Brown Huntsman Spider
The Brown Huntsman Spider, Heteropoda Venatoria, sometimes called the Giant Crab Spider or the Banana Spider (due to its occasional appearance in marketed bananas), is found in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world. It is presumed to have been introduced from Asia. It is sometimes mistaken for a large Brown Recluse, a poisonous spider. But this Brown Huntsman is not a dangerous type but once bitten will be very painful.
The Brown Huntsman Spider is a large brown spider with a flattened body structure and very little dorsal pattern. Adult specimens have a body length of 2.2cm to 2.8cm, and a leg span of approximately 7 to 12cm. The females have a larger abdomen than the males but the males have longer legs than the females. Females can be recognized by her stout body and the pillow-like egg sac that she often carries under her. The males have slender body with dark stripe on the abdomen, pattern on his carapace and longer legs. Both sexes have black spots on the legs and slightly hairy. Although they are rather fearsome in appearance, they are very easily alarmed by humans and will very rapidly flee.
The Brown Huntsman Spiders feed on cockroaches and other domestic insect pests. They do not use webs to capture their prey. These spiders are known to hunt by waiting quietly and rush to their prey within close range and usually at night. Their great speed and ability to squeeze with their strong chelicerae (mouthparts) are used to capture the prey.
Spider, my Pet
Two months ago, I found a spider in my living room but I just ignored it. After few days, I found the same spider in my kitchen and this time I caught it with a plastic cup. I was quite afraid at first because it was huge compare with common small spiders.
Then I noticed this spider has only 7 legs. Its right second last leg is gone! By the way this picture taken when it's feed with a housefly.
After few days, something surprise me..it changed skin just like snake. And the 8th leg came out with pale colour. I never knew a spider can change skin and the injured leg can grow out like a lizard grows a tail!! Amazing..
This is its "skin" that I need to remove it from its "cup cage"...
After few days, the 8th leg became more stronger and covered with normal skin. This picture taken when it feeds with a golden housefly...yummy...
After 2 months, my pet getting bigger and this is the 4th time it changes its skin. This time, it really grows a lot and I'm a bit get disgusted by it but I can't throw it away now just because it grows bigger.. It's been pampered by me with all the houseflies, small spiders, crickets and insects everyday..
Anyway, I've noticed that before it wanted to change its skin, it will lose appetite for 2 to 3 days. Wanted to see how it changes the skin but it always happened in the night when no one notice it...
It loves to eat cricket so much... If it eats something big like cricket, it will turn here and there and use a bit of web maybe to stabilize its balance...
