Queensland floods : Wildlife Rescue

Huge spider rescued from Queensland floodwaters



IT REALLY does sound like something from a horror movie: a giant spider larger than a man’s hand, which makes loud hissing sounds and has powerful long venomous fangs.
While many people would run the other way when face-to-face with such an enormous arachnid, a group of North Queensland locals did the opposite and saved the terrifying creature when it was found dangling for dear life on a branch overhanging flooded water.
The spider is believed to be a whistling spider (Australian tarantula) — the name relates to the sound they make when feeling threatened. They are also known as bird-eating spiders.
Found in the warmer and more arid regions of Australia, the largest species can grow a body length of 6cm and a leg span of 16cm, with powerful fangs 1cm long.
“They are large to very large grey or brown spiders that are very hairy with two finger-like spinnerets at the end of the body. Thick hair pads on their legs and ‘feet’ allow these spiders to easily climb glass or smooth plastic walls,” explained Queensland Museum.
The habitat of the whistling spider ranges from sandy deserts to rainforests, with the creature constructing long, silk-lined burrows surrounded by loose strands of web to give advanced warnings of approaching prey or danger.



Despite being dubbed the “bird-eating spider”, the tarantula rarely eats birds — the bulk of the diet comprises insects, lizards, frogs, and other spiders.
Tarantulas can be quite aggressive if mishandled and even though their fangs are long and robust, they are not deadly to humans.
“Their bite is quickly fatal to dogs and cats, but only one report of serious illness from a bite to a human has occurred,” explained Queensland Museum.
The female bird-eating spider spends most of her life in her burrow, although will exit during early spring and summer when the males approache to mate.
Females lay around 50 eggs into a 3cm diameter sack, which is stored in the burrow and protected by a tough cover of silk. Although, the female will often secure the sack between her palps and fang tips to take it with her when she leaves to hunt.
Sadly male tarantulas usually die after mating at around five years of age, while females can live up to 30 years.

WhoseYourWolfie wrote:

There are also plenty of crocodiles, sharks and snakes being temporarily displaced by recent floods up there around the Far North/Top End/FNQ...

I reckon we could send some of them over to Maddog's neighbourhood for a bit of R&R..

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/australia/crocodiles-invade-queensland-town

https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/its-a-croc-invasion/news-story/8cd4c8cc7f3985e0790ce4a9a202778c