Daddy-long-legs spider Easily identified by their small bodies and elongated limbs,
Spiders in the family Uloboridae are the only truly non-venomous spiders in Australia. This is one of them – the Grey House Spider (Zosis geniculatus) . Most spiders have mild venom that can kill their prey, but has little effect on humans.
Sydney Funnel Web Spider
Found nearly exclusively in Sydney, this spider is often considered the most deadly in the world. With fangs that can pierce through fingernails, and one specimen reaching 10cm stretched out, this spider is serious business. A single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes.
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.
An estimated 5 per cent of Australians have arachnophobia, but there are plenty of others happy to get close to the creepy crawlies.
Australia has about 2,000 species of spider, but most are relatively harmless to humans. Venomous spiders in Australia include funnel-web, mouse, redback and white-tailed spiders. Since the introduction of antivenom, there have been no recorded deaths in Australia from a confirmed spider bite.
The Australian funnel-web spiders are among the deadliest spiders in the world in the effect their bites have on humans and our primate relations (although the bite has little effect on dogs and cats). There are many species of funnel-web spiders in Australia but only male Sydney Funnel-webs have caused human deaths.
Introduction. Australian Huntsman spiders belong to the Family Sparassidae (formerly Heteropodidae) and are famed as being the hairy so-called 'tarantulas' on house walls that terrify people by scuttling out from behind curtains.
Huntsman spiders are probably one of the most common (and scariest!) spiders in Australia. Their size, fast movement and ability to “jump”, coupled with their habit of finding their way into houses and cars, has frightened many an Australian! However, in reality huntsman spiders do more good than harm.
The spider, which has been named Chikunia bilde, has been found on the Indonesian island of Bali and has surprised researchers with its "unusually tolerant" demeanor towards humans and other spiders.
The Deadliest Spider In The World: The Sydney Funnel-Web Spider. The Sydney funnel-web spider is considered deadly because its venom kills within a few minutes. The Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) is the most dangerous spider on the planet. This species is native to eastern Australia.
The funnel web “classically speaking” is considered the world's deadliest spider because it “kills so quickly”. “In terms of speed of death, in Australia we say funnel web, 15 minutes, no sweat,” Raven said. “With a funnel web bite to the torso, you're dead. No other spider can claim that reputation.”
The top 5 deadliest spiders in Australia are the Sydney funnel-web spider, the northern tree funnel-web spider, the smaller southern tree funnel web spider, the Redback spider, and the recluse 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. They are more scared of us than we are of them.
Researchers in Australia discovered a rare, giant species of trapdoor spider found only in Central Queensland. Its name, Euoplos dignitas, comes from the Latin word meaning dignity or greatness, "reflecting the impressive size and nature of the spider," the Queensland Museum said in a statement.
“The spiders are probably larger in the urban areas as a result of more food, warmer temperatures (that is, the urban heat island effect) and a relaxation of predation,” Elizabeth says.
The largest spider in the world is Theraphosa blondi, commonly known as the Goliath birdeater, according to National Geographic. This tarantula can reach up to 11 inches in length and weigh 6 ounces; this size is big enough to cover a dinner plate, says Guinness World Records.
Do huntsman spiders intentionally chase you? No. If you try to catch a huntsman and it runs towards you, it isn't attacking. It is trying to get to a safe place, away from the giant human thing looming over it.
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 fact, according to the Australian Museum, the last recorded spider bite death in Australia was in 1979. No-one has been killed by a spider in Australia since. That's despite there being an estimated 2,000 redback bites on humans per year. Many of these, however, are 'dry' bites – no venom is actually released.
According to research conducted by McAfee, snakes are the top phobia for Aussies followed by spiders, heights and sharks.
Animals which feed directly on spiders include birds, reptiles, mammals and many arthropods, including other spiders, centipedes, scorpions and even some insects.
Some spiders have life spans of less than a year, while others may live for up to twenty years. However, spiders face many dangers that reduce their chances of reaching a ripe old age. Spiders and their eggs and young are food for many animals.