This spider is found throughout southern India and is often referred to as the "coconut spider" or "two-tailed spider". In addition to southern India, it can also be seen in Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
The coconut spider belongs to the genus Hersilia savignyi, which includes several other related species.
Coconut spiders usually make their home on the trunks of large trees, especially coconut trees. This is the main reason why they are often called coconut spiders. Its color is very similar to that of the trunk of the tree in which it lives.
Coconut spiders eat insects, such as moths and ants, as well as other smaller spiders. Although they prefer protein-rich diets over carbohydrates, they can eat carbohydrate-containing foods if they are stressed and forced to make choices. In addition, spiders are allergic to seafood. Usually, coconut spiders place cocoons in holes or cracks in coconut trees.
Due to its long spinneret, coconut spiders are easy to identify. Spiders can vary in length from 6 cm to 7 cm, and they live in groups.
While it is difficult to distinguish between male and female coconut spiders, this can be done by monitoring the degree of hostility exhibited by each species and, in some cases, observing the appearance of distinctive white spots on the female's abdomen.
All 40,000 different species of spiders have one thing in common: the ability to weave silk. In addition, over time, spiders' spinning ability improves as they evolve as a whole. A single spider is capable of producing up to seven different types of spiders, each dedicated to a specific task, such as weaving webs or catching prey.
Most spiders have eight eyes, although some species, such as the brown hermit spider, have only six eyes. A spider's first set of eyes can usually produce visual effects, while a second set of eyes can simply perceive light and shadow. It is speculated that the complementary eye is a descendant of the complex eyes of the common ancestor shared by spiders and insects.
The longest leg span ever recorded is 4.8 in. (1.8 inches) long and 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. You can see some of the biggest hunter spiders on the "22 Weirest and Scary Australian Animals" list.