Huntsman spiders are large, long-legged spiders, measuring up to 1 foot across the legs. Many have flattened bodies adapted for living in narrow spaces under loose bark or inside rock crevices.

In fact, Huntsman spiders are sometimes called banana spiders for their propensity to appear on their namesake fruit shipments. With over 3,500 species of known spiders , Australia is no stranger ...

Less than a foot away, a huntsman spider, about the size of an adult’s hand, was perched near the top of the door — and a dead pygmy possum was dangling from its gleaming black fangs.

Curtin University spider expert Leanda Mason said huntsman family connections were unusual in the spider world. "This particular species is quite social," Dr Mason said. "It's not common in spiders.

A mum has captured the bloodcurdling moment a wasp and huntsman spider faced off in a street battle - but it’s what happened after the fight that has Aussies squirming.