VENOM TOXICITY - Australian tarantulas are non-aggressive, but if provoked it can inflict a painful bite. An adult’s fangs can be 1cm long. Severe illness may result with nausea and vomiting for 6 to 8 hours have been reported from bites. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist. Collect spider for a positive identification.
Area of distribution - Found in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory, Western Australia and north-western Victoria - habitats ranging from rainforest to desert.
Spider Identification - Australian tarantulas have a large thick body of around 6 cm in length - leg span 16 cm - fangs 1 cm long. Several species varying in colour from dark chocolate-brown to pale fawn, often with a silvery sheen. Some species have long hairs on their rear legs. Australian tarantulas are also called Whistling spiders, Barking spiders and Bird-eating spiders.
Habitat - Adult female Australian tarantulas live in web-lined burrows in the ground of up to 100 cm deep. The male tarantulas often construct silk webbing retreats under rocks or logs. Their burrows may be plugged during cold winter months and hot summer days. Australian tarantulas sometimes eat but mainly eat other spiders, insects, frogs and lizards. Female tarantulas may live up to 12 years and spend most of her life in her burrow.
CLICK HERE - FIRST AID - Australian Tarantula Spider Bite |
