Spider ages

Most araneomorph spiders (orb weavers, huntsman, etc.) live from one to three years. Mygalomorph spiders (trapdoors, tarantulas) are generally much longer lived. Some large tarantulas species (Theraphosidae) take six to eight years to mature and live 20 years or more. A long life and continuing moulting and growth allows some of these species to grow very large - the legs of a large goliath spider (Theraphosa blondi) may almost span a dinner plate.

Female spiders generally live longer than males, this difference being especially notable in long-lived spiders like mygalomorph spiders - e.g., male funnelwebs mature in two to three years and then die about nine months later; whereas females mature in three to four years but may live for many years (six or more) after that.