Australia is home to an incredible array of spiders, many of which are unique to the continent. If you’ve ever wondered how these spiders look, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most interesting and unique spiders of Australia and find out exactly how do spiders look in Australia. From huntsman spiders to jumping spiders, we’ll cover all the essential information about spiders in Australia. So read on, and discover the unique spiders of Australia!
Types of Spiders in Australia
- Huntsman Spider
- Wolf Spider
- Redback Spider
- White-Tailed Spider
- Trapdoor Spider
- Jumping Spider
- Recluse Spider
- Sydney Funnel-Web Spider
- Mouse Spider
Australia is home to a wide variety of spiders. Some of the most common types of spiders found in Australia are the Huntsman Spider, Wolf Spider, Redback Spider, White-Tailed Spider, Trapdoor Spider, Jumping Spider, Recluse Spider, Sydney Funnel-Web Spider, and Mouse Spider.
Appearance of Spiders
Color
Spiders in Australia come in a variety of colors, from white to brown and black. They may also have stripes or spots in different colors.
Size
Spiders in Australia range in size from very small to quite large. Some species can grow up to five inches in length.
Legs
Spiders have eight legs and a pair of pedipalps. Their legs are covered in tiny hairs that help them sense their environment.
Habits of Australian Spiders
Hunting
Australian spiders have adapted to a wide range of habitats and use a variety of hunting techniques. Most spiders use a combination of lurking, waiting for prey to come close, and actively hunting the prey. Some spiders make webs, while others actively search for prey.
Habitats
Australian spiders can be found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to rainforests. The most common habitats for spiders include wooded areas, grasslands, and wetlands. Some species are also commonly found in human dwellings.
Diet
Australian spiders feed on a variety of insects, including flies, moths, and beetles. Some species also feed on small frogs, lizards, and birds. Some spiders are even known to feed on other spiders.
Venomous Spiders in Australia
- Redback Spider: small black spider with distinctive red stripe, found all over Australia
- Funnel-Web Spiders: several species of large, black, shiny spiders found mainly in eastern Australia
- Mouse Spider: medium sized, black spiders found in many parts of Australia
- Sydney Funnel-web Spider: large, black spider found mainly in New South Wales
- White-tailed Spider: grey or brown spider with white markings on its tail, found mainly in southern and eastern Australia
- Trapdoor Spider: dark brown spiders that build burrows in the ground
- Huntsman Spider: large, brown spiders with long legs that can move very quickly
- Recluse Spider: small, light brown spiders with a violin-shaped marking on their back
- Wolf Spider: large, brown spiders that hunt their prey rather than using webs
All of these spiders are venomous and can cause serious reactions in humans, so it is important to be aware of their presence and take precautions when necessary.
Common Species of Spiders in Australia
Australia is home to a wide variety of spider species. Some of the most common species of spiders found in Australia include the Huntsman spider, the Redback spider, the White-tailed spider, the Daddy-long-legs spider, the Wolf spider, the Funnel-web spider, the St Andrews Cross spider and the Black House spider.
| Species | Description |
|---|---|
| Huntsman Spider | They are large spiders, up to 15cm in size, with long legs and a flat body. |
| Redback Spider | These are small, black spiders with a red stripe on the upper side of their abdomen. |
| White-tailed Spider | These spiders are grey to dark brown in colour, and have a distinct white spot at the end of their abdomen. |
| Daddy-long-legs Spider | These spiders have long, thin legs and small bodies, and they come in a variety of colours. |
| Wolf Spider | These are large, dark-coloured spiders, usually brown or black, with long legs. |
| Funnel-web Spider | These are large, dark-coloured spiders, usually black or brown, with long, spiny hairs on their bodies. |
| St Andrews Cross Spider | These are small, bright-coloured spiders, usually with yellow or orange stripes on their abdomen. |
| Black House Spider | These are large, dark-coloured spiders, usually black or brown, with long legs and a distinct pattern on their abdomen. |
All of these species of spiders are found in many parts of Australia, and can be found in both urban and rural areas. All of these spiders can be dangerous, especially the Funnel-web, Redback and White-tailed spiders, so it is important to be aware of their presence and take precautions to avoid being bitten.
1. Redback Spider
- Small, black or dark brown in colour.
- All have a distinctive red stripe on the upper side of the abdomen.
- Males are much smaller than females and are often grey or light brown.
- Their legs are long and thin.
- Redback spiders are found throughout Australia and New Zealand.
- They are commonly found living in and around human dwellings, especially around places such as sheds, window frames and woodpiles.
- Their webs are usually vertical, with a tangled upper layer.
2. Funnel-Web Spider
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Body Length | Around 1.5 cm |
| Colour | Black, brown, grey |
| Distribution | Eastern Australia |
| Habitat | Burrowed in the ground, under rocks, logs and debris |
| Venom | Highly poisonous |
The Funnel-Web Spider is one of the most dangerous spiders in Australia. It is found in the eastern parts of the country and its body length is around 1.5 cm. It has a black, brown or grey colour and is highly poisonous. It burrows in the ground, under rocks, logs and debris. It is considered dangerous because its venom can cause serious illness or death in humans if antivenom is not administered.
3. Wolf Spider
Wolf spiders are one of the most commonly seen spiders in Australia and are found in almost all parts of the country. They are one of the largest spider families in Australia and are easily recognizable by their brown coloring and hairy bodies. Wolf spiders have eight eyes, arranged in three rows, and they have very good vision. They have long legs and are very fast runners and hunters. They use their speed and strength to hunt down their prey, which includes small insects and other spiders. Wolf spiders have a venomous bite but are not considered dangerous to humans.
Spider-Related Hazards in Australia
- Australia is home to some of the most poisonous spiders in the world, including the redback spider, the funnel-web spider, and the Sydney funnel-web spider.
- The bite of a redback spider can be very painful and can cause nausea, vomiting, and sweating. In rare cases, it can even lead to death.
- The Sydney funnel-web spider is considered to be one of the most dangerous spiders in the world and its bite can cause severe pain, vomiting, and muscle spasms. In some cases, the bite can even cause death.
- The venom of the funnel-web spider is so potent that it can cause serious illness or death within minutes of being bitten.
- Other dangerous spiders in Australia include the white-tailed spider, which can cause serious skin reactions, and the mouse spider, which can cause severe pain and cramping.
- It is important to be aware of the potential hazards posed by spiders in Australia and to take appropriate precautions to protect yourself and your family.
Control Measures for Spiders
| Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Eliminate Habitats | Remove clutter from the house, fix any plumbing leaks, and keep the house clean to discourage spiders from settling in. |
| Seal Cracks & Openings | Seal cracks and openings around windows, doors, and other areas where spiders can enter. |
| Use Repellents | Use chemical repellents to discourage spiders from entering the house. |
| Set Traps | Set spider traps around the house to capture spiders that have already entered. |
| Maintain Outdoor Areas | Keep outdoor areas free of clutter and debris to discourage spiders from settling in. |
Spiders may also be controlled by vacuuming, using insecticides, and other physical removal methods. It is important to identify the type of spider before attempting to control them. Some spiders may be beneficial, while others can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Spiders Look Like in Australia?
Australian spiders come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They typically have eight legs and two body parts, the cephalothorax and abdomen. The most common spiders in Australia are huntsman spiders, redback spiders, wolf spiders, and white-tailed spiders. Huntsman spiders are large and brown or grey, with long legs and big eyes. Redback spiders are small and black with a red stripe on their back. Wolf spiders are brown or grey and have striped legs. White-tailed spiders are black and have a white tip on their tail.
How can I identify spiders in Australia?
Spiders in Australia can be identified by their color, shape, size, and web type. Most Australian spiders are dark-colored, ranging from black to brown or yellow. They typically have long, thin bodies and relatively long legs. The webs of Australian spiders vary in size and shape, from the funnel-shaped webs of funnel-web spiders to the orb webs of garden spiders. Some spiders, like crab spiders, do not construct webs. It is also important to consider the habitat of the spider, as many species are limited to specific types of environment.
Are There Any Unique Spiders in Australia?
Australia has a wide variety of spiders, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. These include the Huntsman, which can grow up to 15 cm across, and the Redback, which is one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Other unique Australian spiders include the Funnel-web, the White-tailed, and the St Andrews Cross. These spiders vary in size, color, and behavior, and all of them are capable of delivering a painful and potentially dangerous bite.
How can I tell if a spider is dangerous in Australia?
It is important to be able to identify potentially dangerous spiders in Australia. The majority of spiders are harmless, but there are some species which can cause severe reactions in humans and should be avoided. The most dangerous spiders in Australia are the Redback spider, the Funnel-web spider, and the Mouse spider. Redback spiders are black and red, have a distinctive red stripe on the abdomen and can be found in dark corners and crevices in the garden. Funnel-web spiders are black, have a glossy carapace and can be found in moist areas such as under rocks and logs. Mouse spiders are brown with a distinctive white stripe across their abdomen and can be found in burrows or in dry areas such as cracks in the wall. It is important to seek medical attention if bitten by any of these spiders.
How Common are Spiders in Australia?
Spiders are very common in Australia due to the warm climate, with approximately 10,000 species living in the country. Some of the most common species of spiders include the Redback Spider, the Huntsman Spider, and the Funnel-web Spider. Although many species of spiders can be found in Australia, the majority of them are harmless and pose no threat to humans.
Conclusion
Australia is home to a wide variety of unique spiders and other arthropods. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and have adapted to the unique climate and environment of Australia. From the brightly colored Golden Orb Weaver to the venomous Sydney Funnel-web Spider, Australia’s spiders offer an interesting glimpse into the world of arachnids. While some of these spiders may seem intimidating, the vast majority are harmless to humans and can be an interesting addition to any backyard.
