Huntsman Spider
Family Sparassidae
Large, flat, fast-moving spiders that hunt insects on walls and under bark. They are alarming to many people but are not considered dangerous.
- Leg span
- Up to 15 cm+
- Danger
- Not considered dangerous
- Web
- No capture web
- Eats
- Insects, including cockroaches
Questions about the Huntsman Spider
How to identify a Huntsman Spider
Identification
- Leg span can exceed 10–15 cm in some species.
- Flattened body; legs extend sideways like a crab.
- Usually grey or brown and hairy.
Where it lives
- Under loose bark, behind shutters, in sheds, cars and inside homes on walls and ceilings.
Behaviour
- Does not build capture webs; hunts at night.
- Often comes indoors before and during rain or heat.
- Females guard egg sacs and may be defensive.
Why it matters
Bites are uncommon and may be painful but are not considered medically serious.
They eat cockroaches and other insects.
More questions about spiders
All spider questions →Other spider species
Redback Spider
Latrodectus hasselti
A small, medically significant Australian spider found in dry, sheltered spots around homes. The female’s bite can cause severe pain and illness, and medical advice should be sought.
White-tailed Spider
Lampona spp.
A slender, dark hunting spider with a white tip on its abdomen that wanders indoors at night. Research has not supported the belief that its bite causes flesh-eating ulcers.
Spider guides
How to Pest-Proof Your Home
A practical, room-by-room approach to reducing pests without relying on chemicals: remove what attracts them, close the ways in, and make your property less comfortable for them.
GuideCommon Brisbane Household Pests
A Brisbane-specific overview of the pests residents meet most often, when they are active, and what the subtropical climate, storms, creeks and Queenslander homes mean for pest pressure.
GuidePest Prevention Checklist
A printable seasonal checklist of simple, low-cost tasks that reduce pests around Australian homes, with the reason behind each step and extra lists for renters, apartment residents, pet owners and Queenslander owners.
Spiders by location
More about spiders
Spiders
Eight-legged predators that feed on insects. Most household spiders are harmless and useful, but a few Australian species, such as redbacks and funnel-webs, need to be treated with care.
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Sources & further reading
- Australian Museum — insects and spiders — Australian Museum
- Queensland Museum — insects, spiders and animals of Queensland — Queensland Museum
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