Feared all around the world, tarantulas are a group of rather large and hairy spiders with over 1,000 species having been identified with 156 genera.
But despite their terrifying look, these spiders are not as dangerous as the movies make them out to be.
Tarantulas occupy a unique place in Australia’s ecology and culture. Though often feared these large hairy spiders are generally not aggressive towards humans. Getting to know their habits and habitats can help dispel the myths surrounding them.
There are seven species of tarantula that are native to Australia. They belong to the family Theraphosidae, and can have leg spans of up to 16 cm Some common species include the whistling tarantula, barking tarantula, and brush tarantula
Despite their intimidating appearance, Australian tarantulas are not considered dangerous They rarely bite humans unless provoked If they do bite, it is usually less severe than a bee sting. Their venom can cause localized pain and nausea but is not deadly.
Habitats and Behaviors
Tarantulas inhabit a wide range of environments across Australia, including rainforests, deserts, and open forests. They make their homes by burrowing into the ground, creating dens up to 100 cm deep lined with silk webs. These burrows help them regulate their temperature and stay protected.
Females spend most of their long lifespans (up to 12 years) inside their burrows. Males roam in search of mates. When they find a female’s burrow, they use rituals like drumming their palps to entice her out to breed.
Tarantulas are sit-and-wait predators that eat insects, small reptiles, frogs, and other spiders. Some species are known for the sounds they can make by stridulating, which is rubbing specialized body parts together. This creates a whistling or barking noise that may deter predators.
Breeding and Life Cycle
Mating takes place at the entrance of the female’s burrow in spring and summer. Shortly after, she lays around 50 eggs in a silk egg sac inside the burrow. The eggs hatch into spiderlings that remain in the burrow during their early molts.
The young spiders eventually leave the burrow and disperse. Females continue growing throughout their long lives, while males die shortly after reaching maturity around 5 years old. With the adults removed by collectors, tarantula populations can easily become threatened.
Conservation Concerns
The popularity of Australian tarantulas in the pet trade has raised concerns about over-collection. Large adults are removed from the wild and sold, disrupting local populations. Some species with limited habitats are at particular risk.
There are also many tarantulas found in northern Queensland that have yet to be described by scientists. Removing them as pets before research can be done threatens these potentially new and endemic species.
To help address these issues, some tarantula breeders are working to produce captive-bred specimens for the pet trade. This could reduce pressure on wild populations if done properly over the long term. More scientific research and public education are also needed.
Fascinating Arachnids, Not Monsters
While tarantulas look intimidating, they play an important role as predators in Australia’s ecosystems. Getting to know them can help replace irrational fears with appreciation. If we make the effort to understand tarantulas and their lives in the outback, these unique spiders may not seem so scary after all.
Are Tarantulas dangerous to humans?
Contrary to popular belief, tarantulas are not usually aggressive and are of little threat to humans. When provoked, these spiders will ‘rear up’ and can appear rather menacing. However, their venom (while toxic to small insects and other types of prey) has very low toxicity to humans. As such, tarantula bites tend to be harmless and may only result in muscle cramping afterwards.
Tarantulas prefer the darkness and commonly build burrows underground. Instead of spinning webs, tarantulas spin trip wires that signal when a small insect is approaching the burrow, which they then ambush and paralyse.
In saying that, not all tarantulas are harmless. Their fangs are rather large and can be as long as those of snakes. As such, they can inflict painful bites that may result in terrible reactions like nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, or even inflammation of the eyes and nasal passages. These reactions can last from anywhere between six to eight house after the initial bite.
When it comes to spider bites, its always better to be safe than sorry. So, if you get bitten by a tarantula, consult the following first aid procedure:
- Reassure the casualty and keep them under constant observation.
- Apply a cold compress to the bite site for periods of up to 20 minutes to lessen the pain.
- If the casualty is a young child (under 8 years), a pregnant woman, or if they exhibit any signs of deterioration, follow the basic life support guidelines per DRSABCD and call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
- DO NOT use the Pressure Immobilisation Technique, as the venom moves slowly and this will just worsen the pain.
If the pain persists or you are worried about your symptoms, it is best to seek medical attention.
Tarantulas and their hunting habits
Tarantulas are spiders that prefer the darkness and are commonly found in burrows underground. Some tarantulas even hide under rocks and logs to conceal themselves from incoming predators and prey. Generally, these burrows correlate to the size of the spider and can have a depth from anywhere between 40 – 100 cm. These spiders mainly feed at night under the cover of darkness.
Tarantulas commonly prey on insects, though they are also known to feed on toads, mice, small frogs, and small snakes. Likewise, they occasionally ambush and eat other large insects like centipedes, millipedes, and other spiders. One of the few natural enemies that tarantulas have are the parasitic pepsis wasp. These wasps can paralyse a tarantula with one sting and lays their eggs on the spider’s body. When they larvae hatch, they will feed off the still-living tarantula.
Unlike other spiders, tarantulas don’t use webs to trap their prey. Instead, they spin a trip wire to signal an alert when a small insect happens to approach their burrow. Once this signal reaches the tarantula, it leaps out of its burrow, grabs the prey with its legs, and then uses its fangs to inject the prey with paralysing venom. Tarantulas then secrete a type of digestive enzyme that liquefies the prey’s body and sucks it up through their straw-like mouth openings.
The Tarantulas of Australia | Ultimate Spiders
FAQ
Does Australia have a tarantula?
Australian tarantulas are often known as whistling or barking spiders because of the sounds most species can produce by rubbing rows of modified spines on the basal segments of their palps (front pair of limb-like sensory/mating organs) against opposing spines on their jaw bases (the stridulating organ).
What is the biggest spider in Australia?
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Size:The giant huntsman spider can have a leg span of up to 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches).
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Appearance:They are known for their large size, long legs, and a distinctive green coloration on the underside of their abdomen, along with yellow-orange markings around their eyes and spots on their abdomen.
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Habitat:They are found along Australia’s eastern coast.
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Behavior:Huntsman spiders are known for their speed and agility, hunting their prey by running and leaping, rather than building webs.
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Venom:According to the Australian Museum, Huntsman spider bites do inject venom, but it is relatively harmless to humans. The effects are usually limited to temporary pain, swelling, and minor skin irritation. Serious complications are rare, making these bites less dangerous than commonly feared.
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Other Notable Spiders:While the giant huntsman is the largest, other large spiders in Australia include whistling spiders and trapdoor spiders.
What is the most poisonous tarantula in Australia?
1. Sydney funnel-web (Atrax robustus) With highly toxic venom produced in large amounts and large fangs to inject it, the Sydney funnel-web is without a doubt the deadliest spider in Australia, and possibly the world.
Are tarantulas allowed in Australia?
Unlicensed collection from the wild is illegal and could be having a devastating impact on the conservation of these spiders. Illegal collectors can wipe out local populations, potentially threatening entire species given that the number of different species is currently poorly known and some are yet to be identified.