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'Huntsman Spiders' are of the
family Heteropodidae (formerly Sparassidae)
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They are often large spiders that are usually quite
flattened in appearance, with long, laterally pointed legs.
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Their long
legs give some of the larger specimens a total span of 16 centimetres (Egerton
1997).
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Their legs can also
bend forward, which enables them to scurry sideways in a crab-like motion.
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These
appearances and behaviours are generally an adaptation to their life underneath
the bark of trees.
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The fact that they do not use webs, and that they may chase
down their prey, gives them their most commonly used name of “Huntsman”.
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However
they most probably use a ‘sit and wait’ hunting strategy, placing themselves on tree
trunks near busy paths and preying on the passing traffic.
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The Huntsman family
can potentially be found all around the world, but seem much more common in the
tropics.
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Some have adapted to living with humans quite well, and thus Huntsmans
can often be seen on the walls inside toilets and lodges and other outside
buildings.
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Despite their size and
speed, most Huntsmen are harmless; only the “Badge spiders”, Olios
spp. are considered a little dangerous.
