Winning the title for the world’s largest (in diameter) spider it’s the huntsman spider! These critters are fast as a whip and outsize the Goliath bird eating tarantula for largest spider. The Goliath is heavier and huskier but the huntsman is larger in diameter and thinner. They are venomous but aren’t medically significant. So their bite will hurt but it certainly wont kill you; like many animals in Australia tend to want to do. These spiders are often on the news and on social media due to their size.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Sparassidae
Weight: Up to .07 ounces
Legspan: Up to 12 inches
Lifespan: Up to 2 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) It’s a fun point to note that these spiders have a 12 inch leg span!
2.) They are ambush predators that prefer to chase down their prey rather than so spin webs and wait.
3.) The huntsman spider has better eyesight than most spiders but not as keen as a jumping spider’s.
4.) Huntsman Spiders are found living under loose bark on trees, in crevices on rock walls and in logs, under rocks and slabs of bark on the ground and on foliage. They also inhabit houses and outdoor toilets.
5.) A huntsman spider will eat insects, lizards, and even small mammals.
But wait, there’s more on the huntsman spider!
6.) Males of 1 species of huntsman spider (Heteropoda venatoria), have recently been found to deliberately make a sound when they sense a female spider nearby.
7.) The females lay up to 200 eggs in a paper-like silken egg sac.
Did you know…?
They can travel up to 3 feet per second!
8.) These spiders aren’t typically defensive but females will defensively defend her egg sac.
9.) Huntsmen spiders are typically nocturnal (active at night).
10.) Predators of the huntsman spider include: geckoes, birds, spider wasps, nematode worms, and egg parasites.
Now a Short Huntsman Spider Video!
Also, check out the Critter Science YouTube channel. Videos added frequently!
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