Badge Huntsman

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Badge Huntsman - Alan Henderson (Minibeast Wildlife)

Neosparassus diana

Body flattened, fawn to orange or pinkish brown, 16-20 mm in length. Males and females are similar although males are slightly smaller.

Details
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Animals
Arachnid - Spider
Former Scientific Name
Heteropoda diana
Biology

Nocturnal. Builds a silky retreat under bark for moulting and laying eggs. The egg sac is a flattish silken capsule which is aggressively guarded by the female.
Distinctive Markings

The first two pairs of legs are much longer than the hind pairs. A dark triangular patch (hence the name 'badge') is found on the underside of the abdomen.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Sparassidae
Genus
Neosparassus
Species
diana
Mainly found in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales, but occurs across Australia.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Huntsman Spiders do not build webs.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore.
Habitat

Hunts for prey on trunks of trees and in foliage. Hides under bark during the day.
Native Status
Native to Australia