Giant Huntsman(Heteropoda maxima)

The Giant Huntsman spider has a big claim to fame: it has the longest legs among all spiders! Found in the Laos region, this spider is also super speedy. It chases its prey really fast! In this post, we’ll share cool facts about this spider.

Scientific Classification

• Family: Sparassidae
• Genus: Heteropoda
• Scientific name: Heteropoda maxima

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.

Eggs

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

Spiderlings

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

Are Giant Huntsman Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Giant Huntsman spiders do have venom. But don’t worry, their venom isn’t seen as dangerous to humans. They use it mostly to catch their food.

Can Giant Huntsman Spiders Bite?

Giant Huntsman spiders can bite if they’re scared. Their bite might feel a bit like a bee sting, causing some redness and itchiness.

Quick Facts

Distribution	Laos, as well as other parts of Asia; is 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

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. 

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