Common Huntsman Spider

Description:

The common huntsman spider is found throughout south-eastern Australia. It lives anywhere, favouring plants which will offer shelter such as ivy. It is very common to have huntsman spiders in urban areas, and the spiders will come inside your house. These large spiders move very quickly, they are hairy with long legs. The spiders can measure up to 15 cms wide from leg to leg. They have a flat body, which is useful for them to crawl underneath bark and other such hiding places. They can bite you, and if they do, it will be painful and swelling may occur.

Habitat:

They feed on insects and other such invertebrates. The female huntsman lays up to 200 eggs and guards these eggs, without leaving them or eating for around three weeks.

Notes:

They often shock people who are not from Australia, as Australia has a reputation for dangerous creatures. Due to their size and speed, they do manage to intimidate a lot of people. I once heard an Australian comedian mention his fear of spiders, he mentioned that he knows the Huntsman spiders are not dangerous, but how could we not be scared of them when they have been given the name Hunts... Man....!. However, these spiders are harmless.