Spiders
Tasmania is home to well over 260 species of spiders spread across dozens of families, with many more undescribed species still being discovered by researchers.
The diverse ecosystem in Tasmania hosts a wide array of spiders, ranging from tiny jumping spiders to massive huntsmen. Some of the most notable types include: Black House Spider, Huntsman, Redback Spider, White Tailed Spider among many more, most of which not being a danger to humans.
Black House Spider
The black house spider (Badumna insignis) is common in Tasmanian houses and gardens. In nature they will usually nest in rough barked trees. It is when they venture to civilisation that they become problematic, as they tend to build webs in corners, along windows and doorways and in lights that they use to attract prey. Webs are usually funnel shaped.
The bite is poisonous but is not “considered” dangerous. Many people however to react badly to this spider’s bite, which is excruciatingly painful, and may feel symptoms of nausea, vomiting , sweating and occasionally skin legions have developed.
The spider is between 10-18mm long at the body, black/brown with a greyer abdomen covered in fine hair.
Huntsman Spider
The huntsman spider (Sparassidae) is commonly found in Tasmanian urban areas.
They are considered a large spider by Tasmanian standards with body length often reaching 70mm. Many huntsman spiders are dull shades of brown or grey. Their legs are covered with fairly prominent spines, but the rest of their bodies appear smooth. They are frequently found in sheds, garages and other infrequently-disturbed places. They also can be found indoors, often brought in in the wood or the washing or even shoes.
A favourite place is in the family car.
They do bite if provoked, but the victim will suffer only minor swelling and localised pain, and will recover in a day or two.
Redback Spider
The Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is common through most gardens in Tasmania. Webs are usually built in dry, sheltered sites, such as among rocks, in logs, shrubs, old tires, sheds, outhouses, children's toys or under rubbish or litter. They are common in garden sheds.
Redbacks are considered one of the most dangerous spiders in Australia. The Redback spider has a neurotoxic venom which is toxic to humans with bites causing severe pain. There is an antivenom for Redback bites which is commercially available.
Female Redbacks are easily identifiable by their red stripe running down the back of the small black body with thin long legs. Males are smaller in size and lack the red stripe.