RECENT NEWS
Huntsman Spider Named Fastest on Earth: Australian Native Clocks 3.59 Metres per Second; That's Faster Than a Human Jog
Australia's brown huntsman spider has been officially crowned the fastest spider on Earth, clocking a blistering 3.59 metres per second (13 km/h) in a comprehensive study of 258 species. The research, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, found the Queensland native's medium size and long legs give it a perfect "sweet spot" for speed. The humble huntsman spider, a common sight in Australian homes, has claimed an unexpected title: the fastest spider on the planet. A new study of 258 spider species has clocked the brown huntsman at a staggering 3.59 metres per second that's roughly 13 kilometres per hour. While that might not sound like much to a human runner, it's faster than the average jog, and at close range, this eight-legged sprinter could easily catch you before you had time to accelerate. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Greifswald and Imperial College London, involved testing 236 individual spiders from 162 species, collected from Europe, North America, and Australia. They combined these new measurements with previously published data on a further 96 species, creating the most comprehensive database of spider running speeds ever compiled. What Mak...
