The huntsman spider, belonging to the family Sparassidae, is known for its imposing size and remarkable speed. They are sometimes referred to as giant crab spiders, reflecting their unique appearance and locomotion. Although often associated with Australia, huntsman spiders are established in the United States. The presence of these large spiders in the US is confirmed, particularly in areas that offer the warm, subtropical climate they require to thrive.
Where Huntsman Spiders Are Found in the US
Huntsman spiders are concentrated in southern and coastal US regions where temperatures rarely drop below freezing, including the Gulf Coast states (Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia) and parts of California. The US species primarily fall under the genera Heteropoda and Olios, with the Pantropical Huntsman (Heteropoda venatoria) being the most commonly encountered species in human habitats. Heteropoda venatoria is not native, having been introduced from Asia. It often arrived accidentally via cargo, leading to the colloquial name “banana spider” when found on produce shipments. A native species, Olios giganteus, is found in the Southwest, including Arizona and Nevada.
How to Identify a Huntsman Spider
The most distinguishing feature of a huntsman spider is its impressive size and leg orientation, which sets it apart from other large US spiders like the wolf spider. Their leg span can reach up to five or six inches, and some individuals have been observed with a span of eight inches. Despite this wide leg span, their bodies remain relatively flat, a characteristic that allows them to slip into narrow crevices under tree bark or behind furniture.
The legs of a huntsman are laterigrade, meaning the joints are twisted so the legs extend forward and sideways, creating a distinct crab-like posture. This posture gives them their alternative name, giant crab spider, and facilitates their ability to move quickly in all directions, including sideways. Their coloration typically consists of inconspicuous shades of brown or grey, often with mottled patterns that provide excellent camouflage against wood or bark.
Unlike orb-weavers, huntsman spiders do not construct webs to capture prey, instead relying on their speed and excellent agility as pursuit hunters. Their eight eyes are arranged in two distinct rows, visible on the anterior aspect of the prosoma. While they are covered in short hairs, they are generally less bulky than tarantulas, which are sometimes mistaken for them due to their overall large appearance.
Threat Level and General Behavior
Despite their alarming size and rapid movement, huntsman spiders are non-aggressive toward humans and are not medically significant pests. Their primary defense mechanism when confronted is to flee, using their speed to quickly disappear from sight. They are active hunters, feeding on insects, cockroaches, and other invertebrates, making them effective, though startling, pest controllers within homes and structures.
The venom they possess is primarily used to immobilize their prey and is not potent enough to cause serious harm to healthy individuals. A bite from a huntsman spider is a rare event, usually only occurring if the spider is roughly handled or accidentally trapped against the skin. When a bite does occur, the symptoms are typically mild, involving localized pain, redness, and some swelling, comparable to a common bee sting.
While the venom itself is mild, the sheer size of their chelicerae (jaws) can cause mechanical pain at the bite site. In very rare instances, systemic symptoms such as nausea, headache, or an irregular pulse have been reported, but these are uncommon and may indicate a rare allergic reaction. They prefer sheltered locations like under tree bark and rock crevices, but they frequently enter human dwellings, particularly garages, sheds, and behind wall hangings, often seeking shelter or prey.