Instead of fake spider pranks this Halloween, why not arm yourself with some facts about hair-raising arachnids?

For a Halloween treat, we’ve chosen five of the freakiest spiders from the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA). The ALA is our national biodiversity database, and it makes biodiversity data accessible to everyone. Not only can you access and analyse species information in your own neighbourhood, you can upload pictures yourself and help us build a bigger and better picture of the biodiversity near you.

Idiommata scintillans 

Idiommata scintillans. Image: Michael Roast
Idiommata scintillans. Image: Michael Roast

Idiommata scintillans. Image: Michael Roast

With its hairy legs and black uniform colour, Idiommata scintillans is like the prototype for joke-shop spiders, but don’t be fooled. It builds burrows that are sealed by a thick, inwards opening door and the males (identified by a silvery sheen on their back) may have a similar toxicity to funnel-web spiders.

Latrodectus hasseltii 

Latrodectus hasseltii. Image: Jock McKenzie
Latrodectus hasseltii. Image: Jock McKenzie

Latrodectus hasseltii. Image: Jock McKenzie

The famous Redback Spider is found throughout Australia. It likes to live close to where we live, but in undisturbed places like under a worm farm or pot plants.

Poltys illepidus

Poltys illepidus. Image: Steven Pearson
Poltys illepidus. Image: Steven Pearson

Poltys illepidus. Image: Steven Pearson

When resting, Poltys illepidus is very well camouflaged because it sits with its legs drawn up tightly, with only its eyes protruding between them. Can you spot its eyes halfway down its legs in this picture? Check out it if lives near you, then be on the lookout for what you might otherwise mistake for a (pretty hairy) broken stick.

Maratus fimbriatus

Maratus fimbriatus. Image: Stuart Harris
Maratus fimbriatus. Image: Stuart Harris

Maratus fimbriatus. Image: Stuart Harris

As a member of the genus referred to as peacock spiders (for their impressively coloured abdomens), this spider is sure to win the Halloween fancy dress prize. This species raises its first pair of legs as part of its display, while other peacock spiders raise their third pair.  They’re small and hard to spot, and were only found for the first time in 2014, which explains why there are not many records in the ALA. If you see one, be sure to upload your sighting.

Megadolomedes australianus

Megadolomedes australianus. Image: Louis Petrucco
Megadolomedes australianus. Image: Louis Petrucco

Megadolomedes australianus. Image: Louis Petrucco

As one of Australia’s largest spiders, Megadolomedes australianus has a leg span of up to 18cm! Adding to its freakiness is its ability to run on water.

Spend some more time on the web.

2 comments

  1. Margaret Cawsey

    9th November 2018 at 3:45 pm

    They are utterly beautiful creatures.

    Reply
  2. Richard Robinson

    1st November 2018 at 8:52 pm

    Spiders – a little known fact – Their eyes are like cats, doge etc and reflect light ! I go on our lawn during summer and there are usually 10 or so hunting spiders out easily found with a torch. If your gentle and quiet they think their invisible and you can get quite close.
    I think you could mention this next time spiders come around. 🙂

    Reply

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