Australian tarantulas are large spiders and can be much more aggressive than their South American relatives. If disturbed, individuals may 'rear up' and appear rather menacing. The bite is painful, as the fangs are large and can grow up to one centimetre long.
Tarantulas are a low maintenance, inexpensive and quiet pets, that take very little space. Their distinctive and fascinating behaviors make them an phenomenal observational pet and with proper care, they can be harmless.
Australian tarantulas are carnivores and eat insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders. These spiders are non-aggressive and although they have quite large fangs which can penetrate a human's skin, their bite is not deadly.
VENOM TOXICITY - Australian tarantulas are non-aggressive, but if provoked it can inflict a painful bite. An adult's fangs can be 1cm long. Severe illness may result with nausea and vomiting for 6 to 8 hours have been reported from bites. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Selenocosmia crassipes can attain legspans of up to 22 cm (8.7 in). Its body length, from eyes to the rear of its abdomen, measures between 6 and 9 cm (2.4 and 3.5 in), making it the largest Australian tarantula.
Researchers in Australia discovered a rare, giant species of trapdoor spider found only in Central Queensland. Its name, Euoplos dignitas, comes from the Latin word meaning dignity or greatness, "reflecting the impressive size and nature of the spider," the Queensland Museum said in a statement.
Australian Featherleg Tarantula
Tarantulas are one of the most popular spiders to keep as pets. Please keep in mind that they are mildly venomous and you will need to take special care when deciding to take one on.
The bite is painful, as the fangs are large and can grow up to one centimetre long. Severe illness sometimes results, and nausea and vomiting for six to eight hours have been reported from bites. These large spiders should not be handled.
If a tarantula bites you, you may have pain at the site of the bite similar to a bee sting. The area of the bite may become warm and red. When one of these spiders is threatened, it rubs its hind legs across its own body surface and flicks thousands of tiny hairs toward the threat.
The Australian funnel-web spiders are among the deadliest spiders in the world in the effect their bites have on humans and our primate relations (although the bite has little effect on dogs and cats). There are many species of funnel-web spiders in Australia but only male Sydney Funnel-webs have caused human deaths.
Even pet tarantulas should not be handled if at all possible, although fans of spiders as pets often handle them anyway. A tarantula does not recognize its handler and often considers people as threats, so the chance of having hairs flung into your face or a bite delivered will always be there.
Brazilian Black Tarantulas are one of the best beginner spiders. They are famous for their docile temperament. These spiders are really known for their temperament. While no tarantula should be held very often, this species is known for being one of the calmest and docile.
Tarantulas Just Aren't That Into You
Spiders do have feelings, but unlike a dog or a cat, they won't bond with you. In fact, they likely won't even recognize you. They simply aren't hardwired to be companions to humans and should never be bought at pet stores, online, or anywhere else.
Generally, tarantulas respond to daily handling. They crawl freely when placed on an arm or shoulder, but they definitely are not a pet that an owner can cuddle. Tarantulas are very timid and bite only when provoked.
Phlogius is an unofficial genus of tarantulas that is currently called 'Selenocosmia'. This genus is known for it's fast growth rate and awesome webbing. These are slings with a roughly body length of 1cm. This species is from northern Queensland and is the largest known tarantula species in australia.
More about true tarantulas
Temperament: aggressive; will bite and throw off barbed hairs from their abdomen when annoyed.
There is no antidote for tarantula bites, but the pain can be managed with cool compresses (such as ice packs) and over-the-counter pain relievers (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen). All bites should be washed well with soap and water. Hairs stuck in the skin can be removed using a sticky tape such as duct tape.
“They can break them off by kicking them off the rear end of their abdomen, and the hairs float through the air. If you breathe them in, or get them in your eyes or between your fingers, they itch like crazy.”
Sydney funnel-web spider.
plumipes are shy and reclusive by nature, and defensive if disturbed. The species has a reputation for being calmer than other Australian species. Like most Australian tarantulas, S. plumipes has the ability to make a hissing noise if agitated, known as stridulation.
Females may live up to twelve years, but the males usually die after mating at around five years of age.
Sydney Funnel Web Spider
Found nearly exclusively in Sydney, this spider is often considered the most deadly in the world. With fangs that can pierce through fingernails, and one specimen reaching 10cm stretched out, this spider is serious business. A single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes.
The spider, which has been named Chikunia bilde, has been found on the Indonesian island of Bali and has surprised researchers with its "unusually tolerant" demeanor towards humans and other spiders.
The danger of spiders in Australia
The two most dangerous groups are those commonly known as Funnel web spiders (which include 3 genera of spiders) and Redback spiders.