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World’s Deadliest Spiders: The Top 10 Most Venomous Arachnids

By: James Cutmore
Originally Published in  
Science Focus
Close-up of a spider showing two fangs, each with a drop of venom
© Getty
Vocabulary

Venom (noun): A poison made by animals like snakes and spiders.

Prey (noun): An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.

Fever (noun): A body temperature that is higher than normal and means you’re sick.

Most spiders are harmless, but a few have bites that can really hurt. Here are the top 10 most venomous spiders in the world.

10. Mouse Spider

Mouse spiders live in burrows. They look scary, but their bite usually just causes a headache or numbness.

9. Wolf Spider (Lycosa Tarantula)

This big spider is found in southern Europe. It’s called a “wolf” spider and is active at night. Its bite isn’t dangerous.

8. Brown Widow

Brown widows have stripey legs and live around the world. Their bite may cause pain and sometimes vomiting.

7. White-Tailed Spider

These spiders like to eat other spiders. They can hide in clothes or shoes and may cause nausea or headaches if they bite.

6. Southern Black Widow

Famous for its red mark, this spider’s bite is painful but rarely deadly. It's more dangerous for children and older adults.

5. Redback Spider

Found in Australia, the redback bites its prey, wraps it in silk, and sucks out its insides! Its bite can hurt and cause nausea.

4. Brown Recluse

These shy spiders are found in North America. Their bite can cause fever, vomiting, and even blood problems.

3. Chilean Recluse

This spider lives in Chile and can cause skin damage and kidney problems. It’s more dangerous than the brown recluse.

2. Brazilian Wandering Spider

This spider can be as long as an adult finger! It hides in bananas and homes. Its bite can make people very sick and even cause them to stop breathing.

1. Australian Funnel-Web Spider

This is the most dangerous spider in the world. It can bite many times and its venom works fast. It can be deadly, especially for kids.

© James Cutmore / Our Media