“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.
The combination of warm climates and moisture provides the perfect prerequisites for an abundance of food year-round. This constant access to nourishment has given many species of insects the ability to grow and flourish over years of development.
A large species of tarantula native to the east coast region of Australia, the whistling spider, is the largest spider in the country. As the largest spider in Australia, whistling spiders can grow a leg span of up to 16 cm (6.2 inches) and a body size of around 6 cm (2.3 inches).
An estimated 5 per cent of Australians have arachnophobia, but there are plenty of others happy to get close to the creepy crawlies.
Black house spiders are generally small, with females growing up to 12 – 18 mm in length, and males growing up to 9 – 15 mm in length. Short grey hairs are usually visible on their carapace, while their abdomen is typically grey and covered in variegated patterns of white markings.
The giant huntsman spider (Heteropoda maxima) is a species of the huntsman spider family Sparassidae found in Laos. It is considered the world's largest spider by leg span, which can reach up to 30 cm (1 ft).
Due to their low weight compared with body surface area, and the thread acting as a parachute, a true spider should survive a fall.
You can be prepared without making it scary. There are all kinds of dangerous things in Australia. Spiders are only part of it: we have stingers, blue-ringed octopus, stonefish, sharks, snakes…but fear of wildlife isn't a reason not to move here. Just remember, your home country likely has dangerous creatures too.
Which any Aussie will tell you, you absolutely should. But in general, the spiders and snakes keep themselves to themselves. Your most common encounter will be cockroaches, but since they exist in every hot country, from France to the US, roaches shouldn't put you off the Australian way of life.
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.
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.
Despite their often large and hairy appearance, huntsman spiders are not considered to be dangerous spiders. As with most spiders, they do possess venom, and a bite may cause some ill effects. However, they are quite reluctant to bite, and will usually try to run away rather than be aggressive.
#1.
Close-up of Mosquito (Aedes aegypti) sucking blood on human skin. The mosquito is the single deadliest, most dangerous animal in the world and also one of the smallest. Mosquitoes are estimated to cause between 750,000 and one million human deaths per year.
Wētā have been around long enough to see dinosaurs come and go and to evolve into more than 100 different species, all of them endemic to New Zealand. The Giant Wētā is the world's heaviest insect in terms of weight, which at 71g is three times that of a mouse and heavier than a sparrow.
Other continents have several ancestors that may or may not have been venomous, but Australia's 140 terrestrial and 30 marine snake species all evolved from one venomous ancestor.
Generally, spiders want to avoid humans and will only bite as a defense mechanism if they are provoked. Many are extraordinary at hiding or camouflaging themselves because they don't want to be seen.
One word of caution: It is always best to avoid touching a Spider. While they never actively seek human contact, they will bite if they feel threatened or endangered. Their venom causes reactions that differ from species to species and person to person.
Because spiders smell and taste with their legs, spritzing natural oil (in particular, peppermint oil) on surfaces around your home can help deter spiders from sticking around. To do this, add about 20 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray it around your home's spider-affected areas.
Danger to humans
Black House Spiders are timid animals and bites from them are infrequent. The bite may be quite painful and cause local swelling. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating and giddiness are occasionally recorded.
Spiders don't like the smells of strong odours such as cinnamon, eucalyptus oil and citrus. Use cinnamon candles and spray eucalyptus and lemon/orange oil in areas where you often see webs.
A town is now covered in webs. An Australian region has been caught in webs of thousands of spiders after severe floods that have forced people — and arachnids — to find drier land.
No, spiders do not pee. A spider poop can be seen as a liquid white substance and spiders only have one hole for releasing waste. Both pee and poop are combined for a spider which comes out as one waste product from their anus.
Hunting spiders easily climb vertical surfaces or move upside down on the ceiling. A thousand tiny hairs at the ends of their legs make sure they do not fall off.
It seems that two factors may have resulted in the larger urban spiders: temperature and prey availability. Buildings, concrete, tarmac and hard materials store up heat and make urban areas warmer.