Territory residents report increased activity in mouse spiders after recent rain
WHEN are Territorians most likely to come into contact with one of our freakiest residents – the northern mouse spider? You might hope the answer is ‘Never!’ ... but no such luck. Read on to find out
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AFTER rain is when Territorians are most likely to come into contact with one of our freakiest residents – the northern mouse spider.
Residents have reported and increase of the creepy-crawlies, after damp conditions have driven them out into the open.
A species of funnel-web, northern mouse spiders are big and black, with scary-looking fangs.
They mostly eat insects but will have a crack at small frogs, geckos and other spiders if they get the chance.
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Are they dangerous? Well not necessarily to humans, but a Mouse Spider bite has been described as being like a bite from a ‘bull terrier’.
Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Service factssheet says the species “bite very hard and deep and they don’t let go”.
“Scientists believe their venom is very toxic, but is rarely injected. Only one serious bite has been recorded.
“Most other bites recorded have not caused serious reactions.
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“Although Mouse Spider venom is intended to kill insects and small prey, not humans, it is best to avoid being bitten.”
Australia has eight species of Mouse Spider and at least two are found in the Northern Territory, the Northern Mouse Spider, and the Red-headed Mouse Spider.
All are bulky trapdoor spiders which can grow as big as a fifty cent piece,” the factsheet reads.
Common in many suburbs, they live in burrows in the ground which can reach around 30 centimetres, so are hard to find.
Females usually remain in or near their burrows for their whole life, so they hardly ever come into contact with people, but male Mouse Spiders can be found wandering around at night especially after rain searching for a mate.
Males will try to make themselves look as frightening as possible if disturbed.
They will tilt back their body and raise their front legs so that you can easily see their long fangs.
Best advice – leave them alone.
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