Nature is truly remarkable. There's so much diversity, which is beautiful, but also slightly terrifying.
There are common animals that most of us can agree are stunning, like dolphins, dogs, cats, elephants, and the list goes on.
But the last thing you want to be aware of is how many kinds of ants, termites, and spiders exist in the world.
If you have arachnophobia, you can't imagine the sight of itty bitty spiders, let alone the ones that are bigger than average.
If you thought pet tarantulas are scary, you've seen nothing yet.
The Goliath Birdeater
There's a massive species of spider that has a leg span of up to 11 inches and a body about the size of an adult's fist.
It's basically the size of a newborn puppy, and it's called the Goliath birdeater.
The only thing true about this gigantic spider's name is the goliath part. This species doesn't usually eat birds, since it hunts on the ground, so it feeds on earthworms, insects, and small rodents instead.
The Goliath birdeater calls the rainforests of South America home, so you don't have to worry about getting in contact with one.
They are classified as a kind of tarantula, but they're not the type people keep as pets in their home, and probably for good reasons.
The Goliath is seriously big, and when they feel threatened by humans, they'll start hissing by rubbing their hairy legs together. This sound can travel up to 15 feet away!
Now, if you come in close contact with one, the Goliath will release their hairs into the air, which can be very irritating if it touches your skin.
That being said, while these tarantulas are venomous, they're considered to be quite harmless to humans.
They love to be left alone, which is honestly the best news you'll hear all day because you don't want them close to you anyway.
Here are three more spiders that are HUGE!
As of now, the Goliath birdeater is considered the biggest spider in the world, but these five other big spiders will also make you feel uneasy.
1. The Huntsman Spider
This spider is super fast and has longer legs than the Goliath!
The Huntsman is sometimes called the wood spider because it lives under loose bark on trees or in logs.
2. The Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater
Again, this spider does not eat birds, but it does have massive legs that reach up to 10 inches!
The Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater has pinkish hairs that shoot at its prey to stop them dead in their tracks.
3. Poecilotheria rajaei
This hairy spider has a leg span of 8 inches, and roams inside the homes and trees of Sri Lanka.
[H/T: IFLSCIENCE]
