Are you one of the millions of Brits who have noticed a spider invasion in their house? An eight-legged visitor is scary, but some of these big beasts are downright terrifying. What are the biggest spiders in the world?
What unwanted leggy visitor to your home has you running for the hoover, a broom or a glass?
That’s right, it’s spider season in the UK.
At this time of year, we tend to see more spiders in our houses because the seasons are turning, and it is their mating season.
Female spiders tend to stay indoors, so at this time the males head in to follow them.
There are more than 650 species of spider in the UK, but very few of them are actually dangerous to humans.
However, in different parts of the world, spiders can grow to whopping sizes with the world’s largest spanning more than 30cm.
If you suffer from arachnophobia, look away now. These are five of the biggest spiders in the world
READ MORE: Spider season: Expert warns of huge creepy crawlies in UK
The Colombian giant tarantula
Growing up to eight inches in size, this big fluffy tarantula grows up to eight inches in size.
Like most tarantulas, its appearance is worse than its bite.
However, the Colombian giant tarantula has a unique weapon in the form of spiked rear legs that they can spin out when provoked.
The Brazilian wandering spider
Another South American spider, at six inches across this spider is not the biggest but is perhaps the most terrifying.
Also known as the banana spider, or Phoneutria fera, this spider is an eight-legged package of aggression, and it’s bite can be fatal.
The Brazilian wandering spider is incredibly venomous and can kill humans.
For men, after a bite from this spider they will endure a painful erection while dying – unless of course, they can get their hands on some antivenom.
So, the next time you grab a glass or the hoover to remove a spider, just be thankful they’re comparatively small!