How Bad Are Spiders in Melbourne?
WouterSpiders are known to sting humans, but they are not harmful to us. They are predators, and prey on insects, lizards and small invertebrates.
In Australia, there are two groups of spiders. The white-tailed spiders and the huntsman spiders. These two groups are not dangerous to humans, but the venom of some spiders can cause serious illnesses.
The Sydney funnel-web spider is the most venomous spider in Australia. This spider is also one of the deadliest spiders in the world. Its fangs are bigger than those of the deadly Australian Brown snake. Male funnel-web spiders may enter buildings, and females tend to stay inside their silk-lined burrow.
The Australian redback spider is another venomous species. This spider is found in dark and sheltered places, such as pipes, rubbish and toilets. It can be very dangerous to children, so if you think a spider has bitten your child, you should seek medical attention immediately.
The Melbourne trapdoor spider is a common ground dwelling spider. These spiders are covered with fine hairs, and are 15 to 35 mm long. They are light to dark brown in colour. They feed at night, and usually dig a hole in the soft earth up to 40 cm deep.
The trap door spider has a burrow that is camouflaged, and trick prey into falling into the burrow. When the prey tries to get out, the spider tricks it into entering the burrow, which is filled with venom.
