Sydney Funnel Web (Photo Credited To Wikipedia Commons User en:User:Tirin

5. Camel Spider The camel spider makes this list largely due to legend. Soldiers returning from Iraq have talked about finding spiders that are the size of a housecat. The truth is, the camel spider is not a spider at all. They are large, and they are scary looking. Most people think of them as spiders, so they make the list based on that alone.

4. Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula This spider is the biggest in the world. Goliath bird eaters can grow to the size of dinner plates, and they are known for that size. The truth is, the spider is scary to watch and look at. They are true miracles of the spider world.

3. Brown Recluse The brown recluse is famous and scary for one reason – their bite. When a brown recluse bites, their venom is necrotic. That is, the venom will begin to cause the skin and tissue to die in and around the wound. Horrific spider bites, amputations, and other dangerous outcomes for brown recluse bites have led to their inclusion on this list.

2. Black WidowThe black widow is the very definition of what a scary spider looks like. The signature hourglass on their abdomens is one of the iconic symbols of the spider world. This spider actually has a few different versions in the family, which include the southern and northern black widows, the brown widow, and the red widow. They all are creepy to most people but are actually quite shy and avoid biting when possible.

1. Sydney Funnel Web Spider Now this is one spider that has a very nasty disposition and the package to do some real damage. A Sydney funnel web spider can kill a healthy man without proper medical intervention, but what really scares people is the attitude of this spider. They are highly aggressive and will readily attack and bite you if you come near. The venom is among the most dangerous in the insect and spider world, and they have large fangs to deliver it with. The Sydney funnel web spider is my choice as the scariest spider in the world. How about you?

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Eight Legged Freaks – Giant spiders that take over the world is not a new concept. It has been done before. The thing about Eight Legged Freaks, however, is that they got species specific here. Trapdoor spiders, tarantulas, black widows, and even the popular jumping spider all made the cinematic cut. Granted they were all extra large and extra juiced up – still they scared people half to death. The first time you see the trap door spider flash from under the ground and drag someone under you will jump. I assure you.

Arachnaphobia – This movie was actually one that surprised me. The movie was much better than I figured it would be. Made quite a few years back, this movie does a great job of giving you the willies. The spiders are largely realistic, and there are a number of scenes where they crawl where they should not. Note the shower scene where the spider explores a girls cleavage. Not a very comfortable scene at all but deliciously spooky!

And then there are the movies that just use the real tarantula largely. Two of the best among these are the old classics Tarantulas – Deadly Cargo and Kingdom of the Spiders. These old flicks depended on the real deal to get there scares across. Tarantulas are genuinely creepy and perfect for a spider movie. They are largely docile spiders that will not usually bite unless they are threatened. This means that you can realistically use them in movies without much risk. Put a tarantula crawling up someone’s leg or arm and you have a great start to a spider movie.

I do believe that spider movies are far from worn out. The genre is need of a brand new movie, and I hope that someone puts one out soon. They are just too fun to leave on the cutting room floor. What was your favorite spider movie of all time?

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Cuban Tarantula

Uticating hair is not something that you ever want to get in  your eyes or nasal cavity.  Tarantulas are known for having uticating hairs that they will flick into their enemies face.  These hairs are highly irritating, and certainly more than effective.  Many people worry about the tarantulas venom, and the uticating hairs are actually the bigger threat.  Uticating hairs are a much more likely reaction from a tarantula than a bite.

Tarantula hairs have a long and storied history.  Oddly, these hairs were used in products ranging from itching powders to national defense.  These hairs were used as a weapon against soldiers by smuggling them into the enemies laundry and rations.

Uticating hairs irritate the nasal membranes and cause massive problems.  They have been said to be so strong that they can cause temporary blindness if they get in your eyes.  These hairs are flung from the tarantula with incredible accuracy.

Not all tarantulas have this defensive weapon, but the majority do.  For this reason, one should always wash their hands very well after handling a tarantula.  Also, an irritated tarantula will certainly throw uticating hairs at a human.  Keep this in mind if you ever decide to play around with one.  Not only can they give a nasty bite, but they just might shoot you with these itchy, irritating hairs.

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The Tarantula!

Just the name used to send shudders through my entire body.  Tarantula….Something about the way the letters are formed seems to perfectly describe this hairy arachnid.  As a boy, a tarantula was an orange and black patterned monster that grew to be the size of my face.

(Okay, so we are talking about the Mexican red leg tarantula and it gets about the size of my palm.  Give me a break… I was seven)

So anyway, this platter sized spider was living in every corner of my bedroom.  I would see them crawling up and down my Spiderman curtains.  Every giant Superman Logo on my blanket was actually a tarantula bent on eating me.

We had shag carpet back then, and it just happened to be orange and black in my bedroom.  It was hairy.  It felt like tartantulas all over my floor.

More than anything, my irrational fear of these tarantulas stemmed from watching the made for television classic, “Tarantulas” back in the late 70s I beleive.  Whatever the case, they were everywhere in my bedroom as a kid.

That fear led to wonder.  The wonder led to curiosity.  Now, in my adult years, that fear has led to fascination.  I love to watch this incredible creatures.  I love to learn about spiders and tarantulas in particular.  They still give me the willies, mind you…

I do not wish to have a tarantula in my bed.  I knew there was a great reason to get rid of those Superman bed sheets.

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