Huntsman spiders belong to the family Sparassidae and are known for their speed and unique hunting style, which is why they’re called “huntsman.” They’re also nicknamed “giant crab spiders” due to their size and appearance. Sometimes, they’re referred to as “wood spiders” because they often live in wooded areas like forests and woodpiles. In southern Africa, the Palystes genus is known as “rain spiders” or “lizard-eating spiders.”
These spiders are found in warm and tropical regions around the world, including Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Some huntsman species have unique ways of moving, such as the wheel spider, which cartwheels, and another species that uses a handspring motion.
Sparassids have eight eyes arranged in two rows on their heads. They can grow quite large; for example, in Laos, male giant huntsman spiders can have a leg span of up to 30 centimeters. While they might look like tarantulas or brown recluse spiders due to their size and color, huntsman spiders have legs that extend in a crab-like fashion and their venom is not as dangerous.
Huntsman spiders are typically brown or gray on top, but may have black-and-white markings underneath. They have spiny legs and furry bodies, often living under rocks or bark. However, they are commonly found in places like sheds and garages. The banded huntsman is large and has striped legs, the badge huntsman is even larger and hairy, and the tropical huntsman has mottled markings. Although they don’t have the best eyesight, it’s good enough for them to notice humans or other large animals from a distance.
