Damon Mcknight
The Australian bird-eating spider, also known as the Queensland whistling tarantula or the Goliath bird-eater, is a large and venomous spider species native to Australia and South America. Despite its name, the bird-eating spider does not frequently feed on birds, preferring insects, lizards, and other spiders. This spider is notable for its size, aggressive behaviour, and ability to produce a hissing noise when provoked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Selenocosmia crassipes, Phlogius crassipes, Queensland whistling tarantula, Barking spider, Bird-eating tarantula, Eastern tarantula |
| Diet | Insects, lizards, frogs, small birds, other spiders |
| Habitat | North Queensland, Australia |
| Behaviour | Nocturnal, ground-dwelling, burrowing |
| Size | Body length: 40-60mm; Legspan: 160-220mm |
| Lifespan | Female: 30 years; Male: 3-6 years |
| Venomous | Yes |
| Pet | Yes |
| Edible | No |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian bird-eating spider is also known as the Queensland whistling tarantula
The Australian bird-eating spider, also known as the Queensland whistling tarantula, is a real spider species. It is native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia, and is commonly found in the warmer and more arid regions of the country. The scientific name for this spider is Selenocosmia crassipes, and it is a species of tarantula. Despite its name, the bird-eating spider is not likely to encounter or feed on birds. Instead, its diet consists primarily of invertebrates such as insects and other spiders, with small vertebrates like geckos, skinks, and frogs also being part of its diet.
The Queensland whistling tarantula gets its name from its ability to produce a hissing noise when provoked, a trait shared with other Australian theraphosids. This sound is produced by the spider stridulating a patch of setae associated with its chelicerae. The spider is also sometimes referred to as the "barking spider" due to this warning sound it makes when disturbed, created by rubbing its palps with its fangs.
The bird-eating spider is a fast-growing spider and is widely sought after as a pet. It is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling species, and is a burrowing arachnid, living underground in burrows that can be up to 1 metre deep. Young spiders find natural burrows under rocks or roots, while adults expand their burrows up to 2 metres in length, lining them with silk.
The female bird-eating spider can live up to 30 years and spends most of her life in or close to her silk-lined burrow. The male, on the other hand, leaves his burrow when he reaches adulthood to mate. Interestingly, males do not die after mating and can survive to breed for two seasons before dying. The female lays her eggs in a special part of the burrow, and she is known to be a devoted mother, caring for her young until they leave the burrow.
The Australian bird-eating spider is one of the largest spider species in Australia, with a body length of up to 60mm and a leg span of 160mm. Its powerful fangs can grow up to 10mm long, making it a formidable predator.
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It is native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia
The Australian bird-eating spider, or the Queensland bird-eating spider, is native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. Its Latin name is Selenocosmia crassipes, and it is also commonly referred to as the Australian Tarantula. It is one of several species of large, aggressive spiders found in the warmer and more arid regions of Australia.
The bird-eating spider is a type of Trapdoor Spider, and they breed similarly. The female lives up to 30 years and spends most of her life in or close to her silk-lined burrow. The male also lives in a burrow but leaves it when he becomes an adult to mate. The males do not die after mating and can survive to breed for two seasons. The female lays her eggs and sticks the egg sac in a special part of the burrow. The egg sac is made of tough silk and is oval-shaped, with a size of 35mm by 30mm. The eggs are 2mm in diameter and are translucent with a rich yellow colour.
The bird-eating spider is a burrowing arachnid, living underground in burrows that can be up to 1 metre deep. Young spiders find natural burrows under rocks or roots, while adults expand their burrows up to 2 metres, lined with silk. They live in rainforests and gullies or other sheltered cooler spots in open forests along the Queensland Central Coast. They are also found in and around gardens or other plant life.
The bird-eating spider is a fast-growing spider and is widely sought after as a pet. It is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling species that feeds on invertebrates, including insects and other spiders. Small vertebrates such as geckos, skinks, and frogs are also part of their diet. Despite their name, they are not likely to encounter or feed on birds.
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It is a type of Trapdoor spider
The Australian bird-eating spider is a type of Trapdoor spider. It is also commonly referred to as the Barking Spider or Whistling Spider due to the unique warning sound it makes when it feels disturbed. The spider produces this hissing or whistling sound by rubbing its palps against its fangs.
The Latin name for the bird-eating spider is Selenocosmia crassipes, and it is native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. It is found primarily in Northern Queensland and the Northern Territory, but sightings have also been reported in Southeast Queensland and other parts of Australia. The spider prefers warmer climates and thrives in areas with higher humidity.
Bird-eating spiders belong to the Trapdoor family, which includes Funnel-web, Mouse, Whistling/Bird Eating/Barking, and Curtain-web spiders. Trapdoor spiders are distinguished by their stocky bodies, long leg-like palps, and two knee-like lobes to which their fangs join (chelicerae) in front. They are burrowers and typically reside in silk-lined burrows in the ground, although some live in trees. The burrows of young spiders are usually found under rocks or roots, while adults expand their burrows up to 2 metres long.
The bird-eating spider is a fast-growing spider and is widely sought after as a pet. It is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling species that feeds on insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. While it is called a bird-eating spider, it is not likely to encounter or feed on birds.
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It is venomous and aggressive
The Australian bird-eating spider is indeed real and is known for its intimidating appearance and sizeable dimensions. While it may be called a "bird-eating" spider, it does not exclusively feed on birds, and this name likely stems from its impressive size and formidable reputation. This spider species is venomous and aggressive, and understanding its behavior and potential dangers is essential.
The venom of the Australian bird-eating spider is a potent neurotoxin, and a bite can be extremely harmful to humans. Fortunately, due to their reclusive nature and preference for secluded habitats, bites are relatively rare. However, if a human is unfortunate enough to be bitten, the consequences can be severe, including localized pain, swelling, and necrosis around the bite area. In some cases, systemic effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and even seizures can occur. While fatalities are rare, the possibility of severe health complications underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if bitten.
The aggressive nature of this spider is another critical aspect to consider. While many spiders are content to hide and avoid confrontations, the bird-eating spider is known for its defensive posture and willingness to attack when disturbed. Its aggression is likely an adaptation to deter potential predators and protect its substantial web investments. When threatened, it may rear up on its hind legs, brandishing its formidable fangs, and may even pursue the intruder for a short distance. This behavior, combined with its size and venom potency, makes it a spider to be respected and given a wide berth.
The combination of venom toxicity and aggressive behavior makes the Australian bird-eating spider a formidable opponent for any potential threat. Its defensive posture and pursuit behavior are warnings to intruders, and its venom serves as a powerful deterrent. While it is important to respect and admire this spider from a distance, it is also crucial to remember that unprovoked attacks on humans are unlikely. They are generally shy and reclusive, preferring to avoid confrontations whenever possible. However, if disturbed or threatened, their aggressive nature and venomous bite can pose a serious risk.
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It is widely sought after as a pet
The Australian bird-eating spider, or the Queensland whistling tarantula, is a species of spider native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia. It is also commonly referred to as the Australian Tarantula. This spider is widely sought after as a pet, perhaps due to its unique and fascinating characteristics.
The bird-eating spider is a fast-growing spider that can reach impressive sizes. The female, typically larger than the male, can have a body length of up to 55mm-60mm, with a leg span of up to 160mm. Its powerful fangs can grow up to 10mm long, making it a formidable predator. Despite its name, the bird-eating spider's diet consists mainly of invertebrates, including insects and other spiders. However, they may occasionally feed on small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, and even small birds.
As a pet, the bird-eating spider requires specific care and attention. They are tropical spiders and require moisture in their enclosure, with temperatures maintained between 20-25 degrees Celsius. Kritter Crumble is recommended for substrate use to provide the necessary humidity. Terrarium-style enclosures with mesh lids work best for ventilation and to prevent escape.
Handling of the bird-eating spider is generally not recommended due to their aggressive nature and potent bite. While there are no recorded fatalities from their bites, swelling and vomiting can occur.
The bird-eating spider is an intriguing and impressive species that has captured the interest of many, leading to its popularity as a pet. However, it is important to respect their wild nature and provide them with the proper care and environment to ensure their well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Australian bird-eating spider, also known as the Queensland whistling tarantula, is real. It is native to the east coast of Queensland, Australia.
Despite its name, the bird-eating spider does not often encounter or feed on birds. Its diet primarily consists of invertebrates, including insects and other spiders. They also eat small vertebrates such as geckos, skinks, and frogs.
The Australian bird-eating spider is a large and aggressive spider, with a body length of up to 60 mm and a leg span of up to 160 mm. It is considered the largest species of spider in Australia.
