They do not “calm down” over time and should never be handled. Huntsman spiders are active hunters, doing so by day and night.Īlthough not considered to be dangerously venomous, they are fast and aggressive, and will not hesitate to bite central nervous system reactions have been reported on rare occasions. Huntsman Spiders are quite hardy if kept warm and somewhat moist. Well-cared-for females may live to 2+ years of age males usually expire at age 8-12 months. The chelicerae (jaws or “fangs”) are noticeably-large. The brown, black-spotted legs span a distance of 7 – 12 cm (3 – 5 in). The 2.2 – 2.8 cm (0.8 – 1.1 in) body is flattened, brown in color, and bears a yellow (female) or cream (male) band around the edge. Their time is spent above-ground, on tree trunks, rock faces, and building walls. Huntsman Spiders are often found in homes, garages and greenhouses, as well as forests, brushy scrub, orchards, and parks. In the USA, it is established in several southeastern states and California. The Huntsman Spider is native to southern India and Sri Lanka, but has spread to tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide as a stowaway (sometimes in banana shipments, as one common name implies). While their venom is not considered especially toxic to humans, bites are painful and the possibility of allergic reactions must be considered. Huntsman Spiders are, however, quite aggressive, and best left to experienced adult keepers. Entomological News 48: 160-161.This large spider is active and interesting enough to keep even the most jaded arachnid owner enthused. The use of a headlight in collecting nocturnal spiders. A prospective study of 750 definite spider bites, with expert spider identification. NatureServe Explorer: Heteropoda venatoriaīugwood Network Images: Heteropoda venatoria References Fortunately, the huntsman spider does not share the same poisonous features and threat as the brown recluse Spider. The huntsman spider is often mistaken for the brown recluse spider ( Loxosceles reclusa) due to the shared color and markings. In areas where temperatures are mostly above freezing, the Huntsman Spider can be found away from man-made structures in avocado groves, or areas where it can find food. It can be found hidden behind structures in houses, barns, or greenhouses. Habitat: This species is restricted to warmer climates, and can't survive outside during sub-freezing temperatures. With a preference to tropical climates, the Huntsman Spider has become established in southern states and spread around the Gulf Coast region as well as California. on banana shipments from Central America. However, it is hypothesized to have been transported to the U.S. The huntsman spider is believed to have originated in Asia where its closest relatives are found. The huntsman spider relies on speed to capture prey and injects poison into insects from the chelicerae rather than a web for trapping. The female huntsman spider carries the egg sac beneath the abdomen containing about 200 eggs rendering the female nearly motionless due to the size of the egg sac (1.5 cm diameter).
This spider does not use a web to capture prey and is ideal for management of cockroaches and similar indoor pests. The huntsman spider is not poisonous, but if handled aggressively it will issue a painful bite. Larva Description: Juvenile huntsman spiders look similar to that of the adult with no type of metamorphosis required for growth to maturation. Both sexes display black spots on the legs at the base of erectile macroseta, which is the only part of the spider with noticeable hair. Males have longer legs, longitudinal bands on the abdomen, and a cream band on the carapace. Females have an overall brown body and a larger abdomen with a tan marginal band on the carapace. Adult Description: The huntsman spider ( Heteropoda venatoria) also called the giant crab spider or banana spider, is 20-23 mm in length with female's body length at the upper range compared to males.
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