huntsman spider

Huntsman spider Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Arachnida

Order: Araneae

Section: Entelegynae

Superfamily: Sparassoidea

Family: Sparassidae

Bertkau, 1872 Diversity 82 genera, 1009 species

Genera

Delena

> Heteropoda

Holconia

Isopeda

Isopedella

Leucorchestris

Micrommata

Neosparassus

Olios

Palystes

Pediana

Pseudopoda

Thelcticopis

Many others

Huntsman spider is a common name given to the family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae). They are also known as the giant crab spiders, due to their appearance. Larger specimens of these spiders are also sometimes referred to as wood spiders, due to their preference for inhabiting woody places (forest, mine shafts, woodpiles). They are known as rain spiders in southern Africa.

These eight-eyed spiders are found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, Florida, and Hawaii, and possibly in many other tropical and semi-tropical regions. Contents [hide] 1 Appearance 2 Habitat and distribution 3 Toxicity and aggression 4 Sound production in mating rituals 5 Gallery 5.1 Genus Heteropoda 5.2 Genus Micrommata 6 See also 7 References 8 External links //

Appearance A huntsman spider with its meal - a small beetle

While frequently very large – in Laos, Heteropoda maxima males can attain a legspan of 250–300 mm (9.8–11.8 in) – they are (like the vast majority of spiders) not deadly to humans. They do bite if provoked, but the victim will suffer only minor swelling and localized pain, and will recover in a day or two. Some larger types resemble tarantulas, and may be mistaken for them, as the Huntsman is related (which is why the term "Australian tarantula" has sometimes been used to describe them by the Natural History Museum in Sydney). Huntsman spiders can generally be identified by their legs, which, rather than being jointed vertically relative to the body, are twisted such that the legs extend forward in a crab-like fashion.

Many Huntsman spiders are dull shades of brown or grey. Their legs are covered with fairly prominent spines, but the rest of their bodies appear smooth. They are frequently found in sheds, garages and other infrequently-disturbed places. The Banded Huntsman (Holconia) is larger and grey to brown with striped bands on its legs. The Badge Huntsman (Neosparassus) is larger still, and brown and hairy. Its bite will inflict the worst injury, and local swelling and pain may cause nausea, headache, vomiting and heart palpitations. The tropical or Brown Huntsman (Heteropoda) is also large and hairy, with mottled brown, white and black markings. The eyesight of these spiders is not nearly as good as that of the Salticidae (jumping spiders). Nevertheless, their vision is quite sufficient to detect approaching humans or other large animals from some distance.

Habitat and distribution Adult Huntsman spider on the underside of a log in Victoria,