Huntsman Spiders are eight-eyed spiders. Their eyes appear in two largely forward-facing rows of four on the anterior aspect of the prosoma. Sometimes confused with tarantulas, huntsman spiders can generally be identified by their legs, which, rather than being jointed vertically relative to the body, are twisted in such a way that in some attitudes the legs extend forward in a crab-like fashion.
On their upper surfaces the main colours of huntsman spiders are inconspicuous shades of brown or gray, but many species have undersides more or less aposematically marked in black-and-white, with reddish patches over the mouthparts. Their legs bear fairly prominent spines, but the rest of their bodies are smoothly furry. They tend to live under rocks, bark and similar shelters. The eyesight of these spiders is not nearly as good as that of the (jumping spiders; nevertheless, their vision is quite sufficient to detect approaching humans or other large animals from some distance.
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