Damon Mcknight
Australian tarantulas are large, heavy-bodied spiders that are known for their unique ability to produce whistling or barking sounds, earning them nicknames like whistling spiders or barking spiders. They are officially classified into seven species across four genera: Selenocosmia, Selenotholus, Selenotypus, and Phlogiellus. These spiders vary significantly in size, with leg spans ranging from 5 to 16 cm, and the Selenocosmia crassipes species holding the record for the largest Australian tarantula, with a leg span of up to 22 cm and a body length of 6 to 9 cm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Whistling Spiders, Bird-Eating Spiders, Barking Spiders |
| Scientific name | Selenocosmia crassipes |
| Leg span | Up to 22 cm |
| Body length | 6-9 cm |
| Fang length | Up to 1 cm |
| Burrow depth | 40-100 cm |
| Burrow temperature | Approximately 20°C |
| Number of genera | 4 |
| Number of species | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
- The largest Australian tarantula species is the Selenocosmia crassipes, which has a leg span of up to 22 cm
- Australian tarantulas vary in size, with a leg span ranging from 5 to 16 cm
- The Australian tarantula's body length ranges from 6 to 9 cm
- They have long venomous fangs that can grow up to 1 cm
- Tarantulas are considered heavyweight spiders
The largest Australian tarantula species is the Selenocosmia crassipes, which has a leg span of up to 22 cm
Australian tarantulas, also known as whistling or barking spiders, are known for the sounds most species can produce. They are often referred to as bird-eating spiders, although they rarely eat birds. The largest Australian tarantula species is the Selenocosmia crassipes, which has a leg span of up to 22 cm. This species, also known as the Queensland whistling tarantula, has a body length of between 6 and 9 cm, and is native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia.
The name "whistling tarantula" comes from its ability to produce a hissing noise when provoked, a trait it shares with other Australian theraphosids. This hissing sound is produced by the spider stridulating a patch of setae associated with its chelicerae, or by rubbing its palps (limb-like mating organs between the front legs) along a set of spines at the base of its fangs. The female Selenocosmia crassipes lays about 50 eggs into a 30 mm diameter sac, which is stored in her burrow and protected by a tough cover of silk.
The Selenocosmia crassipes is part of the Selenocosmia genus, which is known from Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. The Selenocosmia stirlingi is the most widely distributed species within this genus and can also be found in north-western Victoria. The Selenocosmia stirlingi spans the continent in habitats ranging from rainforest to desert but is not found in the northern tropics.
Australian tarantulas are popular as unusual pets, and their large, heavy bodies can vary in colour from dark chocolate-brown to reddish-brown or pale fawn, often with a silvery sheen. They are carnivores and eat insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. Despite their large fangs, which can penetrate human skin, their bite is not deadly.
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Australian tarantulas vary in size, with a leg span ranging from 5 to 16 cm
Australian tarantulas are large, heavy-bodied spiders with a leg span ranging from 5 to 16 cm. They are known for their unique ability to produce a whistling or humming noise by rubbing their palps (front pair of limb-like sensory/mating organs) against the spines on their jaw bases. This behaviour is often a defensive mechanism employed when the spider feels threatened.
The seven recognised species of Australian tarantulas are the Queensland whistling spider (Selenocosmia crassipes), barking spider (Selenocosmia stirlingi), brush tarantula (Coremiocnemis tropix), Selenocosmia Strenua, Selenocosmia Subvulpina, Selenotholus Foelschei, and Selenotypus Plumipes. These spiders vary not only in size but also in appearance, behaviour, and growth rate.
The largest Australian tarantula species is the Queensland whistling tarantula, with a leg span of up to 22 cm and a body length of 6 to 9 cm. Its scientific name, Selenocosmia crassipes, translates to "fat legs," reflecting its impressive leg span.
Despite their intimidating size and fear-evoking nicknames, Australian tarantulas are non-aggressive. While their bites can cause severe pain, nausea, and profuse sweating due to their toxic venom, they are not known to be deadly to humans. Australian tarantulas primarily feed on invertebrates and small vertebrates, including insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders.
These spiders are found in a variety of habitats across Australia, from rainforests to deserts. They construct permanent silk-lined burrows that serve as a safe haven for the female tarantulas to lay and protect their eggs. The depth of these burrows can range from 40 to 100 cm, maintaining a relatively constant temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius.
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The Australian tarantula's body length ranges from 6 to 9 cm
Australian tarantulas are large, heavy-bodied spiders that are popular as exotic pets. They are known for their unique ability to produce a whistling or humming noise by rubbing their palps (front pair of limb-like sensory/mating organs) against the spines on their jaw bases. This noise, often described as a hiss, is typically produced when the spider feels threatened and is used as a defensive mechanism to deter predators.
The body length of Australian tarantulas varies across different species, but on average, it ranges from 6 to 9 cm. The leg span, however, can be much more impressive, reaching up to 22 cm in some species. For example, the Selenocosmia crassipes, also known as the Queensland whistling tarantula, has a body length between 6 and 9 cm, making it the largest Australian tarantula in terms of body size.
The size of an Australian tarantula's burrow often correlates with its size, with larger spiders tending to occupy bigger burrows. These burrows can be quite deep, ranging from 40 to 100 cm, and they serve as permanent homes for these spiders. The temperature within the burrow remains relatively constant at around 20 degrees Celsius, providing an ideal environment for the tarantula.
Australian tarantulas are often given fear-inducing nicknames, such as bird-eating spiders, whistling spiders, or barking spiders. Despite these intimidating names, they are non-aggressive and rarely feed on birds. Their diet primarily consists of insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders, making them skilled hunters within their ecosystem.
Overall, the Australian tarantula, with its body length ranging from 6 to 9 cm, is a fascinating example of the country's diverse arachnid fauna. Its unique characteristics, from its defensive whistling to its impressive hunting skills, have garnered attention from enthusiasts worldwide, contributing to its popularity in the exotic pet trade.
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They have long venomous fangs that can grow up to 1 cm
Australian tarantulas are large spiders that are often known as whistling or barking spiders due to the sounds most species can produce. They are not usually aggressive, but if provoked, they will 'rear up' and appear menacing. The bite of an Australian tarantula is painful, and severe illness may result, including nausea and vomiting. The fangs of a tarantula are large and long, sometimes as long as those of many snakes, and can inflict painful puncture wounds. These wounds can lead to secondary bacterial infections if not properly treated.
The Selenocosmia crassipes, or Queensland whistling tarantula, has long venomous fangs that can grow up to 1 cm in length. This species is native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia, and is also known as the barking spider or bird-eating tarantula. The name ''whistling tarantula'' comes from its ability to produce a hissing noise when provoked, a trait shared with other Australian theraphosids. The hissing noise is produced by the spider stridulating a patch of setae associated with its chelicerae.
The Queensland whistling tarantula has a body length, from eyes to the rear of its abdomen, of between 6 and 9 cm, making it the largest Australian tarantula. Its leg span can reach up to 22 cm. The thick-footed tarantula has powerful, venomous fangs that can grow up to 1 cm long. These fangs are well-adapted for killing large arthropods, such as other spiders and centipedes.
While the Queensland whistling tarantula is the largest Australian tarantula, there are other large species of tarantulas in Australia, such as the Whistling Spider, which can grow up to 2.4 inches tall and span out to 6.3 inches long. Additionally, the Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) is a highly venomous spider species found in Australia that has been responsible for numerous deaths prior to the development of antivenom in the 1980s.
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Tarantulas are considered heavyweight spiders
The heavyweight status of Australian tarantulas is not just due to their size but also their powerful build. They have large, heavy bodies that vary in colour from dark chocolate brown to reddish-brown or pale fawn, often with a silvery sheen. Their most distinctive feature is their thick, fat front legs, which give them a robust appearance.
The weight of these spiders is also reflected in their diet and behaviour. Australian tarantulas are carnivores and feed on insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. Despite their nickname of "bird-eating spiders", they rarely consume birds. They are non-aggressive and typically only wrestle their prey into submission. Their toxic venom can cause nausea, severe pain, and profuse sweating in humans, but it is not deadly.
The weight of Australian tarantulas also has ecological implications. The popularity of these spiders as exotic pets has led to concerns about their population in the wild. Removing large adults from small local populations may inadvertently endanger species that have not been well-studied or described, highlighting the importance of captive breeding programs for the pet trade.
In conclusion, Australian tarantulas are considered heavyweight spiders due to their size, powerful build, diet, and ecological impact. Their weight is a defining characteristic that influences both their behaviour and their conservation status.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian tarantulas vary in size, with leg spans ranging from 5 to 22 cm and body lengths ranging from 2.4 to 9 cm. The largest Australian tarantula species is the Selenocosmia crassipes, also known as the Queensland whistling tarantula.
Australian tarantulas are large because they are a type of theraphosid, which is a group of spiders known for their heavy bodies and substantial size.
While Australian tarantulas are non-aggressive, they do have large fangs that can penetrate human skin. Their bite is not deadly, but it can cause severe pain, nausea, and profuse sweating due to the toxic venom.
Australian tarantulas are carnivores that eat a variety of prey, including insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. Despite their nickname "bird-eating spiders," they rarely consume birds.
