Huntsman

Fact Box Species: Heteropoda cervina (RM) or a closely related species Family: Sparassidae formerly Heteropodidae Body length: female: 30 mm male: 26 mm Habitat: Under loose bark , especially of eucalypts, or in man-made constructions; though the body is large and more rounded than some other huntsmen species this spider can climb walls efficiently and males often wander inside in late summer and autumn Toxicity: May be mildly toxic to humans and may cause necrotising arachnidism

Male, front view Oblique view Male palps With its egg sac

This species appears to be comparatively rare in the Toowoomba region although it is quite common around Brisbane.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Heteropoda jugulans, Isopedella flavida and Pediana regina.