'Huntsman Spiders' are of the family Heteropodidae (formerly Sparassidae)
They are often large spiders that are usually quite flattened in appearance, with long, laterally pointed legs.
Their long legs give some of the larger specimens a total span of 16 centimetres (Egerton 1997).
Their legs can also bend forward, which enables them to scurry sideways in a crab-like motion.
These appearances and behaviours are generally an adaptation to their life underneath the bark of trees.
The fact that they do not use webs, and that they may chase down their prey, gives them their most commonly used name of “Huntsman”.
However they most probably use a ‘sit and wait’ hunting strategy, placing themselves on tree trunks near busy paths and preying on the passing traffic.
The Huntsman family can potentially be found all around the world, but seem much more common in the tropics.
Some have adapted to living with humans quite well, and thus Huntsmans can often be seen on the walls inside toilets and lodges and other outside buildings.
Despite their size and speed, most Huntsmen are harmless; only the “Badge spiders”, Olios spp. are considered a little dangerous.
