Leslie Massey
Australia is known for its diverse range of spiders, including some of the world's most venomous species. While the country's spider reputation may be fearsome, it is worth noting that Australian bees pose a greater threat to humans. Among the large spiders in Australia, the huntsman spider is particularly notorious for its size, with a leg span of up to 15 cm. These spiders are widespread in Australia and are known for their hairy, black appearance. They are often found in homes and cars, scuttling out from behind curtains or dashboards, causing quite a fright. Despite their intimidating size, huntsman spiders are relatively harmless to humans and are more likely to run away than bite.
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What You'll Learn
Huntsman spiders are widespread in Australia
Australia is home to a wide variety of spiders, including the infamous Huntsman spider. Huntsman spiders are widespread in Australia, with approximately 200 different species of huntsmen found across the country. These spiders are members of the family Sparassidae and are known for their large size and hairy appearance. They are often referred to as "giant crab spiders" due to their long legs that spread out in a crab-like fashion.
Huntsman spiders are wandering hunters that rely on their speed, agility, and power to capture their prey. They do not build webs but instead actively hunt and forage for food. Their diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, and they are known to occasionally feed on small skinks and geckos. Huntsman spiders are excellent climbers and can often be found living in the crevices of tree bark, particularly gum (eucalypt) trees. They are also notorious for entering human dwellings, including houses and vehicles, in search of food or shelter.
The female Huntsman spider is known for her dedicated motherhood. She produces a flat, oval egg sac of white papery silk, containing up to 200 eggs. She then carefully places it under the protection of bark or a rock and stands guard over it for about three weeks without eating. During this period, she can become quite aggressive and defensive if provoked.
Despite their intimidating size and appearance, Huntsman spiders are relatively harmless to humans. While they are venomous, their venom is considered mild and not dangerous to people. They are generally very reluctant to bite and will typically try to run away from any perceived threats. In fact, their presence in homes can be beneficial, as they help with pest control by feeding on smaller insects.
Huntsman spiders are an iconic part of Australia's diverse arachnid population. While they may startle unsuspecting individuals with their sudden appearances, they play an important role in maintaining ecological balance and have become accustomed to sharing their habitat with humans.
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Sydney funnel-web spiders are the world's deadliest
Australia is home to a variety of large spiders, including huntsman spiders, tarantulas, redbacks, and funnel webs. While it is uncommon for tourists to encounter these spiders, especially in hotels, they are a common sight for Australians, particularly in suburban gardens.
The Sydney funnel-web spider native to eastern Australia, is considered the world's deadliest spider due to its highly toxic venom and aggressive behaviour. It is a member of the Australian funnel-web spiders, which are known for their ability to produce large amounts of venom that can be fatal to humans. The Sydney funnel-web spider is mainly found in New South Wales, in both forested areas and urban settings, where they seek out humid and sheltered places to burrow.
The Sydney funnel-web spider is relatively large, with a body length ranging from 1 to 5 cm, and has been observed to reach up to 10 cm when stretched out. They are glossy and darkly coloured, ranging from blue-black to black, brown, or dark plum. They possess large, rearward-facing fangs capable of piercing through fingernails and injecting their deadly venom.
The venom of the Sydney funnel-web spider is highly toxic and can cause fibrillation (constant firing) in primates, leading to serious illness or death if left untreated. Their bites can be extremely painful, and historically, they have been linked to several fatalities. However, since the development of an antivenom in 1981, there have been no reported deaths from Sydney funnel-web spider bites.
The Australian Reptile Park plays a crucial role in producing this life-saving antivenom through its venom-milking program. The program collects venom from the spiders to create antivenom doses, with approximately 70 milkings required for a single dose. This proactive approach to public safety has been immensely successful, ensuring that no lives are lost to Sydney funnel-web spider bites.
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Redback spiders are venomous and common in gardens
Australia is home to some of the world's most venomous spiders, and the redback spider is one of them. Redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) are highly venomous and are commonly found in gardens. They are believed to have originated in Western Australia but can now be found throughout the country and beyond, including in Southeast Asia and New Zealand.
Redback spiders are easily identifiable by their spherical black bodies, with a prominent red stripe on the upper side of their abdomens, and an hourglass-shaped red/orange streak on the underside. Females are larger than males, with body lengths of about 10mm compared to 3-4mm for males. They are mainly nocturnal, living in untidy webs in warm, sheltered locations, often near or inside human residences. They are most active at night and commonly spin their webs near places where insects are abundant, such as around garbage. They can also be found in dark, dry, out-of-the-way places, such as sheds, pot plants, and outdoor furniture.
The venom of redback spiders contains potent neurotoxins that affect the nervous system and can cause significant harm to humans. Symptoms of a bite include pain and redness around the bite site, tingling and numbness, convulsions or seizures, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and difficulty breathing. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a redback spider, as early treatment significantly improves outcomes.
To minimise the risk of encountering redback spiders, it is recommended to take precautions when in areas where they may be present, such as wearing gloves and closed-toe shoes while gardening or working in sheds. It is also important to shake out clothes, shoes, and gloves before putting them on, as redback spiders may hide in these places.
While redback spiders are venomous and common in gardens, it is important to note that they are not aggressive and will only bite when provoked or threatened. They can be left alone if they are out of the way and not causing any harm.
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Trapdoor spiders are large, furry, and harmless
Australia is known for its venomous spiders, but most spiders in the country are not dangerously toxic. In fact, no deaths caused by spider bites in Australia have been proven since 1979. While spiders in Australia have a fearsome reputation, bees are more likely to pose a threat.
One of the most common big spiders in Australia is the huntsman spider. These spiders can be up to 15 cm in leg span and are famous for being big, scary, and hairy. However, they are reluctant to bite and will usually try to run away. Their venom is also not considered dangerous to humans.
Another large spider found in Australia is the trapdoor spider. These spiders are large, furry, and generally harmless. They are often mistaken for the more threatening funnel-web spiders, but trapdoor spiders are not dangerously venomous to humans. While they do possess mild neurotoxic venom, they use it to break down and immobilize their prey, which includes insects and small vertebrates. Trapdoor spiders are usually stocky in appearance, with thick and short legs, powerful jaws, sharp fangs, and a furry body. They are typically yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, or black.
Trapdoor spiders are commonly found in Japan, Africa, South America, and North America, in addition to Australia. They are underground spiders that nest in burrows, which can be up to 30 cm deep and 5 cm across. They get their name from the trapdoor they construct on top of their burrow, which is made from plant and soil materials that effectively camouflage it. They are usually nocturnal and wait for prey while holding onto the underside of the door. They detect prey by sensing vibrations and lunge forward to capture their meal.
While most trapdoor spiders are harmless, some species, such as the mouse spider, can deliver painful bites that may cause mild medical complications. The brown trapdoor spider is a common species found in Australia, particularly around Sydney. It has a dusty appearance, with a cover of pale gold hairs on its carapace.
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Daddy long-legs spiders are common but not dangerous
Spiders are the most widely distributed venomous creatures in Australia, with an estimated 10,000 species inhabiting a variety of ecosystems. While Australia is known for its venomous spiders, including the Sydney funnel-web spider, its relatives in the family Hexathelidae, and the redback spider, whose bites can be extremely painful and historically linked to deaths, it's important to note that most Australian spiders are not dangerously toxic. No deaths caused by spider bites in Australia have been confirmed since 1979.
Among the various spider species in Australia, the daddy long-legs spider, or Pholcus phalangioides, is one of nine introduced pholcids in the country. Despite myths suggesting that its venom could easily kill a person if its fangs were larger, this claim is untrue. Daddy long-legs spiders are not known to bite humans, and there is no evidence of their venom causing any detrimental effects. They are commonly found under logs and rocks, preferring moist habitats, but can also be found in desert regions.
The name "daddy long-legs" can be confusing as it is used to refer to multiple creatures. In Australia, "daddy long-legs" typically refers to harvestmen, which are arachnids but not spiders. However, in some regions, including Australia, this name is also commonly used for cellar spiders, which are true spiders with the ability to spin webs. These long-legged spiders, belonging to the family Pholcidae, are given the name "daddy long-legs spiders" due to their resemblance to the non-spider daddy long-legs.
While daddy long-legs spiders may be intimidating due to their long legs, they are not considered dangerous to humans. Their fangs are relatively short, and there are no records of them biting humans. Additionally, they are not often encountered, as they prefer to stay under logs and rocks in moist environments. However, they can also be found in desert regions.
In summary, daddy long-legs spiders are common in Australia, but they do not pose a significant threat to humans. Their venom is not known to be dangerously toxic, and they are not aggressive towards people. While they may be unsettling due to their appearance and association with the myth, they are not a cause for excessive concern.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, big spiders are common in Australia. The Huntsman spider is one of the most common big spiders in Australia, with a leg span of up to 15cm. They are mostly grey to brown in colour and are covered in hair. They are also known as 'tarantulas' due to their size and appearance.
Australia is home to some of the world's most venomous spiders, including the Sydney funnel-web spider, which is considered the deadliest spider in Australia and possibly the world. Their bites can be extremely painful and have historically been linked to deaths. Other dangerous spiders in Australia include the redback spider, the white-tailed spider, and the mouse spider.
If you encounter a big spider in Australia, it is important to remain calm and not panic. Most spiders will only bite in self-defence, so if you leave them alone, they are unlikely to harm you. If you are concerned about the spider's presence, you can try to capture it and release it back into the wild, away from your home. In the unlikely event of a bite, seek medical attention immediately, especially if the spider is black, as its bite will be treated as a potential funnel-web bite.
