How Common Are Spiders in Melbourne?
WouterMelbourne, Australia has a number of species of spiders. There are over 2400 arachnids in the country, and some are even venomous. A few of these species can bite humans and cause skin necrosis.
The black house spider is the most common spider found in Melbourne. These spiders are commonly found in buildings and outdoors. They make their webs on furniture and crevices. The male spiders are smaller than the females. They produce up to 250 eggs in their egg sacs. The females remain in the silk-lined burrow.
Huntsman spiders are also common in Melbourne. These spiders are large hairy spiders with legs that extend forward. They are very fast moving and are renowned for scaring people.
The red back spider is another common species in Melbourne. These spiders have a reputation for causing human deaths. They live on logs, outdoor furniture and under outdoor toilet seats. They build a messy web and rarely leave it once it has been constructed. If they are disturbed, they will fall to the floor. They can sometimes be aggressive if disturbed.
The funnel-web spider is related to the Sydney funnel-web spider. They are nocturnal ground-dwellers. They are most commonly seen in the Dandenong Ranges. They have a lifespan of five to 20 years. They can be confused with the black house spider, but the two are not related.
The water spider is a species that is found in eastern Australia. They have hairs on the tips of their feet and feed on insects that swim on the surface of the water.
