Huntsman spiders – Everything you need to know

Last Updated: December 7, 2025

Gordon Reidy

Spider information

Huntsman spiders are probably the largest and scariest!) spiders in New Zealand. They have been introduced from Australia and their main populations are in Auckland (the Avondale spider) and Christchurch. Their size, fast movement and ability to “jump”, coupled with their habit of finding their way into houses and cars, has frightened an increasing number of New Zealanders! However, in reality these spiders do more good than harm.

Huntsman Spider Bite

Huntsman Spider Bite Symptoms

Despite its size and fast movement, huntsman spiders are generally not aggressive, although they will get more aggressive if cornered. Females guarding their egg sacs can also be more aggressive.

Their mild bite only normally causes localised swelling and pain, which subsides within an hour. Occasionally victims may get a headache and mild nausea.

Huntsman Spider Bite Treatment

Following a huntsman spider bite you should follow the standard spider bite first aid:

The patient should sit down and try to relax
Clean the bite with water and disinfectant
Apply an ice pack to the bite area
If possible, collect the spider or take a picture for identification (if medical treatment is required)
If symptoms worsen seek medical attention

Medical Disclaimer: While we make every effort to make sure the information in this website is accurate and informative, the information does not take the place of professional or medical advice.

Huntsman Spider Identification

What do huntsman spiders look like?

Australia has over 100 different species of huntsman, covering a wide range of different habitats. Although they generally like warmer temperatures, a number of species are perfectly capably of living in New Zealand, especially on the North Island. They are a long legged, fast running spider and their bodies are flattened to allow them to squeeze into tight spaces (under bark, rocks… and sheets!). Whilst their body size may be similar to other large spiders (up to 2 cm), their leg span is a lot larger, often up to 15 cm.

Most huntsman are a grey / brown colour, with bands on their legs. Their mottled colouration gives them camouflage on the trees and rocks where they live.

Huntsman spiders size

The biggest species of huntsman is the giant huntsman found in Laos, with a leg span of 30 cm. However, the largest huntsman most people will come across in New Zealand is the grey huntsman (Holconia immanis) with a leg span of up to 23 cm. The Avondale spider or communal huntsman has a leg span of up to 15cm.

Where do huntsman spiders live?

Many huntsman spiders have very flattened bodies allowing them to squeeze under the rocks and the bark of trees where they live. This also allows them to squeeze around closed doors and through other gaps into your car and under doors and windows into your home!

Although they may be looking for potential prey, huntsman spiders will often find their way into your home during the warmer months to get away from the summer heat. Squeezing into gaps under doors and windows is natural behaviour and so makes them feel right at home.

Most spiders are nomadic, only coming together to mate. However, the Avondale spider, the social huntsman (Delena cancerides), which lives under the bark of trees, will live together in social groups of up to 150 spiders. This certainly is the stuff of nightmares and indeed was used as the “talent” in the film Arachnophobia.

Do huntsman spiders make webs?

Huntsman spiders don’t build webs. As their name suggests they are hunting spiders, coming out at night to search for prey. They will eat a wide range of animals, mainly insects (including cockroaches!) so they can be pretty useful to have around. But huntsman have predators too and they are preyed on by geckos, other spiders and potter wasps.

huntsman spider with egg sack — A female huntsman spider guarding her egg sack

Huntsman Spider Lifecycle

Huntsman spiders eggs

Female huntsman produce a flat, oval egg sac of silk in which she lays around 200 eggs. Although some species will carry the egg case, others will place the egg sac in a sheltered spot and stand guard over it. It may take the eggs up to 3 weeks to hatch and during this period the female may become aggressive whilst protecting her egg case.

Baby huntsman spiders

Once the spiderlings have hatched the female huntsman will often stay with them for several weeks. The young huntsman start out pale and gradually get darker with each moult as they grow.

Spiders grow by moulting. These old skins are often found hanging from surfaces and will give you an indication that huntsman are around (and an idea of their size!).

How long does a huntsman spider live?

Huntsman spiders can live for 2 years or more. They need to moult to grow and so go through many moults to grow from small spiderling to large adult. Old cuticles (which look like dead spiders) can often be seen around the outside of buildings and garages.

What do huntsman spiders eat?

Huntsman spiders generally eat other invertebrates, but occasionally will catch small lizards.

Huntsman themselves are prey for a variety of animals including birds and spider wasps, which paralyse them and drag them to their nest and lay an egg on them. The emerging wasp larva then has fresh meat on which to feed!

Huntsman Spiders – FAQ

Are huntsman spiders venomous?

Although their bite is lethal to insects, their venom is not particularly toxic to humans.

Are huntsman spiders dangerous?

Despite their scary appearance, huntsman spiders are not considered dangerous. They are not particularly aggressive (apart from females guarding their eggs) and their bite is not particularly venomous / painful.

What are the huntsman spider bite symptoms?

The mild bite only normally causes localised swelling and pain, which subsides within an hour. Occasionally victims may get a headache and mild nausea

Do huntsman spiders jump?

Huntsman spiders have an unusual leg arrangement – they sit away from the body – which gives rise to their alternative name, giant crab spiders. Huntsman do sometimes ‘jump’, or more often ‘fall’ from a surface to escape, but it’s their speed that is their real asset.

Huntsman spiders are fast. Some of the fastest huntsman can cover 30-40 times their body length a second – up to 5m metres per second for some of the biggest spiders. This is around half the maximum speed of Usain Bolt!

How to get rid of huntsman spiders

Homeowners often want to know how to get rid of huntsman spiders. As huntsman spiders are a nomadic spider with no fixed hiding place, it is quite difficult to target huntsman with a treatment. However, as they are hanging around your home looking for potential prey, a general pest treatment to the outside of the house to eliminate insects and web-building spiders, will make your house less attractive to huntsman.

Keeping the perimeter of your home clear of vegetation and garden beds, and ensuring your insect screens are in good order and well fitting, will also help.

More information on how to get rid of spiders…

Originally Published: December 7, 2025

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