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Australia is known for its diverse array of unique creatures, including the giant green-bellied huntsman spider, one of the country's largest spider species. While the size of spiders varies, huntsman spiders are generally large, long-legged, and hairy, with a leg span of around 20 centimetres (almost 8 inches). They are mostly grey to brown in colour, sometimes with banded legs, and are known for their ability to execute incredible leaps and tumbles to catch prey and escape from predators. Despite their intimidating appearance, huntsman spiders are considered harmless and are even beneficial as they prey on smaller, more venomous spiders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common spiders | Huntsman, Golden Orb, Redback, Green-bellied Huntsman |
| Huntsman spider habitat | Under loose bark on trees, crevices on rock walls, logs, foliage, houses, and cars |
| Huntsman spider appearance | Large, long-legged, hairy, grey to brown, sometimes with banded legs |
| Huntsman spider behaviour | Social, aggressive when guarding eggs |
| Huntsman spider size | Leg span of around 20 cm (almost 8 inches) |
| Golden Orb spider size | About hand-sized |
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What You'll Learn
Huntsman spiders are large, long-legged and hairy
Huntsman spiders are large, long-legged, and hairy. They are members of the family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae). They are often confused with tarantulas due to their hairy bodies and long legs. However, their distinguishing features are their long, angular, crab-like legs that allow them to move forward and sideways quickly. They are mostly grey to brown in color, sometimes with banded legs. Their bodies are relatively small compared to their legs, typically measuring around 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) in length. Their leg span, on the other hand, can reach up to an impressive 12 inches (30.5 cm).
Huntsman spiders are native to tropical and warm temperate regions worldwide, including much of Australia. They are known for their speed and agility, making them expert hunters. They actively chase their prey instead of building webs, and their diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates, as well as small lizards and arthropods. Despite their size and appearance, Huntsman spiders are mostly harmless to humans. While they can bite if they feel seriously threatened, their venom is mild and comparable to a bee sting.
These spiders are commonly found in woody places such as forests, mine shafts, woodpiles, and wooden shacks. They also inhabit crevices in tree bark and human-made structures like sheds and garages. Human encounters with Huntsman spiders are frequent, especially in homes and vehicles. They are known for entering cars and hiding behind sun visors or running across dashboards, causing quite a fright for unsuspecting drivers.
Huntsman spiders play an important role in pest control, feeding on insects such as cockroaches and mosquitoes that can transmit diseases and damage plants. They are also known to kill venomous spiders, making them beneficial to humans. While they may not be everyone's favorite creature, Huntsman spiders are fascinating examples of nature's intricate design, showcasing impressive adaptations for survival.
In conclusion, Huntsman spiders are indeed large, long-legged, and hairy creatures that evoke a range of emotions, from fear to fascination. However, despite their intimidating appearance, they play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and are mostly harmless to humans. Understanding their behavior and appreciating their ecological significance can help alleviate some of the fears associated with these remarkable arachnids.
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Golden orb spiders are harmless
Spiders in Australia can vary in size, with some growing to be quite large. One of the most well-known large spiders in Australia is the huntsman spider, which is characterized by its long legs and hairy appearance. While they can be quite frightening due to their size, huntsman spiders are generally harmless to humans.
Among the diverse range of spiders found in Australia, the Golden Orb Weaving Spiders stand out for their impressive size and distinctive appearance. These spiders, belonging to the Nephila species, are known for their large, semi-permanent orb webs that exhibit a stunning golden sheen. The female Golden Orb Weavers are particularly notable for their silvery-grey to plum-colored bodies and brown-black or yellow-banded legs. In contrast, the males are tiny, ranging from 6 mm in size, and are typically red-brown to brown.
Despite their intimidating size and web-building abilities, Golden Orb Weaving Spiders are considered harmless to humans. They are not aggressive by nature and will usually flee when threatened. While they possess venom and have the ability to bite, their bites are not considered dangerous or medically significant to humans. In fact, their bites have been compared to bee stings, causing little to no harm.
Golden Orb Weavers primarily feed on small insects such as flies, beetles, locusts, wood moths, and cicadas. On rare occasions, their strong webs may ensnare small birds or bats, which then become a part of their diet. These spiders are commonly found in dry open forests, woodlands, coastal sand dune shrublands, and mangrove habitats. Their webs are strategically placed in openings between trees and shrubs, maximizing their chances of capturing prey.
While Golden Orb Weaving Spiders may not pose a significant threat to humans, it is always advisable to exercise caution when encountering any spider. Keeping a safe distance and avoiding direct contact is generally recommended. Additionally, seeking professional assistance from pest control services can help manage spider infestations in residential areas.
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Spiderlings are guarded by their mother
Spiders in Australia vary in size, with some growing to be quite large, such as the huntsman spider, which is known for its long legs and hairy appearance. While the body of a spider may only be a few centimetres long, its legs can span up to 15 cm across. The huntsman spider, despite its intimidating size, is considered harmless and is even known to kill venomous spiders.
When it comes to spider reproduction and the care of their young, spiderlings are often guarded and protected by their mother. Spider mothers from diverse families exhibit nurturing behaviours towards their offspring, demonstrating that motherhood is not unique to humans. One example of a nurturing spider mother is the crab spider, which belongs to the Family Sparassidae and is commonly found in Australia. Crab spiders are named for their distinctive crab-like posture, with their front legs held in a pincer position.
Crab spider mothers are known to guard their egg sacs vigilantly, protecting them from predators and parasites. The female crab spider may position her egg sac in a curled leaf or high on vegetation, always keeping watch. After the spiderlings hatch, the mother continues to care for them, sometimes allowing them to climb onto her back and carrying them around until they are ready to disperse. This extended period of maternal care improves the survival chances of the offspring.
Another example of nurturing spider mothers is the wolf spider. Wolf spider mothers carry their egg sacs on their spinnerets, the silk-producing organs at the end of their abdomen. Once the spiderlings hatch, they climb onto their mother's back, clinging to special knob-shaped hairs. The mother then carries her offspring as they explore their surroundings. This protective behaviour is also observed in other spider species, such as the nursery web spider and the funnel-web spider, showcasing the dedication of spider mothers to ensure the survival of their young.
While most spider mothers guard and nurture their offspring, there are rare exceptions where spiderlings consume their mothers. This behaviour, known as matriphagy, is observed in certain species such as the Black lace-weaver. In these cases, the mother communicates the time for matriphagy through web vibrations, drumming, and jumping. Despite the unusual nature of matriphagy, it serves a purpose in improving sociality and reducing sibling cannibalism.
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Spiders are a cause of car crashes
Spiders in Australia vary in size, with some describing them as hand-sized and others as being 2 cm across the body and 15 cm across the legs. The most commonly referenced spider in Australia is the Huntsman spider, which is large, long-legged, and mostly grey to brown in colour. They are often found in crevices and narrow spaces, including inside cars, where they can be discovered hiding behind sun visors or running across dashboards.
Due to their size and unexpected appearances, spiders can startle drivers and cause car crashes. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Australia, and the sudden presence of a spider can trigger a fight-or-flight response. In such situations, it is recommended to remain calm, gently apply the brakes, and slowly pull over if needed. Unfortunately, this can be challenging for individuals with arachnophobia or a fear of spiders.
Several reports and anecdotes from Australia highlight instances where spiders, particularly Huntsman spiders, have caused car crashes. One news article recounts a man's experience of crashing his car after a Huntsman spider scuttled across his dashboard. The man expressed his frustration in a video posted on social media, providing a glimpse into the aftermath of the crash and the spider perched on his steering wheel.
Another report mentions that spiders are responsible for more car crashes than poison deaths in Australia. A comment on the aforementioned news article also references a similar incident where a driver, upon encountering a spider, opened their visor, causing the spider to drop into their lap and resulting in a loss of vehicle control and a subsequent crash.
While keeping a clean car can help reduce hiding spaces for spiders, it is challenging to prevent their entry entirely due to their size and tendency to seek shelter in tight spaces. Thus, it is advisable for individuals, especially those with arachnophobia, to check their vehicles for spiders before driving to mitigate the risk of a spider-induced crash.
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Spiders are considered good as they eat venomous insects
Spiders are often considered creepy and scary, with many people suffering from arachnophobia. However, in places like Australia, spiders can be considered good and beneficial. While most spiders are venomous, their venom serves the purpose of subduing their prey, which is almost always insects. Spider venom does not exist to harm large creatures like humans and has little to no effect on them. In fact, spiders play an essential role in the ecosystem by feeding on unwanted insects, including venomous insects, that may pose a greater threat to humans.
In Australia, the Huntsman spider is a well-known example of a large spider species. Despite their size and hairy appearance, Huntsman spiders are generally harmless to humans. They are often found living under loose bark on trees, in rock crevices, or even in people's homes. While they may startle unsuspecting individuals with their sudden appearances, they are not aggressive towards humans and are known to prey on smaller, more venomous spiders.
The presence of spiders in the ecosystem helps to control the populations of insects that may be harmful or unwanted. They act as natural pest control, reducing the need for chemical insecticides. Spiders are a part of the food chain themselves, serving as prey for various animals, including birds, reptiles, and amphibians. By preying on venomous insects, spiders contribute to maintaining a balance in the ecosystem and indirectly help reduce the potential harm these insects may cause to humans.
Additionally, spiders can also serve as a food source in some cultures. In Cambodia, for example, fried tarantulas are considered a delicacy. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, the practice highlights the cultural significance of spiders in certain parts of the world. Understanding the role of spiders in the ecosystem and their benefits can help reduce the fear and stigma often associated with these eight-legged creatures.
In conclusion, while spiders may not be everyone's favourite creatures, their presence is beneficial, especially in Australia. By preying on venomous insects and maintaining ecological balance, spiders indirectly contribute to human safety. Therefore, it is essential to recognise their ecological importance and take informed decisions regarding pest control and coexistence with these fascinating arachnids.
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Frequently asked questions
Spiders in Australia vary in size, from small, venomous spiders to large, harmless ones. The size of a spider in Australia is subjective, with some people considering hand-sized spiders as big, while others may consider smaller spiders below knee height as more intimidating.
Some of the largest spiders in Australia include the Huntsman spider, the Golden Orb spider, and the Giant Green-bellied Huntsman spider. The Giant Green-bellied Huntsman spider, for example, can have a leg span of around 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches).
Large spiders in Australia can be found in various environments, including under loose bark on trees, in crevices on rock walls, in logs, under rocks, and on foliage. They can also be found in urban areas, such as inside houses or cars.
