Huntsman Spider Size: Explained & Compared With Others

Last Updated on April 10, 2023 by Amin Tawar

Huntsman Spider Length

Huntsman Spider Size
Huntsman Spider Size: Explained & Compared With Others

Huntsman spiders, members of the Sparassidae family, are so named due to their speed and mode of hunting. The giant huntsman spider is a species of the huntsman spider family Sparassidae found in Laos.

Now, you may be wondering if this large and massive spider is one of the world’s largest spiders, so it’s surprising that the Huntsman spider is considered the world’s largest spider by leg span, which can reach up to 30 cm (1 ft).

Long-legged predators, huntsman spiders hunt their prey. One of the world’s largest spiders is the giant huntsman spider. 

Because of their size, Huntsman spiders are also known as giant crab spiders. Adult spiders have a body length of 2.2 to 2.8 cm (approximately 1 inch) and a leg span of 7 to 12 cm (3 to 5 inches).

Adult females, on the other hand, are larger than their male counterparts, especially in terms of their abdomen size. 

Huntsman Spider Centimeter Inches 
Body length2.2 to 2.8 cm1-inch
Leg span 7 to 12 cm3 to 5 inches

Furthermore, the largest member of the Sparassidae family, the giant huntsman spider, has a leg span of 30 cm (12 in) and a body length of 4.6 cm (1.8 in).

Huntsman Spider Weight

This species of huntsman spider is active at night. These spiders hunt quickly and actively. That is, instead of using their webs to catch prey, they stalk and chase it. They can also jump and run faster than the average spiders. They also exhibit cannibalistic tendencies.

Furthermore, these huntsman spider species feed on whatever comes their way. Because they are cannibals, they feed on the dead of their own kind; for example, females feed on males after mating. The weight of these huntsman spiders is 0.0043 lb (0.00198 kg), and they can weigh over 6 ounces. 

Huntsman Spider Pounds Kilograms 
Weight 0.0043 lb0.00198 kg

Huntsman Spider Baby Size

Huntsman spiders are long-legged, large spiders. The baby or juveniles of the Huntsman spider are small compared to the adult spiders. The spider’s babies’ early diet consists of tiny insects such as small house flies, fruit flies, and baby crickets. 

The babies will be fully developed in eight to twelve months. As they age, they grow in terms of both their height and weight. 

Huntsman Spider Full Size

People frequently confuse Giant Huntsman spiders with another notorious giant spider – tarantulas. 

The huntsman spider is one of the largest spider species on the planet. The spider’s full body length is about 2 cm (less than an inch), but its legs can stretch up to 15 cm (6 inches). 

Huntsman Spider Size Comparison To A Human Hand

Huntsman Spider Size Compared to human hand
Huntsman Spider Size: Explained & Compared With Others

Humans are not killed by Huntsman spiders. However, it would be a mistake to believe that because huntsman spiders are not dangerous. 

Huntsman spiders are venomous, and their bites can cause localized swelling and pain in humans. As a result, it is not recommended to handle any wild or unknown spider.

Furthermore, the Huntsman spiders are quite large, but how do they appear on your hands? Human hands are approximately 7.5 inches (19.05 cm) in length.

The spider, on the other hand, is about 2.2 to 2.8 cm (1 inch) long, with legs that are 7 to 12 cm (3 to 5 inches) long, for a total length of about 15 cm. The huntsman spider is almost the same size as an average human hand. 

Huntsman Spider Vs Tarantula Size Comparison

Huntsman Spider Size Compared to other types of spiders
Huntsman Spider Size: Explained & Compared With Others

Now that we know how big the Huntsman spider is, let’s compare it to other types of spiders to see what the key similarities and differences are. The Huntsman spiders are so large that they are frequently mistaken for tarantulas. 

In terms of their size, adult tarantulas are five inches (13 centimeters) long on average, with a leg span of up to 11 inches when spread out (28 centimeters). The biggest Tarantula in the world is the Goliath Bird eating tarantula mentioned below. 

Huntsman Spider Vs Goliath Birdeater Size Comparison

The Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula, which is larger than the Huntsman Spider, is next in line for comparison. Furthermore, you might be surprised to learn that the Goliath Birdeater is the world’s largest spider in terms of weight.

The goliath birdeater, on the other hand, has become the world’s largest spider due to its massive body size, weight, and leg span.

This Bird of Goliath Eating tarantulas can grow up to 5 inches in length, have an 11-inch leg span, and weigh 6 ounces. On the other hand, the Huntsman spider is smaller in terms of weight as well as body length.

Spider type Body lengthLeg span Weight 
Huntsman Spider1 inch 3-5 inch 0.024-5.92 ounce 
Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula5 inches 11 inches 6 ounce 

Huntsman Spider Vs Wolf Spider Size Comparison

While huntsman and wolf spiders may appear similar, there are several key differences between them. Huntsman spiders are more aggressive and larger in size, whereas wolf spiders are timider and smaller in size.

Wolf spiders have a shorter leg span than huntsman spiders, measuring only 2-3 inches. The Wolf spider has an overall body length of less than 10 to 35 mm (0.4 to 1.38 in) and weighs less than an ounce.

Spider type Body lengthLeg span Weight 
Huntsman Spider1 inch 3-5 inch 0.024-5.92 ounce 
Wolf spider 0.4-1.38 inch 2-3 inch less than an ounce

Huntsman Spider Vs Brown Recluse Size Comparison

Because of their similar color and markings, the huntsman spider is frequently confused with the brown recluse spider. Huntsman spiders are typically much larger than Brown Recluse spiders, which are only about the size of a quarter.

Recluse spiders are quite small, rarely growing larger than 1/2 inch. Brown recluse spiders have an overall body length of 6 to 20 millimeters (0.24 to 0.79 in) and a leg span of approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch). In terms of their weight, it ranges between 0.001 lbs (0.45 grams).

In comparison to the Huntsman spider, the Brown Recluse is very small and lightweight and it also has a tiny leg span. 

Spider type Body lengthLeg span Weight 
Huntsman Spider1 inch 3-5 inch 0.024-5.92 ounce 
Brown Recluse0.24 to 0.79 inches1 inch 0.016-ounce

Conclusion

And that was everything you need to know about the size of the Huntsman spider. I hope this article was helpful enough and you got something valuable from it.

Thank You For Reading!

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