Key facts:
- Huntsman spiders are big and hairy, but they are not dangerous
- The most dangerous Australian spiders are the funnel-web spider and the redback spider
- Living in Australia means living with spiders
Australia is full of furry, feathered, and scaly animals, not found anywhere else in the world. Meet some common Australian animals and improve your English language skills with .
Learning notes
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Transcript
Living with spiders is part of life in Australia.
There are thousands of types of spiders.
If that makes you nervous, dont worry, not many of them are harmful.
Let’s find out how to live with spiders.
Living with Aussie Wildlife
Spiders
Some common spiders in Australia are the daddy long-legs, the orb spider and the huntsman spider.
Huntsman spiders are big and hairy.
They can jump, which can give us a fright.
You may find these spiders in your home or garden, but they are not dangerous.
They eat insects and mosquitos so these spiders can be good to have around.
The most dangerous Australian spiders are the funnel-web spider and the redback spider.
Their bites are very venomous, so you need to be very careful.
You can find funnel-webs on the east coast of Australia.
They are most common in New South Wales, including Sydney.
Funnel-web spiders live in burrows.
They make a web in a funnel-shaped burrow in dirt or logs.
Funnel-webs have black or brown bodies, long legs and big fangs.
Redback spiders live all over Australia and like cool, dark places.
They are black with a red mark on their end of their body.
You might find them under a barbeque, or in a garden shed.
There are a few simple ways to live with spiders in Australia.
Firstly, if you leave your shoes outside, always shake them before putting them on.
There may be a spider inside.
Secondly, if you hang your washing outside, give them a quick shake after taking them off the clothesline.
A spider may have climbed onto the clothes.
If you are bitten by a funnel-web or redback spider you will need to seek medical advice immediately.
There is anti-venom, which is a medicine, for both types of spider bites.
Quiz time!
Funnel web spiders live in a...
..web, burrow, or nest?
Funnel web spiders live in a burrow.
Australian spiders come in all shapes and sizes.
You may find them in the home, or the garden.
Living in Australia means living with spiders.
Credits
Living with Aussie Wildlife is a project made by SBS in partnership with and .
