People usually start looking into keeping a huntsman spider after one has appeared on a wall or ceiling — fast, flat, and surprisingly large — and the question shifts from “should I be worried?” to “could I actually keep one?” The stakes are mostly practical: safety, humane housing, and whether your home setup can meet the spider’s needs without stress (yours or the spider’s).
Huntsman spiders (family Sparassidae) are widely regarded as low-risk to people, but they can still bite if handled or trapped, and the bite can hurt. The notes below focus on what’s known about their behaviour, what “safe enough” really means, and how to set up simple, secure housing if you’re keeping one temporarily or long-term.1, 2, 3, 4
Quick facts (what most people want to confirm)
Common name: Huntsman spider
Scientific group: Family Sparassidae3
Size: Often described by leg span; some can appear very large on a wall (size varies by species).4
Habitat: Many species occur across Australia and use bark, rock crevices and human buildings as shelter.4
Behaviour: Mostly nocturnal hunters; fast runners; excellent climbers on many indoor surfaces.4
Diet: Predatory; takes insects and other invertebrates (and, opportunistically, small vertebrates).4
Threat level to people: Generally low. Bites are usually local pain and swelling, but some huntsman (notably “badge huntsman” in the genus Neosparassus) are reported to cause more unpleasant symptoms in some cases.2, 4
Are huntsman spiders “good pets”?
They’re often kept because they tolerate simple captive conditions and are interesting to observe, but “easy” can be misleading. Huntsman spiders are built for movement — wide-ranging, wall-climbing ambush and pursuit — so the main challenge is not feeding, but containment and calm handling.
For many households, the most humane and least stressful option is still capture-and-release outdoors (or leaving the spider in place if it’s not causing problems). If you do keep one, plan for a secure enclosure and minimal handling.
Safety: bites, symptoms, and first aid
Huntsman spiders are not classed among Australia’s medically significant spiders, and bites are uncommon because they tend to run rather than stand their ground. Still, a bite can happen if the spider is pressed against skin (in bedding, clothing, towels) or grabbed during capture.
What a huntsman bite can feel like
- Local pain and swelling are commonly described effects.4, 5
- Some species (including badge huntsman, Neosparassus) have been associated with more intense local pain and broader symptoms such as sweating, nausea and vomiting in some reports.2
Simple first aid (Australia)
- Wash the area with soap and water.1, 6
- Use a cold pack (wrapped in cloth) to reduce pain and swelling.1, 2, 6
- Seek medical advice urgently for severe pain, worsening symptoms, young children, or any signs of a serious allergic reaction (such as swelling of the face/lips/tongue, wheeze, or trouble breathing).1, 6
Choosing a huntsman species (and why it matters)
“Huntsman” is a broad group, not one species. Behaviour, adult size, and defensiveness can vary, especially around egg sacs. If you can’t identify the spider confidently, treat it as a look-don’t-touch pet and avoid risky handling.
One practical note: some huntsman (such as badge huntsman, Neosparassus) are more often mentioned in bite reports with stronger symptoms, so identification matters for your own risk assessment.2
Habitat setup: a secure, simple enclosure
Huntsman spiders are escape artists. A “perfect” setup is less about decoration and more about containment, airflow, and a place to hide.
Enclosure essentials
- Secure lid: Tight-fitting and escape-proof (no gaps around vents or doors).
- Ventilation: Good airflow helps prevent stale, overly damp conditions.
- Vertical structure: Bark, cork, or branches for climbing, plus at least one dark retreat.
- Substrate: A simple base layer (so spills can be cleaned and humidity managed), kept on the dry side unless you have a reason to increase moisture.
Temperature and humidity
Rather than chasing a single “ideal” number, aim for stable, room-like conditions and avoid extremes (heat spikes, direct sun on the enclosure, or persistently wet substrate). Many Australian huntsman are comfortable across typical indoor temperatures, provided they have shelter and ventilation.4
Feeding and water
In captivity, huntsman spiders are usually maintained on appropriately sized live insects. The most reliable routine is small meals at intervals, with the spider’s abdomen size and activity guiding frequency rather than a strict schedule.
- Offer prey the spider can subdue without prolonged struggle.
- Remove uneaten insects so they don’t harass the spider, especially around moulting.
- Provide water as droplets on the enclosure wall or a very shallow dish (drowning risk is low but not zero, and humidity can rise if water is left to evaporate in a poorly ventilated tank).
Handling: keep it minimal
Huntsman spiders are best treated as an observational animal. They move quickly, and a startled sprint across hands or up an arm is how most “pet huntsman” stories end.
- Use a cup-and-card method for transfers rather than bare hands.
- Move slowly; avoid cornering the spider against glass.
- Never handle during or soon after moulting, when the spider is soft and easily injured.
Health issues (spider health and human health)
In captivity, most problems come from husbandry: dehydration, poor ventilation, overheating, or stress from constant disturbance. A huntsman that hides continuously, refuses food for long periods (outside seasonal shifts), or shows abnormal posture may be reacting to conditions rather than “illness”.
For people, the main issues after any spider bite are pain management, allergic reaction risk (rare), and secondary infection if the skin is broken. Standard first aid advice in Australia emphasises cleaning the bite site and using a cold pack, with medical review for severe symptoms or vulnerable people.1, 6
When keeping one makes sense (and when it doesn’t)
Keeping a huntsman can be reasonable if you can provide an escape-proof enclosure, keep handling to near zero, and you’re comfortable with a fast-moving animal living in your care for months or longer.
If your plan relies on frequent handling, or if the household includes someone with severe allergies or a high level of anxiety around spiders, it’s often kinder to release the spider and choose a different kind of pet.
References
- Australian Red Cross — First aid for someone with a spider bite
- Australian Museum — Badge huntsman spiders (Neosparassus) (bite symptoms and advice)
- Australian Museum — Spiders (education resources)
- Australian Geographic — Huntsman spider (fact file)
- University of the Sunshine Coast — The huntsman spider: our hidden and hairy heroes
- healthdirect — Spider bites (first aid and when to seek help)
- Australian Museum — Spider bites and venoms
- Australian Museum — Spider facts
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom