Spider... The name alone brings shivers down the spine of many people. There are approximately 70,000 species of spiders worldwide of which 2,000 are found in Australia.
Many people tend to think of spiders as insects, but they are not. There are three major differences. Spiders have 4 pairs of legs, as opposed to insects, which have 3 pairs. Spiders have singular eyes with lenses (eight in all), while insects have compound eyes, and unlike insects, spiders do not have antennae.
The body consists of two parts. The head and breast, which are made from a hardened material and are called prosoma or cephalothorax, and a soft abdomen called opisthosoma. The two are connected by a tine tube called a pedicel. Their eight legs, two jaws and two feelers are all connected to the prosoma.
Of all the spider species found in Australia, only two are considered dangerous and capable of causing death, the Funnel-Web Spider and the Red-Back Spider, although other spider bites can cause rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, swelling and persistent pain and tingling. The majority of spiders are just guilty of annoying us, by building webs in inappropriate places, such as pathways, doorways, etc. and scaring us when we see one.
Below, we have listed some of the common spiders found in the Sydney area.
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The male Sydney Funnel-Web spider is the deadliest spider on earth and can cause death in as little as 15 minutes. It's venom is six times more toxic than that of the female. It is a ground dwelling spider that loves moist areas and can survive under water for several days. The male can reach 25mm in length, while the female is slightly larger at 30mm and have a shiny black to dark brown head/thorax, with a black to dark plum abdomen. It is a very aggressive spider and can inflict multiple bites. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
The Red-Back spider is the other dangerous spider in the Sydney area, although it can be found all throughout Australia, including Tasmania. Although one bite can cause serious illness to the young and the elderly, multiple bites can cause death within 30 minutes, as the venom attacks the nervous system. Unlike the funnel-web, the red-back spider prefers dry dark areas. It's body can vary in size, with the largest approximately reaching the size of a pea. It can be generally recognised by the red mark on it's back, although the colour can vary and be white, silver or absent altogether. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
The White-Tail spider, although not as dangerous as the two above, can be found all throughout Australia. Their bites can cause initial burning pain followed by swelling and itchiness at the bitten area and on occasions blisters and ulcerations. They are commonly found under rocks and logs, but like to frequent gardens and houses, where they find most of their prey, which is other spiders and especially the Black House spider. They range in size from 12 - 18mm, have a dark cylindrical shaped body with dark orange-brown banded legs and a distinctive white spot at the end of their bodies, from which they derive their name. If bitten, seek medical attention, as the bitten area can become infected.
For more information about Spiders, please visit the Australian Museum online.
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