Why Does Australia Have So Many Spiders?
WouterThe Australian bird-eating spider is one of the most intimidating predators out there, with its long legs and sucky fangs. It’s also a fierce predator when it comes to frogs and rodents.
There are thousands of species of spiders in Australia. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are venomous, while others aren’t.
They are a vital part of the ecosystem. Spiders help to keep houses and other buildings free of insects. When a spider is spotted, it’s best to attempt to remove it. If that fails, it’s time to call the experts.
For many of the larger species, the warmer weather of Australia is ideal. A warm climate leads to a longer growing season for arachnids and increases metabolic functions. These creatures can’t survive in cold weather, so the warmer it gets, the more food they can eat.
Interestingly, Australians believe that each living creature should be allowed to live. As such, they don’t kill big spiders in their homes.
Australia is a desert, but that doesn’t mean it has fewer spiders than some of its southern counterparts. In fact, there are over 10,000 types of spiders. Most of them are harmless, although the red back spider is a danger to humans.
Spiders are a key component of the food chain. As a natural ecological function, they reduce insect populations. Depending on the species, they need to eat between 10 and 20 percent of their own weight. Generally, the bigger the spider, the more prey it can consume.
