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Giant Huntsman(Heteropoda maxima)

The Giant Huntsman spider is said to be the largest spider of the world in accordance to leg span, being indigenous to the Laos region. It is even one of the fastest spiders since it is known to hunt down preys actively.

Giant Huntsman Spider

Scientific Classification

Physical Description & Identification

Adults

Size: They are huge in size, being the largest of the spiders belonging to the Sparassidae family. Their body length is about 4.6 cm (1.8 inches), while their legs pan is 30 cm (12 inches) long. The females are characteristically larger than their male counterparts.

Color: They have a yellowish-brown body, with dark spots distributed in an irregular fashion all over. Their legs are mostly banded with markings of brown or gray.

Other characteristics: Their legs are longer than their body twisting forward similar to that of a crab. The males and females are also different from one another when it comes to genital features as the cymbium of the latter is thrice longer than its tegulum.

Giant Huntsman Spider Size

Eggs

The eggs remain enclosed in an oval sac and about 200 of them may be laid.

Giant Huntsman Spider Egg

Spiderlings

The juvenile spiders have a pale body that gets darker with every molt.

Does the Giant Huntsman Spider Bite and Is It Poisonous

Though large and hairy, spiders of this species are not dangerous and may rarely bite humans perhaps when provoked. Their bites are however painful causing localized pain, redness and swelling.

Giant Huntsman Spider Habitat

Quick Facts

Distribution Laos, as well as other parts of Asia; also found in Australia, Africa and parts of America like Texas, Florida, and California
Habitat In entrances of caves, on dead trees and their stump
Diet Insects and other invertebrates as well as geckos and small skinks
Predators Birds, geckoes, flies, and wasps
Lifespan Approximately 2 years
Giant Huntsman Spider Image

Did You Know

  • P. Jager described it for the first time after the discovery of the species in one of Laos’ caves.
  • Prior to the discovery of this species, Beregama aurea of Australia was the largest member of the Sparassidae family.
  • The Goliath Birdeater is the largest in terms of size and mass but is after the giant huntsman when it comes to legs pan. 

Image Credits: Cdnph.upi.com, Images.earthtouchnews.com, I.pinimg.com, Rateeveryanimal.com, Chartnumber.club

The Giant Huntsman spider is said to be the largest spider of the world in accordance to leg span, being indigenous to the Laos region. It is even one of the fastest spiders since it is known to hunt down preys actively.

Giant Huntsman Spider

Physical Description & Identification

Adults

Size: They are huge in size, being the largest of the spiders belonging to the Sparassidae family. Their body length is about 4.6 cm (1.8 inches), while their legs pan is 30 cm (12 inches) long. The females are characteristically larger than their male counterparts.

Color: They have a yellowish-brown body, with dark spots distributed in an irregular fashion all over. Their legs are mostly banded with markings of brown or gray.

Other characteristics: Their legs are longer than their body twisting forward similar to that of a crab. The males and females are also different from one another when it comes to genital features as the cymbium of the latter is thrice longer than its tegulum.

Giant Huntsman Spider Size

Eggs

The eggs remain enclosed in an oval sac and about 200 of them may be laid.

Giant Huntsman Spider Egg

Spiderlings

The juvenile spiders have a pale body that gets darker with every molt.

Does the Giant Huntsman Spider Bite and Is It Poisonous

Though large and hairy, spiders of this species are not dangerous and may rarely bite humans perhaps when provoked. Their bites are however painful causing localized pain, redness and swelling.

Giant Huntsman Spider Habitat

Quick Facts

Distribution Laos, as well as other parts of Asia; also found in Australia, Africa and parts of America like Texas, Florida, and California
Habitat In entrances of caves, on dead trees and their stump
Diet Insects and other invertebrates as well as geckos and small skinks
Predators Birds, geckoes, flies, and wasps
Lifespan Approximately 2 years
Giant Huntsman Spider Image

Did You Know

  • P. Jager described it for the first time after the discovery of the species in one of Laos’ caves.
  • Prior to the discovery of this species, Beregama aurea of Australia was the largest member of the Sparassidae family.
  • The Goliath Birdeater is the largest in terms of size and mass but is after the giant huntsman when it comes to legs pan. 

Image Credits: Cdnph.upi.com, Images.earthtouchnews.com, I.pinimg.com, Rateeveryanimal.com, Chartnumber.club

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