The huntsman can also be a valuable spider because it eats cockroaches, in addition to other spiders and domestic insect pests. Once captured, the prey will be injected with deadly venom from glands within the spider's body, according to the University of Florida (opens in new tab). The huntsman runs after or ambushes its prey, killing it with venom and strong mouthparts, called the chelicerae. (Image credit: Getty) What do huntsman spiders eat? Giant huntsman spiders can be found in rock crevices. According to the Australian Museum, they have been "found hiding behind sun visors or running across the dashboard." These spiders can be social, and dozens will sometimes sit together on dead trees or stumps. Huntsman spiders, especially Australian species, are notorious for entering houses and cars. The spider typically lives under loose bark on trees, under rocks, in crevices and under foliage. Related: Jumping spiders: Facts about the cutest arachnids on the planet What environment do they live in?īills extolled the huntsman's speed: "They can often be quite large and very quick." In fact, the huntsman spider can move up to a yard (almost 1 meter) a second, she said.
Folklore stories claim the spiders traveled from Asia in boxes of bananas, and because of that, they are sometimes called banana spiders. They live in some warm American states such as Florida, California and Texas, and, according to the University of Florida (opens in new tab), it is presumed that they were introduced from Asia. They are also prevalent in Africa, Australia and South America, according to Science Alert (opens in new tab). The giant huntsman was found in Laos, and most huntsman species are native to Asia. Classification/taxonomyĪccording to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (opens in new tab) (ITIS), the taxonomy of giant huntsman spiders is: Many huntsman species' bodies have a flattened appearance, ideal for squeezing into tight places, according to the Australian Museum (opens in new tab). The spiders' legs are typically gray or brown, and banded. Males have longer legs, although females have larger bodies. Huntsman spiders' legs have twisted joints, which allow the appendages to extend forward like a crab's and their alignment allows the spider to move side-to-side, also similar to a crab. (Image credit: Getty Images ) (opens in new tab) An image of a female huntsman spider ( Heterpoda venatoria) taken in a home in West Bengal, India. “World’s Biggest Spider Explained.” National Geographic, 31 Oct. World’s Biggest Spider Discovered In The UK. "World's largest spider: 'Goliath birdeater.' Arizona Republic, 20 Oct. “Where to See the World’s Biggest Spiders.” Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. “Largest Spider.” Guinness World Records. The Huntsman spider's bite isn't lethal to humans, although it causes symptoms that can include swelling, and pain at the bite site, as well as headaches and nausea. The organization tweeted the spider had come to the U.K. The Goliath Birdeater can also get up to foot across in leg span but has more body mass, which has some pegging the Birdeater as the largest type of spider.Īfter emerging from the shipping container in the port city of Hull, the spider was turned over the to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Huntsman spiders can get as large as a foot across in leg span, or roughly the size of a dinner plate.īut the Huntsman spider has a competitor for size. Instead, stories reporting on the incident simply note that the arachnid is a Huntsman spider. shipping container is itself the world's largest spider. There's no evidence, however, that the individual spider found in the U.K. Instead, the story reports that one of the largest types of spiders was found. Headlines like, "World's Biggest Spider Discovered In the UK," as reported by British viral news outlet Unilad, might leave the reader with the impression that a world record-breaking mega-spider was found in the U.K. after it emerged from a shipping container. In February 2022, various news sites published headlines reporting that the "world's biggest spider" had been found in the U.K.
0 kommentar(er)
