The 'tiger' huntsman.
Image: Alan Henderson
Source: Alan Henderson
An unusual huntsman spider, one of many invertebrates collected in north Queensland by Live Exhibits staff last December, now appears to be an undescribed species.
Spider taxonomists around Australia have been unable to identify this very distinctive huntsman from photographs, and the species doesn’t appear to be in museum collections.
Confirmation of it being undescribed will be possible after the spider dies, when it can be examined more closely. At present however, it is very much alive and Live Exhibits staff are keen to keep it that way for some time yet.
The 'tiger huntsman', as it has become known is feeding voraciously upon a diet of cockroaches and crickets, but unfortunately is the only specimen of the species which was found.
It has amazing abilities, and has been observed leaping a distance of 15cm whilst turning in mid-air to land on an opposing surface. This impressive animal has just made its debut on display in Bugs Alive!