10 Unsettlingly Huge Invertebrates That Will Haunt Your Dreams

Most of us think of bugs and squishy sea creatures as small, harmless specks of the animal kingdom. But every once in a while, nature says, “But what if I made them huge just for fun?” From ocean-floor creepers to airborne nightmares, these oversized invertebrates will make you question just how safe you are when it’s time for a little swim in the ocean or even while camping.

1. Asian Giant Hornet

Dubbed the “murder hornet,” this chunky nightmare is the size of your thumb and packs a sting that can kill. Not exactly the most welcome guest at your picnic. It’s Japan’s deadliest animal, and you don’t even have to be allergic to be in danger. These hornets destroy bee colonies for fun, and even their buzzing sounds like something out of a horror film.

2. Goliath Bird-Eating Spider

The biggest spider in the world occasionally consumes birds, hence its moniker. It’s not exactly cute, with a 12-inch leg spread and those spider fangs that can penetrate human skin. And when it feels threatened, it will rub its legs together to make a hissing sound. Although its barbed hairs can be extremely irritating, its venom is not lethal to humans, so a lot of people keep them as pets.

@urbantarantulas
The Goliath bird-eating tarantula is a true giant of the spider world, known for their impressive size and leg span of up to 11 inches and weight up to 6 oz. Despite its intimidating appearance and name, they are actually a terrestrial species and cannot climb trees as it can lead to fall and rupture of their abdomen which would ultimately lead to death. Their diet mainly consists of insects, but as their name suggests, they are capable of eating small birds, but only if they have fallen from a tree. These docile creatures are a fascinating addition to the rainforest ecosystem, despite their misleading moniker. #GoliathBirdEater #Tarantula #Rainforest #Spider #wild #wildlife #tarantulas #tarantulasofinstagram #beautiful #arachnids #nature #tarantulalovers #photography #tarantulapet
♬ Gang – Mxrphy

3. Giant Weta

This chunky insect is basically a cricket on steroids. Weighing in at up to 71 grams and measuring over 8 inches long, the giant weta looks like it escaped from a Jurassic Park spin-off. Found only on Little Barrier Island, they evolved huge thanks to island gigantism. While they can bite, they mostly munch on plants. Peter Jackson even named his SFX studio “Weta” after them.

4. Giant Centipedes

The Amazonian giant centipede is cunning enough to hunt frogs, birds, and even bats. Indeed, this foot-long predator preys on mammals and birds that typically consume insects for sustenance. It’s fast, aggressive, and will bite humans if provoked. It can’t kill you, thankfully, but it will hurt like a mother trucker.