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Huntsman Spider
Sparassidae (Palystes superciliosus)
-23.866, 35.3844
Field Notes
Description:
This furry fellow found his way into my Bungalo! Thanks to some noah support I now know it is a type of Huntsman Spider, but locally in the region i found it, it is named Rain Spider due to its habits seeking shelter before rain storms, often entering human habitations when doing so.
Habitat:
Its preferred habitat is scrubland and savannah woodland.
It is common in South Africa, but this one was found in Mozambique.
Notes:
After mating in the early summer, the female constructs a round egg sac about 60–100 mm in size made of silk, with twigs and leaves woven into it. These egg sacs are commonly seen from about November to April.
A funny fact:
An experiment was done in 1959 where a Palystes superciliosus was allowed to bite an adult guinea pig on the nose. The guinea pig died within 7 minutes, leading to a belief that the spider's venom was dangerous. However, further research on anaesthetized guinea pigs showed that the original guinea pig had actually died of shock, rather than as a result of the spider's venom. In humans the bite is no more dangerous than a bee sting. It causes a burning sensation, and swelling which lasts for a few days. Recovery is spontaneous and complete.
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