How Much Do Spiders Weigh?
WouterSpiders weigh different amounts. The smallest spiders are around one milligram, and the largest ones can weigh as much as one hundred and seventy five grams. Species are different in their weight, and the size of a spider also depends on the type of spider it is. Some spiders are light and are harmless, while others are large and can carry deadly venom.
The largest spiders are the Goliath bird-eater and the Giant Huntsman spider. They are the world’s largest spiders in diameter, and are rarely found by humans. Their leg span is up to 12 inches, and they are often described as the size of a dinner plate. A bite from a Giant Huntsman is painful and sometimes fatal.
A 200 pound human would need to eat about 20 pounds of meat and fish each day to satisfy his body’s needs. It is estimated that 400 million tons of meat and fish are consumed by humans each year. That is the equivalent of 478 Titanics.
In addition to eating insects, spiders also eat bats, frogs, snakes, and other animals. Depending on the spider’s species and subspecies, they may eat as much as 10% of their body weight each day.
Most spiders are small, but some larger species snack on birds and lizards. The Giant Huntsman spider, for example, can be as long as twelve inches, but it only weighs about an ounce.
A large spider’s heft is a huge factor in its ability to withstand a high-height attack. For instance, the Giant Huntsman spider can kill an adult in two hours, but it can take up to nine kilograms of meat to satisfy an obese human.
