Our largest and smallest native spiders
The largest native spider in New Zealand is a cave-dwelling spider, Spelungula cavernicola, known only from the Golden Bay and Buller area.
- It has a leg span of 130 mm and a body length of 24 mm.
The largest spider in the world is the goliath or bird-eating tarantula, Theraphosa blondi.
- It has a leg span of 250 mm and a body length of 90 mm.
The smallest spider in New Zealand belongs to the family Mysmenidae and has yet to be given an official scientific name.
- Adults have a body length of less than 0.5 mm.
The smallest spider in the world is a web-building spider, Patu marplesi, from Samoa, belonging to the family Symphytognathidae.
- Adults have a body length of 0.43 mm.
