South Queensland tarantula

Fact Box Species: Selenocosmia stirlingi (RM) Family: Theraphosidae Body length: female: 45 mm male: 36 mm Habitat: In a deep burrow in open bush and native grasslands in inland districts. The burrow entrance is up to 25 mm across and is likely to be built where there is some shade to reduce the risk of desiccation. It lacks a door but may have webbing around it and also a thin veil of webbing across its entrance Toxicity: This spider may cause significant illness in humans, males being prone to wander during rain in the mating season (autumn), but most tarantula species move slowly and usually show only sham aggression

Underside of spider The male? Another specimen A related species Burrow entrance Another burrow

This species is also called the barking spider or the bird-eating spider, neither of which is really appropriate.

Distinguishing features are the hirsute (hairy) legs, the presence of brushes on the ends of the legs, and the relatively long spinnerets. Theraphosids are the only true tarantulas, but some people erroneously call huntsmen spiders tarantulas although the two are very different in appearance and in family relationships.

Tarantulas are not found below the Toowoomba range and on the eastern Darling Downs or the South-east Queensland coastal districts but can be found in drier districts to the west and north of Toowoomba and much further into central and northern Australia.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Only other theraphosids.