Last summer, I nearly crashed my car when a huntsman spider emerged from my sun visor! Let’s explore these eight-legged neighbors that give us the creepy-crawlies and set the record straight.
Unlike the huntsman spider, which depends on speed, tarantulas utilize their molting process to grow larger and more resilient.
Key Points:
- Huntsman spiders are faster than tarantulas
- Tarantulas live longer than huntsman spiders
- Neither spider has caused verified human deaths
- Huntsman spiders don’t build webs, while tarantulas build some silk linings
- Tarantulas have special urticating hairs for defense
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Tarantula | Huntsman Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Theraphosidae | Sparassidae |
| Leg Span | 4-11 inches | 6-12 inches |
| Body Size | 1.6-3.5 inches | 0.6-1.4 inches |
| Lifespan | Females: 15-30 years | Females: 2-2.5 years |
| Speed | About 1 mph | Up to 3 mph |
| Defense | Urticating hairs, biting | Speed, flattening body |
What They Look Like
Have you ever played the “is that a dust bunny or a tarantula?” game in a poorly lit room? I have! Tarantulas are chunky, fuzzy fellows that look like they’ve been hitting the spider gym. Their bodies are big and bulky, like tiny bodybuilders with too many legs. Most rock the classic brown or black look, but some fancy pet types dress in colors that would make a peacock jealous. The Mexican redknee tarantula sports bright orange knee pads – talk about making a fashion statement!
Huntsman spiders, on the other hand, are the track stars of the spider world. They’re built like race cars – sleek, flat, and ready to zoom. Their legs stretch forward like they’re perpetually reaching for a finish line. While smaller in the body department than their tarantula cousins, their legs can stretch just as far. The badge huntsman wears what looks like a tiny sheriff’s badge on its back – as if it’s policing your wall corners!
Dr. Robert Raven from the Australian Museum says, “The easiest way to tell them apart is by their body shape. Huntsman spiders are built for speed with a flat body to hide in tight spaces.” I couldn’t agree more – it’s like comparing a monster truck to a Ferrari!
Where They Live
My camping trip in Arizona last year came with an unexpected tentmate – a desert tarantula checking out my sleeping bag! These eight-legged wanderers have real estate preferences just like us.
Tarantulas are picky about their neighborhoods and prefer:
- Warm places (they hate the cold as much as I hate Monday mornings)
- Burrows in the ground (their version of a basement apartment)
- Amazon rainforest (tropical luxury living)
- Desert-adapted tarantulas live in dry areas (the spider equivalent of desert hermits)
- Parts of America, Asia, Africa, and Australia (international citizens)
Huntsman spiders are the unwanted houseguests who never leave and tend to favor:
- Warm to mild places (they’re not fans of winter either)
- Under tree bark and rocks (natural spider condos)
- Inside houses and cars (especially your sun visor, as I learned the hard way!)
- Australian outback (where everything seems designed to frighten humans)
- Asia, Africa, Australia, and parts of the Americas (global travelers)
The areas where both spiders might bump into each other at the spider grocery store include parts of Australia and some tropical regions. The giant huntsman was discovered playing hide-and-seek in a cave in Laos, probably thinking, “This’ll freak them out!”
How They Act
When it comes to personality, these spiders are as different as a tortoise and a hare. Tarantulas move like they’re always stuck in spider traffic – slow and deliberate. They’re the ambush predators of the spider world, playing the waiting game rather than chasing down dinner. They don’t bother with full webs but line their burrows with silk – think of it as simple home decoration. Many pet tarantulas actually have the temperament of a grumpy old cat – leave them alone, and they’ll return the favor.
Huntsman spiders, faster than my nephew when the ice cream truck arrives, are the speed demons of arachnids. They chase down their food with all the enthusiasm of a kid playing tag. The silver lining to finding one in your house? They’re nature’s pest control, munching on cockroaches and other unwanted bugs. It’s like having an unpaid exterminator, albeit one that might give you a heart attack when it darts across the ceiling.
When frightened, tarantulas employ their secret weapon – urticating hairs – tiny irritating hairs they kick off their bellies faster than a celebrity changing outfits. It’s their way of saying, “Back off, buddy!” Huntsman spiders, meanwhile, just floor it – their escape plan is pure speed.
According to the Arachnological Society of America, “Huntsman spiders are among the fastest arachnids, reaching speeds that make them almost impossible to catch when startled.” Tell me about it! My attempt to catch one last month looked like a slapstick comedy routine.
Are They Dangerous?
Despite looking like they crawled straight out of a Halloween horror movie, both these spiders are about as dangerous as a teddy bear with attitude. After the 2023 viral TikTok “Spider Challenge” where people exaggerated spider encounters, it’s time for some spider truth!
Tarantula venom causes:
- Pain like a bee sting (or stepping on a Lego in the dark)
- Swelling (nothing an ice pack and dramatic storytelling can’t fix)
- Sometimes mild cramping (less painful than most Monday mornings)
- No verified human deaths (unlike what Hollywood would have you believe)
Huntsman venom causes:
- Mild pain (about as troublesome as a paper cut)
- Minor swelling (less than what happens when I eat too much salt)
- Rarely, headache (milder than what I get from tax forms)
- No verified human deaths (they’re scary, not deadly)
The World Spider Catalog confirms neither spider has venom strong enough to kill healthy humans. They’re more “all bark, no bite” than “silent but deadly.”
Which Makes a Better Pet?
If you’re looking to add an eight-legged member to your family (and explain to first-time visitors why they shouldn’t scream), here’s the scoop:
Tarantulas are popular pets because:
- They live a long time (females up to 30 years – longer than some of my houseplants last!)
- They have simple care needs (less demanding than my cat)
- Many species are docile (more relaxed than my high-strung terrier)
- The Chilean rose tarantula is good for beginners (the spider equivalent of a starter Pokémon)
Huntsman spiders rarely become pets because:
- They’re too fast to handle safely (like trying to catch confetti in a windstorm)
- They don’t live very long (their life expectancy is shorter than smartphone upgrades)
- They need more space to run (they’re the marathon runners of the spider world)
Natural Enemies
Even the toughest spiders have to watch their backs. Just last week, I watched a documentary where a wasp took down a tarantula – nature’s version of David versus Goliath!
Both spiders need to watch out for:
- Birds (the ultimate aerial threat)
- Lizards (who think spiders are the perfect crunchy snack)
- Mammals (including humans with rolled-up magazines)
- Parasitic wasps that lay eggs in spiders (nature’s most disturbing maternity ward)
The Brazilian wandering spider and Sydney funnel-web spider are often mixed up with these spiders, but they are much more dangerous. It’s like confusing a playful dolphin with a great white shark – both swim, but one is more likely to ruin your beach day!
Final Answer: Which Is More Dangerous?
After my close encounters with both species while hiking through Australia in 2022 (a trip my anxiety won’t let me forget), I can confidently say: Neither the tarantula nor the huntsman spider is out to get you. The huntsman spider would rather use its speed to escape faster than a teenager asked to do chores. The tarantula moves slower but may stand its ground like a tiny, fuzzy bouncer.
Dr. Linda Fischer of the Natural History Museum says, “People fear these spiders because of their size, but their spider bite toxicity is low. Most bites happen when people try to handle them badly.” In other words, don’t poke the spider, and the spider won’t poke you!
If you want to learn more about identifying different spider species (and impress your friends with your arachnid knowledge), the Australian Museum’s Spider Identification Guide is a helpful resource.
Remember: both spiders would rather avoid you than bite you! They’re more scared of us than we are of them – though after my sun visor incident, I find that hard to believe!
