Lyla Lindsey
The huntsman spider, a member of the Sparassidae family, is a large, long-legged spider that is native to Australia. It is mostly grey to brown in colour, sometimes with banded legs, and can be identified by its long legs that twist forward in a crab-like fashion. While the giant huntsman spider, found in Laos, is considered the largest member of the Sparassidae family with a leg span of up to 30 cm, there are several large huntsman spider species found in Australia, including the giant green-bellied huntsman, which has a leg span of around 20 cm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Family | Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae) |
| Genus | Isopeda, Zachria, Delena, Heteropoda, Neosparassus, Palystes, Holconia, Cebrennus, Carparachne |
| Common Name | Giant crab spider, wood spider, rain spider, lizard-eating spider, tarantula |
| Prey | Insects, invertebrates, small skinks, geckos, cockroaches, other spiders |
| Habitat | Tropical and warm temperate regions, woody places, tree bark, homes, vehicles, rock crevices, foliage, caves |
| Behaviour | Social, hunts in groups, can be found in large colonies, fast sprinters, gymnasts |
| Vision | Sufficient to detect approaching humans or large animals from a distance |
| Reproduction | Female produces a flat, oval egg sac of white papery silk, containing up to 200 eggs |
| Lifespan | About two years or more |
| Size | Leg span: 25-30 cm (9.8-12 in); Body length: 4.6 cm (1.8 in) |
| Colour | Brown, grey, black, white, green, yellow, red |
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What You'll Learn
Huntsman spiders are the largest member of the Sparassidae family
Huntsman spiders are members of the family Sparassidae, formerly known as Heteropodidae. They are native to tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide, including much of Australia, Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Americas. There are over a thousand Sparassidae species in these regions.
Huntsman spiders are the largest members of the Sparassidae family. They are often referred to as "giant crab spiders" due to their size and appearance. Their legs are long and laterigrade, similar to those of crabs, with fairly prominent spines. On average, a huntsman spider's leg span can reach up to 15 cm (5.9 in), although some species can attain a larger size. For example, male giant huntsman spiders (Heteropoda maxima) in Laos have been recorded with a leg span of 25-30 cm (9.8-11.8 in).
The body of a huntsman spider is typically smoothly furry, with colours ranging from brown to grey. Some species, like the giant green-bellied huntsman, have distinctive markings and colouring, including yellow-orange markings around their eyes, spots on their abdomen, and reddish-brown brushes between their jaws.
Huntsman spiders are known for their ability to hunt and catch prey rather than relying on webs. They are excellent sprinters and gymnasts, capable of executing incredible leaps and tumbles to catch prey and escape from predators. They are also able to walk on walls and even on ceilings.
Huntsman spiders are commonly found in woody places such as forests, mine shafts, woodpiles, and wooden shacks. They often live under rocks, bark, and similar shelters, but they are also known to enter human dwellings, such as houses and vehicles.
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They are also called giant crab spiders
Huntsman spiders are members of the family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae). They are also called giant crab spiders because of their size and appearance. They are large, long-legged spiders that are mostly grey to brown in colour, sometimes with banded legs. They are often confused for tarantulas due to their hairy nature, but can be distinguished by their laterigrade legs, which are directed outwards rather than forwards, giving them a crab-like appearance.
The legs of huntsman spiders bear fairly prominent spines, but the rest of their bodies are smoothly furry. They have eight eyes, arranged in two rows of four, but their eyesight is limited, and they rely on vibrations and touch to navigate their surroundings. They are known for their crab-like legs and impressive speed, with some species running up to a metre per second. They are able to move sideways, jump, and even tumble, which helps them catch prey and escape from predators.
Huntsman spiders are native to tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide, including Australia. They can be found living under rocks or bark on trees, in crevices, and in foliage. In warmer climates like Australia, they are also known to enter human habitations, such as houses and cars, often hiding under furniture or behind sun visors.
The female huntsman spider produces an egg sac containing up to 200 eggs, which she guards for several weeks. Young huntsman spiders are pale, but they harden to a darker brown as they mature through several moults. The lifespan of most huntsman species is about two years or more.
While huntsman spiders are known for their size, some species are larger than others. The giant green-bellied huntsman, found along Australia's eastern coast, is one of the country's largest spider species, with a leg span of around 20 centimetres (almost 8 inches). In Laos, male giant huntsman spiders (Heteropoda maxima) can attain a leg span of 25-30 centimetres (9.8-11.8 inches).
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The giant huntsman spider is the largest species
The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) is the largest member of the huntsman spider family Sparassidae, which is found in Laos. It is considered the world's largest spider by leg span, reaching up to 30 cm (12 inches or 1 foot). To put that into perspective, its legs stretch out to about the size of a dinner plate. This spider was first described in 2001 by Peter Jäger after being discovered in a cave in Laos.
The giant huntsman spider is not just big for a spider—it's also relatively large compared to other members of the Sparassidae family. Prior to the discovery of the giant huntsman spider, the largest known member of this family was the Australian Beregama aurea, with a body length of about 4 cm (1.6 inches).
The giant huntsman spider is not only notable for its size but also for its distinctive appearance. It has a yellowish-brown body with several irregularly distributed dark spots on the rear half. Its legs are long and twist forward in a crab-like fashion, with wide dark bands before the first bend. Its eyes are arranged in two largely forward-facing rows of four on the anterior aspect of the prosoma.
While the giant huntsman spider is native to Laos, huntsman spiders as a whole are prevalent in Australia. They are known for entering houses and cars, and are often found hiding behind sun visors or running across dashboards. Huntsman spiders are sprinters and gymnasts, able to execute incredible leaps and tumbles to catch prey and escape predators. They are also valuable because they eat cockroaches, other spiders, and domestic insect pests.
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They are mostly grey to brown in colour
Australian Huntsman spiders are members of the family Sparassidae, formerly known as Heteropodidae. They are commonly referred to as "giant crab spiders" due to their size and the way their legs twist forward in a crab-like fashion. Huntsman spiders are mostly grey to brown in colour, with some exhibiting banded legs. Their bodies are typically furry, and they possess prominent spines on their legs.
The Banded Huntsman (Holconia) is a large grey-to-brown huntsman spider species with striped bands on its legs. The Badge Huntsman (Neosparassus) is brown and hairy, and even larger. The Brown Huntsman (Heteropoda), also known as the Tropical Huntsman, is another large, hairy species with mottled brown, white, and black markings. This spider is also known as the Giant Crab Spider due to its long legs.
The Green Huntsman Spider (Micrommata virescens) is native to Northern and Central Europe and has a bright green abdomen. The Giant Green-bellied Huntsman, native to Australia's eastern coast, has a leg span of around 20 centimetres and is identifiable by its green abdomen, yellow-orange markings around its eyes, spots on its abdomen, and reddish-brown brushes between its jaws.
Young huntsman spiders are pale and harden to a darker brown as they mature. The Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maxima), found in Laos, is the largest member of the Sparassidae family, with a leg span of up to 30 centimetres and a yellowish-brown colour. Its legs feature wide dark bands, and its body is long and narrow compared to other huntsman spiders.
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They are known to enter houses and cars
Huntsman spiders are known to enter houses and cars. They are partial to crevices, and can be found in rock walls, logs, and underneath rocks. They can also be found in sheds, garages, and other infrequently disturbed places.
Huntsman spiders are native to Australia and can be found in various parts of the country, including its eastern coast. They are large, long-legged spiders, with a leg span of around 20 centimetres (almost 8 inches). They are mostly grey to brown in colour, with some species having banded legs. They are hairy, with prominent spines on their legs, and smooth, furry bodies.
Huntsman spiders are known to enter houses, particularly during heavy rain when they seek shelter from the weather. They can also be attracted to houses that have a cockroach infestation, as cockroaches are a favourite food of the huntsman spider. To reduce the number of huntsman spiders entering a house, it is recommended to seal cracks in walls or doorways and to add fly screens to doors and windows.
Huntsman spiders are also known to enter cars, often through open windows or doors, or through vents, cracks, and gaps in the bodywork. They may seek shelter and warmth in cars, and can be found hiding in various places, including behind sun visors, in the glove compartment, and in cup holders. To prevent huntsman spiders from entering cars, it is recommended to regularly clean the car, seal cracks and gaps, use spider repellents, park in well-lit areas, and avoid clutter.
If you find a huntsman spider in your house or car, it is important to remain calm. Huntsman spiders are generally not aggressive and are more scared of you than you are of them. They can be carefully removed and released outside using a container and a piece of paper.
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Frequently asked questions
The size of a Huntsman spider varies depending on the species. The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) is considered the world's largest spider by leg span, reaching up to 30 cm (12 inches) or roughly the size of a dinner plate. Other large species include the banded huntsman (Holconia) and the badge huntsman (Neosparassus).
The giant huntsman spider is the largest member of the huntsman spider family Sparassidae, with a body length of up to 4.6 cm (1.8 inches). It is much larger than other spider species, such as the brown recluse spider, and is often confused with tarantulas due to its size and appearance.
Yes, while the giant huntsman spider is the largest in terms of leg span, there are other spider species that are larger in terms of overall size or weight. For example, the Goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is considered the largest known spider in the world by mass.
