INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Bird Eating Spider is one of Australia's largest spiders. It is also known as the Barking Spider or Whistling Spider. These are its common names. The barking or whistling sound is a warning when the spider is disturbed and is made by rubbing their palps with their fangs. Selenoiosmia Cresipes is its Latin name, and it is closely related to the Barking Spiders of South America. This spider is truly a giant as its body reaches the length of 55mm. The male is slightly smaller and slimmer than the female but is still large and powerful. The body of the male grows up to 40mm. The colour of the spider is various shades of rusty brown. |
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HABITATBird Eating Spiders kill their prey by pouncing on it and injecting venom. They eat insects, lizards, frogs occasionally, small birds and other spiders (particularly the Lycosa species). All food is captured in the area near their burrows. As they have no teeth, they rely on digestive juices to dissolve their food. This is quite amazing. |