The Semi-social Pygmy Tarantula (Coremiocnemis sp.) is a fascinating tarantula local to the Cairns region of Far North Queensland. Inhabitants of tropical rainforests, while they do burrow to some degree, they prefer to shelter under rocks and logs. They web extensively, making heavy use of silk sheet networks with one…
A metallic-silver spider previously unknown in Australia has been found living at multiple sites near Darwin in the Northern Territory by myself and entomologist Graham Brown. The spider, known as the Grass Cross Spider (Argiope catenulata), belongs to the group of large, colourful St. Andrew’s Cross Spiders that frequent gardens and…
One of the strangest things about living life as a minibeast (apart from having all those legs) would have to be the sudden urge to shed your skin. If you’re a keen observer of our spineless neighbours, you may have seen them quite literally crawl out of their skin –…
Have you heard there’s a new spider in town with a thirst for possum blood? Yesterday I was interviewed by Jules Schiller on ABC Drive (you can listen here just after 1:45:10) on the topic of the possum-killing Huntsman spider which has recently fuelled nightmares across Australia and beyond. “Are…
If you live in Australia, there’s one universal truth: you’ve got spiders in or around your house. The good news is that very few spiders are dangerous to humans, and having spiders around is a totally normal part of the great balancing act of the natural world. Many people enjoy…
Many children wake up on Easter morning to discover that a large, hopping visitor has left a number of tasty chocolate eggs hidden around the backyard. In the rush to uncover these bright foil-wrapped delicacies, there’s more than a few eggs that get left behind – and for good reason.…
Here we conclude our four part series on getting your first pet Australian tarantula. If you haven’t already, make sure you catch up the previous blogs in this series, breaking down permits and regulations, types of tarantulas and what to keep in mind when you’re ready to buy. If you’re up to…
It’s week three of our four part series on Australian tarantula basics, so if you’re just joining us make sure to check out our previous posts on permits and regulations, and types of tarantulas. If you’re up to speed on your local laws and you’ve got your heart set on a Featherleg…
Welcome back to our four part series on getting your first pet tarantula. Make sure you catch up on last week’s post on permits and regulations if you haven’t already, because this week we’re picking up where we left off and diving straight into the world of tarantula names and…
So you’re ready to take the plunge. Dogs? Been there, done that. Cats? Too mainstream. Octopi? Not enough exoskeleton. You’re ready to get your first tarantula. It’s time to pack your cat carrier and head on down to your local pet shop, and – Wait, definitely wait. In this short…
