Animal Profiles
Arachnids

Huntsman Spider

Sparassidae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Huntsman spiders are fast-moving arachnids with laterally spread legs. This account follows the pantropical huntsman (Heteropoda venatoria), often found around buildings.

Heteropoda venatoria, the representative described in this account.

Heteropoda venatoria, the representative described in this account.

Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
This huntsman occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, including low-elevation settlements in Taiwan.
Habitat
Towns and cities
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Cockroaches and other insects provide prey.

Classification

Common name
Huntsman Spider
Browse group
Arachnids
Scientific name or taxon
Sparassidae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Araneae
Family
Sparassidae
Source classification
Arachnida

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its legs spread sideways.
  • It hunts insects.
  • It often occurs near buildings.

Habitat and range

This huntsman occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, including low-elevation settlements in Taiwan. Buildings and nearby sheltered surfaces provide places to rest and hunt.

Appearance and adaptations

The flattened body and sideways-oriented legs suit movement across walls and into narrow spaces. Brown coloration helps conceal the spider against many surfaces.

Diet and behaviour

Cockroaches and other insects provide prey. The spider searches actively rather than relying on a large capture web. The local museum account describes its association with human surroundings.

Sources

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