Heteropoda

Picture a group of spiders called the Heteropoda. They’re part of a big spider family named Sparassidae, and many people know them as huntsman spiders. As of December 2015, there were about 197 different kinds!

Scientific Classification

Heteropoda Spider

Spiders Belonging To This Genus   

  • Heteropoda acuta
  • Heteropoda aemulans
  • Heteropoda afghana                     
  • Heteropoda alta
  • Heteropoda altithorax 
  • Heteropoda binnaburra 
  • Heteropoda altmannae
  • Heteropoda amphora
  • Heteropoda analis 
  • Heteropoda armillata 
  • Heteropoda atollicola
  • Heteropoda atriventris
  • Heteropoda badiella 
  • Heteropoda bellendenker
  • Heteropoda belua
  • Heteropoda beroni 
  • Heteropoda beroni
  • Heteropoda bhaikakai 
  • Heteropoda boiei
  • Heteropoda bonthainensis
  • Heteropoda boutani 
  • Heteropoda bulburin 
  • Heteropoda camelia 
  • Heteropoda cavernicola 
  • Heteropoda cece
  • Heteropoda cervina 
  • Heteropoda chelata
  • Heteropoda chelata vittichelis 
  • Heteropoda chengbuensis 
  • Heteropoda christae
  • Heteropoda conwayensis 
  • Heteropoda cooki 
  • Heteropoda cooloola 
  • Heteropoda crassa 
  • Heteropoda crediton 
  • Heteropoda cyanichelis
  • Heteropoda cyanognatha
  • Heteropoda cyperusiria 

Physical Description & Identification

Adult

  • Size: They are big, and the largest species of this genus (Heteropoda maxima or giant huntsman) is 4.6 cm in length, having a leg span of about 30 cm.
  • Color: Brown is the dominant color, though the shades may vary, like, theHeteropoda davidbowie has a reddish-brown body, while the Heteropoda maxima appear yellowish-brown.
  • Other Characteristics:  The legs of many species of this genus lack a particular pattern, thus, giving them a long, hairy look.

Eggs

A small, oval sac holds a minimum of 100 eggs.

Spiderlings

When in their juvenile stage, they have a lighter hue, which gets darker upon maturation.

The Web

Since they are a part of the huntsman spider family, most species of this genus do not make webs and hunt for their prey.

Are Heteropoda Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Heteropoda spiders have venom. But here’s a fun fact: their venom isn’t super strong for humans. Some of them have toxic venom, which is dangerous for insects but not humans.

Can Heteropoda Spiders Bite?

Absolutely, Heteropoda spiders can bite. It might feel like a small poke. But for most folks, it’s usually not a big thing.

Quick Facts

Lifespan About two years
Distribution Mostly tropical Asia and several parts of Australia (excepting the H. venatoria and H. variegata)
Habitat Entrance of caves, dead trees, sugarcane fields, banana, and avocado groves, as well as forests
Common predators Wasps, geckoes, birds, and flies
Diet Insects and birds

Did You Know

  • Apart from the details about their food habits as mentioned above, a species of this genus, namely H. venatoria is said to consume bats and scorpions. One species was even said to have tadpoles and fish when offered in a laboratory during research.

Image Credits: en.wiktionary.org

Picture a group of spiders called the Heteropoda. They’re part of a big spider family named Sparassidae, and many people know them as huntsman spiders. As of December 2015, there were about 197 different kinds!

Heteropoda Spider

Spiders Belonging To This Genus   

  • Heteropoda acuta
  • Heteropoda aemulans
  • Heteropoda afghana                     
  • Heteropoda alta
  • Heteropoda altithorax 
  • Heteropoda binnaburra 
  • Heteropoda altmannae
  • Heteropoda amphora
  • Heteropoda analis 
  • Heteropoda armillata 
  • Heteropoda atollicola
  • Heteropoda atriventris
  • Heteropoda badiella 
  • Heteropoda bellendenker
  • Heteropoda belua
  • Heteropoda beroni 
  • Heteropoda beroni
  • Heteropoda bhaikakai 
  • Heteropoda boiei
  • Heteropoda bonthainensis
  • Heteropoda boutani 
  • Heteropoda bulburin 
  • Heteropoda camelia 
  • Heteropoda cavernicola 
  • Heteropoda cece
  • Heteropoda cervina 
  • Heteropoda chelata
  • Heteropoda chelata vittichelis 
  • Heteropoda chengbuensis 
  • Heteropoda christae
  • Heteropoda conwayensis 
  • Heteropoda cooki 
  • Heteropoda cooloola 
  • Heteropoda crassa 
  • Heteropoda crediton 
  • Heteropoda cyanichelis
  • Heteropoda cyanognatha
  • Heteropoda cyperusiria 

Physical Description & Identification

Adult

  • Size: They are big, and the largest species of this genus (Heteropoda maxima or giant huntsman) is 4.6 cm in length, having a leg span of about 30 cm.
  • Color: Brown is the dominant color, though the shades may vary, like, theHeteropoda davidbowie has a reddish-brown body, while the Heteropoda maxima appear yellowish-brown.
  • Other Characteristics:  The legs of many species of this genus lack a particular pattern, thus, giving them a long, hairy look.

Eggs

A small, oval sac holds a minimum of 100 eggs.

Spiderlings

When in their juvenile stage, they have a lighter hue, which gets darker upon maturation.

The Web

Since they are a part of the huntsman spider family, most species of this genus do not make webs and hunt for their prey.

Are Heteropoda Spiders Venomous?

Yes, Heteropoda spiders have venom. But here’s a fun fact: their venom isn’t super strong for humans. Some of them have toxic venom, which is dangerous for insects but not humans.

Can Heteropoda Spiders Bite?

Absolutely, Heteropoda spiders can bite. It might feel like a small poke. But for most folks, it’s usually not a big thing.

Quick Facts

Lifespan About two years
Distribution Mostly tropical Asia and several parts of Australia (excepting the H. venatoria and H. variegata)
Habitat Entrance of caves, dead trees, sugarcane fields, banana, and avocado groves, as well as forests
Common predators Wasps, geckoes, birds, and flies
Diet Insects and birds

Did You Know

  • Apart from the details about their food habits as mentioned above, a species of this genus, namely H. venatoria is said to consume bats and scorpions. One species was even said to have tadpoles and fish when offered in a laboratory during research.

Image Credits: en.wiktionary.org