Cane spider

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Cane spider
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Arachnida Order: Araneae Suborder: Araneomorphae Family: Sparassidae Genus: Heteropoda Species: H. venatoria
Binomial name
Heteropoda venatoria (Linnaeus, 1767)
Synonyms
Aranea venatoria Aranea regia Aranea pallens Thomisus leucosius Micrommata setulosa Ocypete setulosa Olios leucosius Olios antillianus Olios freycineti Olios colombianus Ocypete pallens Olius setulosus Ocypete murina Ocypete draco Olios albifrons Olios javensis Olios gabonensis Olios zonatus Olios lunula Sparassus ammanita Ocypete bruneiceps Olios leucosius Olius regius Sarotes regius Helicops maderiana Sarotes venatorius Palystes maderianus Olios maderianus Heteropoda ferina H. regia H. ocellata Palystes ledleyi H. squamacea Sinopoda pengi H. shimen Sinopoda venatoria

In Hawaii, the term "Cane Spider" is the nickname for the common Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda Venatoria). This spider is found in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including Asia, the Caribbean islands, the Southeastern US, and (especially) Australia.

It is believed that this spider was introduced to Hawaii from Asia. As the nickname implies, cane spiders are often found in sugar cane fields. At about three to five inches in length, cane spiders appear menacing but are in fact mostly timid and will flee from humans. If cornered and/or provoked they may bite and may rarely inject venom, which is not lethal and leaves no long term problems.

The female Cane Spider can be recognized by her stout body and the pillow-like egg sac that she often carries under her. The male typically has a slender body, longer and thinner legs, and a distinctive pattern on his carapace. Both male and female are reddish-brown to grayish-brown in color, and slightly hairy.

Cane spiders do not spin webs, and are welcomed in many homes as they feed on pests such as cockroaches and silverfish. Their exceptional agility and speed, as well as their ability to contort and squeeze through tight spaces, give them a strong advantage both in capturing prey and evading predators. They feed at night, which is another thing that makes them frightening to humans.