more than 4 years and loves researching topics and learning new things. His three biggest loves in the world are music, travel, and animals. He has his diving license and loves sea creatures. His favorite animal in the world is the manta ray.

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