Huntsman Spider

A common inhabitant of wooded areas, huntsman spider is spread in various globe areas with a climate ranging from tropical to semi-tropical; thus, you can find this species in Australia and New Zealand as well as in the United States or in Asia. Since the favorite habitat of the huntsman spider is the forest, in many parts of the world it is known as the wood spider.

The huntsman spider is easy to be taken for a tarantula, but it is harmless to humans; it never bites unless provoked, and the wound is superficial and healing in just a couple of days. The size of the huntsman spider may seem impressive, as it has no less than three centimeters in leg-span. The legs of the huntsman spider are actually the characteristic element for the species: rather than having them attached vertically to the body, they are twisted, with a crab-like appearance.

The huntsman spider is also identified by its colors ranging from brown to gray; depending on the globe area where it is encountered, the species may present other specificities as well, such as hairy legs, as it is the case with the Badge Huntsman variety. Despite its diversity, all the huntsman spider specimens have eight eyes disposed on various parts of the body, and a good vision for the close and distant potential pray.

Unlike the general opinion that associates spiders with webs, this is not the case with the huntsman spider: this species goes out to hunt its pray as it doesn’t wait for it to get caught in a web. Tree bark, crevices and even garages and sheds are the favorite places where the huntsman spider would make its home. Because of its high adaptability to the environment, it will cling very easily thanks to its articulate legs. Thus, if you get a huntsman spider on your clothes, you’ll find it pretty difficult to shake it off.

Far from being seen as a threat to humans, the huntsman spider is pretty useful since it mainly feeds on insects. Nevertheless, the Australian variety of the species has been reported to inflict serious bites that cause not just pain and inflammation, but vomiting episodes, fever, headaches and even changes in the heart rate.

The female huntsman spider is more aggressive than the male, particularly when protecting its nest; hence, it’s advisable not to disturb or threaten it in any way.