Community identification
Huntsman spider
Heteropoda venatoria
- Order & Family
- Araneae; Sparassidae
- Size
- Body about 2–3 cm; leg span commonly 8–12 cm.
Natural Habitat
Warm regions, often in homes, sheds, and other sheltered places; native to tropical and subtropical areas.
Diet & Feeding
Hunts insects and other small arthropods, including cockroaches.
Behavior Patterns
A fast, flattened, nocturnal hunter that does not build a prey-catching web; females carry their egg sac beneath the body.
Risks & Benefits
Generally not dangerous to people and bites are uncommon, though a bite may cause temporary pain or swelling. It can help control household insect pests.