Huntsman spiders are a common group of spiders found in Australia, New Zealand, S.E. Asia, the Middle East in areas near the Mediterranean Sea, Florida in the U.S., and quite possibly in many other tropical and semi-tropical areas.. While frequently very large (in Laos, Heteropoda maxima males can get a legspan of 25-30 cm, i.e., 9.33 - 11.25 inches), and quite a fearsome sight, they are harmless to humans. They do bite if provoked, but the victim will suffer only minor swelling and localised pain and will recover in a day or so. Some larger types resemble tarantulas, and may be mistaken for them, but the huntsman is unrelated (though the term "Australian tarantula" has sometimes wrongly been used to describe them - even by the Natural History Museum in Sydney). Huntsmen generally can 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.

Huntsmen do not build webs but forage for food - mostly insects and other invertebrates. They live in the crevices in bark. They will frequently wander into homes and cars, and are able to run extremely fast. They travel on walls and even on ceilings, having quite a good ability to adhere to smooth surfaces. They also tend to exhibit a "cling" reflex if you attempt to pick them up, making them difficult to shake off and much more likely to bite. The females are fierce defenders of their young. They will generally make a threat display, but if the warning is ignored they may attack and bite even humans.

Many, but certainly not all, 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 but not shiny. They are frequently found in sheds, garages and other infrequently disturbed places. The banded huntsman (Holconia) is larger, grey to brown with striped bands on its legs. The badge huntsman (Neosparassus) is larger still, brown and hairy. Its bite will inflict the worst injury, as well as 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.

These spiders are also found in, among other places, the United States and Japan.

One particular huntsman spider achieved internet notoriety as the Clock Spider.

External links

• Australian Museum Online - Spider Website Photos, fact-sheets, information, etc.
• Factsheet on huntsman spiders
• Huntsmen from Australia