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Huntsman spider. (Sparassidae, formerly Heteropodidae). Also known as giant crab spiders, wood spiders, and rain spiders. They are not dangerous although they will bite if handled. They are nocturnal and excellent climbers. They do not build webs, but hunt and eat insects and spiders smaller than themselves. The largest spiders in this family, up to 12 inches across, are found in Asia. The ones in Guatemala reach up to 6 inches across. This one is about 4 inches across. The locals here call them "tarantulas" which they are not. We also have tru tarantulas but locally those are called "araña de caballo".
If someone knows the exact genus and species of this one, please let me know.
To learn more about Guatemala see: www.mayaparaiso.com
While this is only a medium sized huntsman (or not - see last paragraph), he was certainly big enough to find on my bedroom curtains when I got home from work. It also didn't help when he jumped off them down onto the windowsill.
I didn't scream, but encouraged him into a plastic container, then took him outside for a photoshoot before letting him go.
These are a relatively harmless (to humans) Australian garden spider called "Huntsman" (I'm pretty sure) which unfortunately also like coming into houses....or cars....or out from under sun visors in cars. So thankful that has never happened to me lol.
I think I may have been wrong with my spider ID before and this may actually be a wolf spider rather than a huntsman. I need a spider expert to set me straight. Wolf spiders are actually more venomous than huntsmen but the effects are usually localised and not dangerous to humans.
In general, huntsman spiders are not regarded as dangerous, and can be considered beneficial because they feed on insects (cockroaches are a favourite). Many Australians will relocate huntsman spiders to the garden rather than kill them. There have been reports of members of the genus Neosparassus (formerly called Olios) giving bites that have caused prolonged pain, inflammation, headache, vomiting and irregular pulse rate; however, a scientific study into the bite of these spiders did not note any severe or unusual symptoms resulting from confirmed Neosparassus bites.[4] It is unclear under what circumstances these spiders bite people, but it is known that female members of this family will aggressively defend against perceived threats to their egg sacs and their young.
Shot this during Night Macro at Lower Pierce.
Huntsman spiders are large, long-legged spiders, measuring up to 15 cm across the legs. They are mostly grey to brown, sometimes with banded legs. Food consists of insects and other invertebrates.
Huntsman spiders, like all spiders, moult in order to grow and often their old skin may be mistaken for the original spider when seen suspended on bark or in the house.
The lifespan of most Huntsman species is about two years or more.
Predators of Huntsman Spiders include birds and geckoes, Spider Wasps, nematode worms and egg parasites (wasps and flies).
On the fence outside last night. Unfortunately we didn't have time to get the tripod out and the light was very low. But an impressive specimen.
Eating an Antlion Lacewing. Unlike other species of Huntsman spiders that we have around our place, I have found this one to be aggressive when threatened.
Cane spiders do not spin webs, and are welcomed in many homes as they feed on pests such as cockroaches and silverfish. Their exceptional agility and speed, as well as their ability to contort and squeeze through tight spaces, give them a strong advantage both in capturing prey and evading predators. They feed at night, which is another thing that makes them frightening to humans. - Wikipedia
We have lots of these spiders in the garden, around the house and in any stacks of empty plant pot. This one was disturbed when I picked the pot up to put a plant in it. I'm quite used to having them jump out.
Huntsman Spotted in the bathroom.
Lucky my girlfriend was away in Japan at the time. She was not impressed by these photos.
This clever Huntsman Spider is taking advantage of the modern day Solar LED light.
Family; Sparassidea. Not being a spider expert and with 148 species described in Australia I won't even guess but maybe a Neosparassus sp.
The shiftless Huntsman and the Lords guide Snow White through the Haunted Forest, keeping secret their mission to betray her.
From Snow White, performed by Youth Works at Theater Works of Peoria, Arizona, in May/June 2009. Written and directed by Jim Gradillas. Costume design by Renee Brown. Set/lighting design by Dori Brown. Props/photography by Bobby Sample.
Pictured: Snow White (rear), Brandon Bassett, Scott Murdock, Eric Zagar, and Zach Calderone.