7 Shocking Facts About The Huntsman Spider That Ate A Possum: A Deep Dive Into Australia’s Viral Nightmare

The internet was set ablaze in recent years, and the story continues to resurface in December 2025, by a photo that encapsulates the terrifying wonder of Australian wildlife: a massive Huntsman spider devouring an entire possum. This incredible, yet horrifying, image was not a hoax or a sci-fi movie prop, but a genuine act of opportunistic predation captured in a remote Tasmanian lodge. The sighting immediately sparked a global debate, forcing scientists and arachnophobes alike to confront the reality of a spider capable of taking down a mammal significantly larger than its typical insect prey.

This article dives deep into the context of this extraordinary event, exploring the species involved, the rarity of such a kill, and the scientific reasons why this particular Huntsman decided to trade its usual cockroach dinner for a tiny, unsuspecting marsupial. Prepare to have your understanding of the arachnid world—and the dangers of the Australian bush—fundamentally changed.

The Iconic Encounter: Biography of the Predator and Prey

The viral photo, originally shared by New Zealander Justine Latton, showcased a brutal, yet fascinating, wildlife moment inside a lodge at Mount Field National Park, Tasmania. The encounter involved two distinct and iconic Australian species, one typically a hunter of insects, the other a tiny, nectar-loving marsupial.

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The Predator: The Huntsman Spider (Family: Sparassidae)

• Family: Sparassidae
• Common Name: Huntsman Spider (or Social Huntsman, possibly Delena cancerides in Tasmania)
• Size: Can reach a leg span of up to 15 cm (6 inches) or more, with some species reaching up to 30 cm. The spider in the photo was described as being about the size of an adult's hand.
• Habitat: Found worldwide, but common in Tasmania, often found under loose bark, in cracks, or in human dwellings (ski lodges, sheds, etc.).
• Primary Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, such as cockroaches and crickets. They are known to be beneficial pest controllers.
• Hunting Style: Huntsman spiders are known for their speed, not their webs. They actively stalk and ambush prey, relying on powerful venom to quickly subdue their victims.

The Prey: The Eastern Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus nanus)

• Species: Cercartetus nanus
• Common Name: Eastern Pygmy Possum
• Size: A tiny marsupial, weighing only between 15 and 43 grams, and reaching a maximum body length of about 5.5 to 11 cm (2.5 to 4.3 inches).
• Habitat: Found in Tasmania and parts of mainland Australia, living in forests and woodlands.
• Primary Diet: Primarily an herbivore, it uses its brush-tipped tongue to feed on nectar and pollen from native plants like eucalypts, banksias, and bottlebrushes. Its diet is supplemented by small insects and fruit.
• Ecological Role: An important pollinator for many native Australian plants.

The Rarity of a Spider Eating a Mammal

While the image is shocking, the predation of a vertebrate by a spider is a highly unusual, yet documented, phenomenon. The Huntsman spider's typical diet consists of invertebrates, making this particular meal a spectacular example of opportunistic predation.

Spiders, including Huntsman species, possess venom that is designed to immobilize and predigest their prey. When an opportunity arises, a large, fast-moving arachnid can successfully ambush a small, slow-moving vertebrate like a rodent, a frog, a bat, or in this case, a tiny possum.

The Eastern Pygmy Possum’s small size—just a few inches long and weighing less than a golf ball—made it vulnerable. The Huntsman was likely a large, mature female, capable of overpowering the tiny marsupial. This size disparity, though still impressive, is what made the successful kill possible.

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7 Shocking Facts That Define This Encounter

The viral photo is more than just a terrifying image; it's a snapshot of a rare ecological event that reveals surprising facts about the natural world.

1. It Was Likely the Social Huntsman (*Delena cancerides*)

While definitive identification is difficult from a photo, the Huntsman species most commonly associated with Tasmania and known for its size is the Social Huntsman, *Delena cancerides*. This species is unique because it lives in colonies under bark, making it a very successful hunter in its environment.

2. Pygmy Possums Are Vulnerable to Invertebrate Predators

Despite being a mammal, the Eastern Pygmy Possum is so small that it is essentially prey-sized for a truly large arachnid. It’s a nocturnal creature that frequently forages for nectar and pollen high up in trees and bushes, putting it in direct contact with arboreal hunters like the Huntsman spider.

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3. This Predation is a Global Phenomenon, Not Just Australian

While this event is iconic to Australia, the phenomenon of spiders eating vertebrates is documented worldwide. Researchers in the Amazon rainforest have recorded large spiders, particularly tarantulas (like those in the genus *Pamphobeteus*), preying on mouse opossums and small frogs. This suggests that when the opportunity arises, spiders will take advantage of any available food source, regardless of class.

4. Huntsman Spiders Do Not Build Webs for Hunting

The Huntsman is a "true" hunter, relying on speed and brute force rather than a sticky web. They are part of the family Sparassidae, known for their crab-like leg structure and sideways movement. The spider had to actively stalk, ambush, and subdue the possum with a powerful bite and rapid envenomation.

5. The Spider Doesn't "Eat" in the Traditional Sense

Like all spiders, the Huntsman does not chew its food. Once the pygmy possum was subdued, the spider injected digestive enzymes that liquefied the marsupial's internal organs and tissues. The spider then sucks up the resulting liquid, leaving behind only the possum's skin, bones, and fur. This brutal process is common for arachnids consuming large prey.

6. The Possum Itself Eats Spiders and Insects

In a twist of nature's irony, the Eastern Pygmy Possum's diet is supplemented by insects and invertebrates. This means the possum was likely a predator of smaller spiders and bugs before it became prey itself. The circle of life in the Australian bush is unforgiving.

7. The Event Highlights the Importance of Opportunistic Feeding

Most scientists agree that the Huntsman did not specifically hunt for a possum. Instead, the small mammal likely wandered too close to the spider's hiding spot—perhaps a crack in the lodge wall or a door frame—and the spider, driven by hunger and instinct, seized the rare opportunity. This kind of spectacular, cross-class predation is more a matter of chance and a large size difference than a regular dietary choice.

Conclusion: An Unforgettable Moment in Wildlife History

The image of the Huntsman spider eating the possum remains one of the most viral and enduring symbols of Australia's intense natural environment. It serves as a powerful reminder that while the Huntsman spider is generally harmless to humans and a useful controller of pests like cockroaches, its sheer size and venomous capability make it a formidable predator in its own right. The encounter in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, was a once-in-a-lifetime sighting, a spectacular, if unsettling, demonstration of the food chain's flexibility and the surprising power of the often-underestimated arachnid world. It’s a tale of survival and a testament to the raw, untamed nature of the Australian bush that continues to fascinate and horrify the world.