Head to head
Wolf Spider vs Giant Huntsman Spider
Come across a big, fast spider running across the floor with no web in sight and it is probably a wolf spider or a huntsman. Both are chase hunters rather than trappers, both are frequent house guests, and both are harmless to people, but they are built differently and belong to separate families.
| Wolf Spider | Giant Huntsman Spider | |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Wolf spiders (Lycosidae) | Huntsman spiders (Sparassidae) |
| Leg posture | Legs angled forward, more compact | Legs splayed sideways, crab-like; can walk sideways |
| Leg span | Up to about 7–10 cm | Commonly 10–15 cm; the giant huntsman about 30 cm |
| Eyes | Two large forward eyes plus four small; strong night vision and eyeshine | Eight smaller eyes in two rows; less obvious eyeshine |
| Web | None; hunts on the ground, some dig burrows | None; lives flat under bark, on walls, and in cars |
| Speed | Fast bursts across open ground | Very fast, especially sideways and into crevices |
| Parental care | Female carries the egg sac, then the young on her abdomen | Female guards a flat silk egg sac and the young for weeks |
| Where you find it indoors | Floor level, along walls, in the garage | High on walls and ceilings, behind frames, in cars |
| Bite | Defensive, like a bee sting, no lasting effect | Reluctant; a large one can give a painful bite but no dangerous venom |
Wolf Spider vs Huntsman Spider: common questions
How do I tell a wolf spider from a huntsman?
Look at the legs and the way it moves. A huntsman holds its legs out to the sides like a crab and can scuttle sideways, often flattened against a wall or ceiling. A wolf spider is stockier, holds its legs more forward, stays near the ground, and its eyes reflect torchlight brightly.
Are either of them dangerous?
No. Both are harmless to humans. Wolf spider bites are rare and feel like a bee sting. Huntsman spiders almost never bite and would rather flee at speed; a bite from a big one hurts but carries no medically important venom. Both are useful, eating cockroaches and other pests.
Which one is bigger?
Usually the huntsman. Many huntsman species span 10–15 cm across the legs, and the giant huntsman spider of Laos, at around 30 cm, has the largest leg span of any known spider. Wolf spiders are heavy-bodied but rarely span more than about 10 cm.