9 Most Terrifying Spiders Found in Australia

Written by Emilio Brown
Updated: April 25, 2023
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Spiders are one of the world’s most feared animals, and there are more than 45,000 species that live across the globe. Australia is also known for the dangerous animals that it houses like venomous snakes, and deadly sharks near its seas, but what about its spiders? In this article, you will discover 9 of the most terrifying spiders found in Australia. 

9 Most Terrifying Spiders Found in Australia

In Australia, it is estimated there are around 10,000 different spider species, but only around 2,500 have been described. Some of the spiders in Australia have very potent venom, while others are harmless, but have a frightening appearance. Let’s take a look at 9 terrifying spiders found in Australia. The spiders on this list are just a few of the many types you will see in the Land Down Under.

1. Scorpion Tailed Spider (Arachnurea higginsi)

Scorpion tailed spider

The scorpion tailed spider is found in many regions within Australia, like Queens, Tasmania, and the country’s southern states.

©RealityImages/Shutterstock.com

The scorpion tailed spider is found in many regions within Australia, like Queens, Tasmania, and the country’s southern states. This spider is common in the country. They are members of the Araneidae orb weaver family and build circular-shaped webs. This spider builds its webs close to the ground, found in vegetated areas like brushlands and gardens. Scorpion tailed spiders are active during the day and sit in the center of their web waiting for prey.

The body of this spider is very unique, and these spiders get their name from their scorpion-like appearance. Females are larger than males, and adults are around 16 mm (0.62 in.). Males lack the scorpion tail, and are only around 2 mm (0.078 in.). 

Despite its name and appearance, this spider cannot sting like a scorpion, and its venom is harmless. When threatened they will curl up to protect themselves. Jumping spiders and birds are their main predators.

2. Alien Butt Spider (Araneus praesignis)

Alien Butt Spider

Alien butt spiders have an out of this word abdomen, as from behind their bodies look like the face of an extraterrestrial.

©760 × 626 pixels, file size: 195 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License

These spiders have an out of this word abdomen, as from behind their bodies look like the face of an extraterrestrial. Their coloring is also a vibrant green, helping them blend into the vegetation they live in. Dark markings appear on this spider’s abdomen, which looks like alien eyes, and are useful for confusing predators. 

Found in Queensland Australia, this spider is a type of orbweaver and is primarily nocturnal. During the day they hide silk retreat. Alienbutt spiders use their sticky silk to catch insects. They were first described in 1872, by the German arachnologist Ludwig Koch.

3. Horned Triangular Spider (Arkys cornutus)

Horned Triangular Spider

This spider is one of the most terrifying in Australia that is relatively common to come across.

©760 × 760 pixels, file size: 138 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License

Triangular spiders are native to Australasia and are found in regions including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, New Caledonia, and Australia. This spider is one of the most terrifying in Australia that is relatively common to come across. In the country, this spider’s range mainly covers the far coastal regions. 

Horned triangular spiders have abdomens that are triangular or heart shaped. They have red, yellow, orange, white, or black coloring, with a spot pattern on their abdomens. The front legs of these spiders are larger than the rest of their appendages and are covered in large spikes. Males have narrow bodies but have similar coloring and markings to females.

4. Green Huntsman Spider (Micrommata virescens)

Green Huntsman Spider

Green huntsman spiders are found in woodlands, gardens, and other vegetated habitats.

©Macronatura.es/Shutterstock.com

Most huntsman spiders are typically gray, black, or tan, but the green huntsman spider is unique due to its vibrant plant-colored hue. Green huntsman spiders are found in woodlands, gardens, and other vegetated habitats. Active in the day, their green coloring helps them blend into the vegetation they hunt near. They may also have creamish yellow, helping them hide in dry plant life.

Huntsman spiders are named after their adept hunting abilities, and they are ambush spiders that chase down prey instead of using webs. A medium-sized species, this spider’s body size ranges from 0.39 to 0.63 in. (7 to 16 mm).

5. Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti)

Close up of Redback Spider

Redback spiders are found across Australia and build a messy tangle of webs to live in.

©Peter Yeeles/Shutterstock.com

The redback spider is a member of the Latrodectus genus, which also includes the infamous black widow spiders found in the United States. Redback spiders are found across Australia and build a messy tangle of webs to live in. Their webs tend to be close to the ground, made areas like in kids’ toys, under furniture, sheds, woodpiles, and other secluded places. 

Redback spiders are nocturnal and are sighted most during the warmer months in Australia’s summer. As a sexual dimorphic spider, females, and males have differences in their appearance. Females are dark black, with red coloring on their abdomen. Males are smaller, with white, and brown coloring. Both have a red hourglass on the bottom of their abdomen.

Female redback spiders have venom that is medically significant to humans. Thousands of people get bit by this spider yearly, and its venom causes symptoms such as vomiting, muscle aches, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. The illness from a widow spider bite is called Latrodectism, and anti-venom is available if symptoms are serious.

6. Golden Huntsman Spider (Beregama aurea)

Golden Huntsman Spider

The Golden huntsman spider is one of the biggest and most terrifying spiders in Australia.

©Heather Ruth Rose/Shutterstock.com

There are around 94 species of huntsman spiders in Australia, known for their larger size, and mastery of ambush hunting. The Golden huntsman spider is one of the biggest and most terrifying spiders in Australia. It was once considered the largest member of the Sparassidae huntsman spider family before the discovery of the Giant Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda maxima). 

This spider in Australia has a body size of around 0.7 in. (1.8 cm), and a leg span that reaches up to 5.9 in. (14.9 cm). Golden huntsman spiders are mainly found far north in Queensland, but their range may extend as far out as New South Wales. 

Their bodies are flat, which helps them squeeze into tight crevices, sometimes allowing them to come indoors. Their egg sacs can reach the size of golf balls, and this huntsman spider is named after its golden yellow coloring.

7. Red-Headed Mouse Spider (Missulena occatoria)

Male red-headed mouse spider (Missulena occatoria)

The red-headed mouse spider has the largest range of

mouse spiders

in Australia.

©Wright Out There/Shutterstock.com

Australia is home to 8 mouse spider species. The red-headed mouse spider has the largest range of mouse spiders in Australia, but they are mainly found in the west of the Great Dividing Range. This spider is a burrowing species, and males may sometimes be seen in the country’s summer wandering for a mate. 

Red-headed mouse spiders are sexually dimorphic. Male spiders of this species are where their name originates since they have bright red heads. Females have large robust bodies, with jet-black, to bluish-black coloring. Their size ranges from 0.59  to 1.37 in. (15 to 35 mm).

The venom from this spider is potent, and mouse spiders are one of the most venomous species in Australia. They are called mouse spiders since they may feed on small rodents, and when first discovered they were sighted in a hole that resembled a mouse den. 

8. Queensland Whistling Tarantula (Selenocosmia crassipes)

Whistling Spider (Selenocosmia crassipes)

©iStock.com/Ken Griffiths

Out of all the spiders in Australia, the Queensland whistling spider is the largest spider species in the country. A burrowing spider, this species is native to the eastern coast of Queensland Australia. They are also called bird-eating tarantulas, barking spiders, and whistling spiders. Queensland whistling tarantulas that are female can live up to 30 years, while males can live up to 8. When threatened they make a whistling, or hissing sound. 

This large tarantula has a body size ranging from 2.4 to 3.5 in. (6 to 9 cm). When measured with their leg span they measure up to 8.7 in. (22cm). Whistling spiders rarely stray from their burrow. While called bird-eating tarantulas, it is rare for them to come across a bird. They feed on small lizards, amphibians, and other spiders. 

The large fangs of this spider can produce a painful bite, but their venom is also dangerous. For humans, symptoms include swelling, nausea, and intense pain in the area envenomated. Their venom is capable of killing small animals within 30 minutes. 

9. Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus)

Most Venomous Spider

The Sydney funnel-web spider is the most dangerous species in the country.

©James van den Broek/Shutterstock.com

In Australia out of all of the terrifying spiders you can come across, the Sydney funnel-web spider is the most dangerous species in the country. Their venom is one of the strongest in the world and is as potent as the Brazilian wandering spider. Sydney funnel weavers that are younger, or female have less potent venom. 

Sydney funnel weavers have a large robust body, ranging from 0.4 to 2 in. (1 to 5 cm). They are dark black, to brown, and have bulbous abdomens with a tail-like spinneret on their ends. Along with having potent venom, this spider has large fangs that can deliver very painful bites. 

This spider is capable of living up to 20 years and is a terrestrial spider that prefers areas with moist, sandy soil. Building tubular burrows, females are rarely visible since they spend the majority of their lives underground. Male Sydney funnel spiders are easy to find, in the warm months they wander to look for a mate. In Australia, this spider is mainly in the eastern region. Estimates are around 30 to 40 people receive a bite yearly by this spider.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/maria72


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About the Author

Spiders, snakes, and lizards are my favorite types of animals, and I enjoy keeping some species as pets. I love learning about the various wonders nature has to offer and have been a writer for 5 years. In my spare time, you can find me getting out into nature.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Which spider is most dangerous in Australia?

Sydney funnel-web spider is the most dangerous species in the country. Their venom is considered one of the strongest in the world and is as potent as the Brazilian wandering spider

What is the largest spider in Australia?

The Queensland whistling spider is the largest spider species in the country.

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