Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Redback Spider

Latrodectus hasselti

Photo by DeeSA
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-34.9538, 138.626

Field Notes

Description:

The Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is a potentially dangerous spider endemic to Australia. It is a member of the genus Latrodectus or the widow family of spiders, which are found throughout the world. The female is easily recognisable by her black body with a prominent red stripe on the upper side (i.e. the back) of her abdomen. Females have a body length of about a centimetre while the male is smaller, being only 3 to 4 millimetres long. The Redback spider is one of few arachnids which display sexual cannibalism while mating.
Redbacks are considered one of the most dangerous spiders in Australia.[1] The Redback spider has a neurotoxic venom which is toxic to humans with bites causing severe pain. There is an antivenom for Redback bites which is commercially available.

Notes:

feasting on a millipede

Reference Links:

Redback spider

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (10)
Andy Mortlock
Great pictures. All animals need to be respected in their own environments.
Wild Things
That is sad Emma, we must keep away from them and understand that they are not on our land, it is their land and we are the ones who are on their land.
HemaShah
There are roughly 6000 Rattlesnake bite deaths per year in San Franscisco. Out of these 4000 are teenagers who are drunk. Obviously they loose their presence of mind around the snake.
lori.tas
Yep, a brown recluse bit my brother-in-law on the knee. The ulceration was so deep that he ended up using a cane several year after. Know your venomous critters, and treat accordingly. Btw, Tassies' snakes, all venomous - which is why I relocate them.
hookgv
I can't even find any redbacks around my place, wanted to get pix of them also.
HemaShah
lori ,thanks for your note.I am anti killing too. We are very fortunate to have the Lindsay museum of Wild life to whom we can turn for advice. They do recommend transporting and relocating a Brown Recluse though. I agree that man is the most dangerous animal by far.
lori.tas
Emma, I used to live with lots of black widows and found them complete passive. You literally would have to touch one to get bitten. So, I never stuck my hands in dark places where I couldn't see them and and the widows and I managed to co-habitate just fine. That said, I did have a neighbor who stopped breathing when bitten, and had to be rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately she was one of the 1% that has a severe reaction to the bite. I just don't like it when people get worked up about "dangerous" animals and use that as an excuse to kill them. Man is the most dangerous animal by far.
HemaShah
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6670012 Deesa, This is a Black widow I found in my backyard. They can kill up to 1 percent of the people they bite. They have neuro toxins and can cause respiratory problems in the victim.
lori.tas
Mmmm. Millipede for lunch. ;) Nice shots. We have the big black house spiders here, but I have yet to see a redback.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
International Spider Survey
Photographed
PublishedAugust 6, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies