Brown Huntsman Spider
The Brown Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda venatoria) is a species of arachnid found in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including Asia, RÃ©union Island, the Caribbean islands, the Southeastern US, and Australia. This spider is known as the Cane Spider in Hawaii, where it was introduced. It is most common in Australia.
This is a fairly large specimen, have a leg span of nearly five inches. The female has a stout body. She is usually seen with a pillow-like egg sac that she carries under her. The male has a slender body with longer and thinner legs. The carapace has a distinctive pattern in the male. Both sexes are reddish-brown to grayish-brown and slightly hairy.
Brown Huntsman Spiders do not spin webs. They are known to hunt for food by waiting quietly on a vertical surface and then rushing forward to attack when the prey is within range. Their exceptional agility and speed and ability to squeeze through tight spaces gives them a big advantage in capturing prey and also evading predators. They feed at night and are welcome in many homes as they feed on pests such as silverfish and cockroaches. Although they are fearsome in appearance, they are easily alarmed and will often flee rapidly.