Spiders
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PC3gjSBke8Bgdar9kggvCn-433-80.jpg)
Learn more about these fascinating arthropods as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about spiders.
Latest about Spiders
![A spider infected with zombie-spider fungus (Gibellula attenboroughii) on the ceiling of a cave.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wiYKDhyV7b92cUqEw7J4NL-320-80.jpg)
'Zombie' spiders infected by never-before-seen fungus discovered on grounds of destroyed Irish castle
By Patrick Pester published
A new fungus that infects cave spiders and turns them into "zombies" was discovered in a Victorian gunpowder store at Castle Espie in Northern Ireland during filming for a TV show.
![Newcastle Funnel-web Spider (Atrax christenseni) male.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gWkie4PpPKyMpCfUjVyRV4-320-80.jpg)
'Big boy' spider becomes Australia's largest deadly funnel-web after surprise discovery
By Olivia Ferrari published
The Sydney funnel-web spider has extremely dangerous venom, but according to a new study this spider is actually three different species — one of which, the "Newcastle big boy," is much larger.
![A zoo keeper holding a plastic container with a big male funnel-web spider. To the right is an image of the spider with a silver coin for scale.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LqxyXEgvuyamrqSeCRayo8-320-80.jpg)
Giant funnel-web spider with fangs so big it could bite through a human fingernail arrives at Australian zoo
By Sascha Pare published
Hemsworth, a colossal funnel-web spider recently donated to the Australian Reptile Park, could make significant contributions to the park's life-saving venom-milking program, keepers say.
![A hairy spider.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jsYSJ3rjiy6DBiW9WeYN3i-320-80.jpg)
Hairy giant tarantula: The monster among mini tarantulas with 'feather duster' legs
By Lydia Smith published
The newly discovered tarantula Trichopelma grande has unusually hairy legs for a ground-dwelling species. It's also much bigger than its relatives — and scientists aren't sure why.
![Three images of spiders together.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n3dwq2hyNdETEZodJxanbV-320-80.jpg)
Three remarkable spiders: A vegetarian, a vampire and a predator that uses 'pincer, fork and key'
By Ximena Nelson published
In this extract from "The Lives of Spiders: A Natural History of the World's Spiders," author Ximena Nelson examines three species of spider with unusual diets — plants, blood and pillbugs.
![A large brown spider on its web](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/55TWVom356rRAMQ36U4h9B-320-80.jpg)
Wolf spiders: Behavior, bites and other facts
By Jessie Szalay last updated
REFERENCE Wolf spiders are a large family of hairy and athletic arachnids that chase down prey on the ground rather than catching food in webs.
![a large black tarantula stands over a small frog on orange leaves](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bHtYY2Kro3BSvKb66tZjnN-320-80.png)
We now know why tarantulas are hairy — to stop army ants eating them alive
By Patrick Pester published
Tarantulas' hairy bodies protect against the scavenging, spider-eating army ants that clean their nests, scientists say.
![A close-up photo of a Brazilian wandering spider.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iWJuC3RLTnt77KuVopEWq4-320-80.jpg)
Brazilian wandering spiders: Bites & other facts
By Jessie Szalay last updated
Brazilian wandering spiders don't build webs but crawl on the forest floor at night in search of prey, which they kill with neurotoxic venom.
![A giant huntsman spider crawling over rock.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DZUvGjjLnPfuoUx68cW9XH-320-80.jpg)
Giant huntsman spider: The world's largest spider by leg span
By Jessie Szalay, Ailsa Harvey last updated
Reference Giant huntsman spiders are the largest member of the huntsman spider family Sparassidae with a leg span stretching up to 12 inches across — roughly the size of a dinner plate.
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