Damon Mcknight
Australian tarantulas are large, venomous spiders that are known for their ability to produce a whistling or barking sound, earning them nicknames like whistling spider and barking spider. They are non-aggressive and feed on insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. While their bites are not deadly to humans, they can cause symptoms such as nausea, severe pain, and profuse sweating. These spiders are found in various parts of Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. In Western Australia, the concept of keeping invertebrates as pets is relatively new, and there are no license requirements for owning tarantulas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are tarantulas found in Western Australia? | Yes, the genus Selenocosmia is found in Western Australia. |
| Common names | Whistling or barking spiders, bird-eating spiders |
| Appearance | Large, heavy body, dark chocolate-brown to reddish-brown or pale fawn, often with a silvery sheen |
| Size | The Queensland Whistling Tarantula is the largest spider in Australia |
| Habitat | Underground burrows, under rocks and logs |
| Diet | Insects, lizards, frogs, toads, mice, small snakes, other spiders |
| Behaviour | Nocturnal, non-aggressive, make whistling or barking sounds as a defensive mechanism |
| Venom | Not deadly, but can cause nausea, severe pain, and profuse sweating |
| Lifespan | Females up to 12 years, males usually die after mating at around 5 years |
| Reproduction | Males entice females out of their burrows to mate at the entrance |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Australian tarantula species
Australian tarantulas are often known as whistling or barking spiders because of the unique sounds most species can make. They are also sometimes called bird-eating spiders, although it is rare for a tarantula to eat a bird. They are non-aggressive and, although they have quite large fangs that can penetrate human skin, their bite is not deadly. Australian tarantulas are carnivores and eat insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders.
The described Australian tarantula fauna belongs to four genera: Selenocosmia (four species), Selenotholus, Selenotypus, and Coremiocnemis (with one species each) in the subfamily Selenocosmiinae. There are many undescribed species, some of which may belong in other genera. Australian tarantulas have a large, heavy body, ranging in colour from dark chocolate-brown to reddish-brown or pale fawn, often with a silvery sheen.
Selenotypus plumipes is the only species that has long hairs on its rear legs, making it easily identifiable. The male tarantula dies shortly after mating, usually at around five years of age. Females may live up to twelve years and tend to be larger than males because they continue to grow. During spring and early summer, males approach the females' burrows, enticing them out to mate at the entrance.
The genus Selenocosmia can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. Selenocosmia stirlingi is the most widely distributed species, which can also be found in north-western Victoria. It spans the continent in habitats ranging from rainforest to desert but is not found in the northern tropics.
Woolies: Australian-Owned? A Look at the Supermarket Giant's History
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Keeping tarantulas as pets in Western Australia
Firstly, it is essential to understand that keeping tarantulas as pets is a brand-new concept in Western Australia, and regulations regarding this practice may be subject to change and are often unclear. While you don't need a license to keep tarantulas in Western Australia if they are purchased within the state, a permit is required to import them across borders. It is also important to note that only Australian tarantula species can be kept as pets in Australia, and the import of exotic (non-native) tarantula species is prohibited by law.
Australian tarantulas, belonging to the genera Selenocosmia, Selenotholus, Selenotypus, and Coremiocnemis, are known for their large, heavy bodies and unique sounds, often referred to as whistling or barking spiders. They are carnivores and feed on insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. While they possess large fangs that can penetrate human skin, their bite is not deadly to humans, but it can cause severe pain and other symptoms. It is important to be cautious as they are extremely toxic to canines.
If you decide to keep a tarantula as a pet, it is important to provide a suitable enclosure. A general rule of thumb for enclosure size is twice the leg span of the spider across and three times the leg span in depth. Additionally, tarantulas require specific care, including maintaining a constant temperature in their enclosure, as they are sensitive to temperature changes. The minimum temperature for their activity is 20 degrees Celsius, and their burrows may be plugged during the colder months and the hottest parts of summer.
While keeping tarantulas as pets can be rewarding, it is important to remember that they are wild animals. They will never love you, but they will tolerate your presence as they generally prefer to avoid biting and prioritize flight over fight. Their natural instinct is to fear humans as potential predators.
BritBox: Australia's Access to British TV and Movies
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tarantula diet
Tarantulas are carnivorous and will eat almost anything that moves, provided it is not too large. In the wild, they prey on insects, lizards, snakes, frogs, and even small birds. They are known to be opportunistic feeders, and videos of tarantulas eating mice, opossums, and other small animals are not uncommon.
Tarantulas are often kept as pets in Western Australia, and their diet in captivity differs from that in the wild. Bugs are the most common food for captive tarantulas, as they are practical, cost-effective, nutritious, safe, and ethical. These can be purchased from local pet shops or reputable breeders. Crickets are a popular choice, as they are easy to find and can be enhanced with vitamins and minerals. Other options include cockroaches, mealworms, hornworms, superworms, locusts, and flies.
It is important to note that bugs found outside or around the home should not be fed to pet tarantulas, as they may be exposed to pesticides, chemicals, or diseases. Additionally, some feeders, such as mealworms, may harm tarantulas if not handled properly.
The diet of a pet tarantula should be determined in consultation with a veterinarian, who can recommend a suitable feeding schedule and advise on how to increase the nutritional density of the spider's diet.
In summary, tarantulas are carnivorous and opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of insects, lizards, snakes, frogs, and even small birds in the wild. In captivity, their diet consists primarily of bugs purchased from pet stores or breeders, with crickets, cockroaches, and mealworms being the most common choices.
Where to Watch India vs Australia Live
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Tarantula mating rituals
Australian tarantulas are often known as whistling or barking spiders due to the unique sounds they make, usually as a defensive mechanism. They produce these sounds by rubbing their palps (limb-like mating organs between the front legs) along a set of spines at the base of their fangs.
During the breeding season in spring and early summer, male tarantulas entice females out of their burrows to mate at the entrance. The male tarantula usually dies shortly after mating, around five years of age. Females, on the other hand, can live up to twelve years. They lay about 50 eggs into a 30mm sac that is protected by a layer of tough silk and stored safely in their burrow.
The mating process itself is a terrifying dance, with a high likelihood of injury, as tarantulas mate facing each other with their fangs exposed. They elevate their front legs and the front parts of their bodies during this ritual. After mating, the male inserts his palps one by one into the female's genital opening before retreating.
Tarantulas in Western Australia are popular as pets, but their collection from the wild for the pet trade has raised concerns about over-collection and its negative impact on local populations.
Australians' Love for Kangaroo Meat: A Cultural Delicacy
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/817wZMPgcKL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Tarantula venom
Tarantulas are venomous, but the effects of their venom on humans are typically mild, causing pain at the bite site. However, it's important to note that tarantula bites can be quite painful, resulting in throbbing pain that can last for hours. The bite area might become inflamed and swell up, and in rare cases, fever, nausea, and vomiting can occur. While tarantula-related injuries are rare, if you are bitten, it is recommended to wash the bite with soap and water and contact a medical professional.
In addition to their venom, tarantulas possess urticating hairs on their abdomen that can cause intense inflammatory reactions. As a defense mechanism, they use their legs to dislodge these hairs, creating a cloud that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
Australian tarantulas, found in Western Australia, are known to be extremely toxic to canines. Out of seven reported cases of dogs bitten by Australian tarantulas, all were fatal. However, Australian tarantulas are not considered dangerous to humans, with their bites causing only minor symptoms such as severe pain. While individual reactions may vary, there have been no reported deaths or serious illnesses caused by their venom.
Overall, while tarantulas are venomous and can cause discomfort, their bites are rarely life-threatening to humans, and tarantula-related injuries are uncommon.
Asbestos Mining: Australia's Ban Timeline
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, tarantulas are found in Western Australia. They are also found in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Australian tarantulas have a large, heavy body that varies in colour from dark chocolate-brown to reddish-brown or pale fawn, often with a silvery sheen. They are also easily identifiable due to their unique sounds, which have earned them the nicknames "whistling" or "barking" spiders.
While Australian tarantulas are venomous, they are not considered dangerous to humans. Their bites are not deadly, but they can cause symptoms such as nausea, severe pain, and profuse sweating. However, they are extremely toxic to dogs, and all reported cases of dogs bitten by Australian tarantulas have been fatal.
Yes, it is legal to keep tarantulas as pets in Western Australia without a license. However, it is important to do adequate research and be well-informed about their care before purchasing one.
