Huntsman spiders, known for their size and speed, are common inhabitants of homes and natural environments across warm temperate and tropical regions globally, including much of Australia. These arachnids are characterized by their large, flattened bodies, often grey or brown in coloration, and legs that spread outwards in a crab-like fashion. Huntsman spiders do not build webs to catch prey; instead, they are active hunters, relying on their agility to pursue and capture insects like cockroaches, moths, and crickets. While their appearance can be startling, huntsman spiders are generally not aggressive towards humans and play a role in their ecosystems as insect predators.
Avian Predators
Birds represent a significant group of natural predators for huntsman spiders, utilizing their aerial advantage to spot and capture these arachnids. Kookaburras, for instance, are known to prey on huntsman spiders, often observed swooping down to seize them from walls or tree trunks. Once captured, the kookaburra may repeatedly strike the spider against a hard surface to subdue it before consumption. Other insectivorous and omnivorous birds, such as magpies and currawongs, also opportunistically feed on large spiders, including huntsman species. Their varied diets and keen eyesight make them effective hunters of ground-dwelling and arboreal spiders.
Reptilian and Amphibian Hunters
Reptiles and amphibians frequently encounter huntsman spiders due to overlapping habitats, leading to predation by various species. Lizards like geckos and skinks are known to consume huntsman spiders, with larger monitor lizards also preying on them. These predators might actively pursue spiders or ambush them. Snakes, including both venomous and non-venomous species, also contribute to their predation. Frogs and toads will also opportunistically consume smaller individuals.
Invertebrate Predators
Among invertebrates, notable hunters like spider wasps (family Pompilidae) are predators of huntsman spiders. These wasps paralyze the spider with a venomous sting, then drag the immobilized arachnid to a burrow or nest, where it serves as food for the developing wasp larva. Other predatory invertebrates, such as praying mantises and scorpions, also prey on huntsman spiders, especially smaller specimens. Larger, more aggressive spider species may also engage in cannibalistic behavior, preying on huntsman spiders when territories overlap. These encounters often involve direct confrontation.