Spider In Kandooma Maldives
Wed, Jan 7, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Dear bugman, We found this spider in out open-air bathroom in December, on Kandooma Island, Maldives. It seems to have some legs missing. The tiles were approx an inch square so it gives some idea that this spider was approx 3 inches across. My daughter has worked on the island for 9 months and it’s the first time she ever saw one there. What was it & was it poisonous? Thanksso much, Edwina from UK.
Edwina
Kandooma Island, Maldives
Hi Edwina,
This is a Giant Crab Spider in the family Sparassidae, but we are unable to identify the species. Many spiders in this family are nocturnal hunters that do not build webs. We frequently see individuals from the genus Olios with missing legs. The Giant Crab Spiders are sometimes called Huntsman Spiders.