All up, there's more than 6,000 different jumping spider species and Australia's home to over 60 of them. While that's a lot of spiders, they're thankfully only between 1-25mm in length, so there's plenty of room for all of us.
While jumping spiders are not venomous, their bites may cause redness, itching, stinging and swelling.
Sydney is home to a glorious variety of spiders, from beautiful orb weavers to clever jumping spiders.
Hyllus giganteus, commonly referred to as the giant jumping spider, is a jumping spider native from Sumatra to Australia. It is best known for being the largest jumping spider species known to science, ranging from 1.8–2.5 centimetres (0.71–0.98 in) in length.
Adanson's Jumping Spider (Hasarius adansoni)
It's not restricted to Australia, but present in many regions around the world where it successfully cohabitates with humans. Females Adanson's Jumpers are also very different to the male, generally brown to orange and with a duller pattern.
In Australia they are only found in the southeastern part of the country, from South Australia to Queensland via Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. You won't find them in the dry and arid zones. On the other hand, huntsman and wolf-spiders are found all over the country.
Common in Queensland, New South Wales and most of New Zealand south to Christchurch, often seen around built up areas on walls and fences during the warmer part of the day.
There are some common big spiders in Sydney, particularly the Huntsman, although they are largely harmless. The more dangerous spiders common throughout Sydney tend to be the smaller species including the Red Back and Funnel-Web spiders, these two are particularly dangerous.
An estimated 5 per cent of Australians have arachnophobia, but there are plenty of others happy to get close to the creepy crawlies.
“It's probably because of the urban heat-island effect and prey availability,” says Lowe. “Most invertebrates will grow to larger sizes if they are warmer. They are very sensitive to temperatures.” Urbanisation probably benefits these spiders in several ways, she says.
Find out what to do if you're bitten and how to identify a spider. Australia is well-known for its spiders, but the place isn't overrun with them. While we may have some of the world's most venomous species, you are unlikely to come across one unbless you go looking for one or happen to disturb one hiding away.
Jumping spiders are pretty shy and will usually run — or jump — away when humans approach. Additionally, their venom is not dangerous to people because they can't deliver a large enough dose of it to be harmful.
Jumping spider (Salticidae family)
There are various species and they're commonly found inside Japanese homes. They tend to flee rather than attack if feeling threatened and they are neither poisonous nor usually big enough to pierce your skin.
The Distinguished jumping spider (Attulus distinguendus) is a spider in the family Salticidae; known as the Jumping Spiders. This family has only 37 members in the UK, but worldwide it is the largest spider family containing over five thousand species.
Jumping spiders can get used to be handled provided it is done in correct way and they feel safe. How to handle your spider for the first time? If it is your first experience in handling a jumping spider, best advise is – TAKE IT SLOW! There are no prizes to be won when it comes to bonding with your spider.
These arachnids always have four pairs of eyes, including a large, forward-facing principle pair that make the spiders look rather Muppet-like and cute. These large eyes make jumping spiders a standout among spiders.
Fried spider is a regional snack in Cambodia. In the Cambodian town of Skuon (Cheung Prey, Kampong Cham Province), the vending of fried spiders as a specialty snack is a popular attraction for tourists passing through this town.
As common as spiders are in Australia and how essential it is for the environment, no one still likes to see them in their home. With over 2400 different species in Australia, you are most likely to see any one of these eight-legged creatures in your lifetime.
New Zealand is home to about 2500 kinds of spiders, most of them harmless to people. Only some spiders are capable of biting humans. There are three species of spiders in New Zealand that should be avoided – the Katipo, the Redback and the White-tailed Spider.
Phoneutria are poisonous to humans, and they are considered to be the deadliest of all the world's spiders. Their venom is toxic to the nervous system, causing symptoms such as salivation, irregular heartbeat, and prolonged, painful erections (priapism) in men.
Also, because of their use of vision in attempting to determine if something is suitable prey, they will stare and turn to follow items. Perhaps there was something on the steering wheel or you that caught the spider's attention.
Portia fimbriata, known as the Fringed Jumping Spider or often just as Portia is renowned as the world's most intelligent spider. It is a spider hunter which modifies its hunting strategies and learns from situations as it encounters them.