A House Visitor

I saw my first Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasselti) the other day! She was hanging out along the ceiling in the bathroom, starting to make a web. According to the Australian Museum website, "Only the female bite is dangerous. They can cause serious illness and have caused deaths. However, since Redback Spiders rarely leave their webs, humans are not likely to be bitten unless a body part such as a hand is put directly into the web, and because of their small jaws many bites are ineffective." Don't worry, I didn't stick my hand in the web, but I did get a few pictures before I collected her in a cup and took her outside, far away from the house.

 

 Female Redback Spider in my bathroom (Latrodectus hasselti)

I also had a close encounter with a Huntsman Spider (I'm not sure which species). I was finishing a census at night and was reaching for the power box to turn off the electricity when I saw a HUGE spider sitting right on the handle. It startled me to death! It did not like my light so it immediately scurried off and tried to hide. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, but this picture from the Queensland Museum website gives a good approximation, although I'm not sure if the Grey Huntsman Spider occurs in South Australia:

A Grey Huntsman Spider (Holconia immanis) from Queensland (No, that's not my finger.)

Huntsman Spiders are the "tarantulas." These guys are not really dangerous, although their bites can be painful. I'll just have to be watch out where I stick my hands from now on!