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Category Archives: Spiders

The Semi-social Pygmy Tarantula (Coremiocnemis sp.)

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…

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Minibeast News, Pet minibeasts, Spiders, Tarantulas

Metallic Asian spider found living in the Northern Territory’s Fogg Dam

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…

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Minibeast News, Spiders

Help, I’m crawling out of my skin! Why insects and other invertebrates moult

A freshly moulted young scorpion next to the shed skin. Photo: Alan Henderson, Minibeast Wildlife

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 –…

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Insects, Minibeast behaviour, Minibeast News, Spiders

Meet the Huntsman spider that took down a possum

This epic battle is on a smaller scale than it might appear. (Photo supplied by Justine Latton)

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…

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Minibeast News, Spiders

Are you sharing your house with these common Jumping spiders?

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…

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Minibeast News, Spidentify, Spiders

Backyard egg hunt – minibeast edition!

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.…

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Insects, Minibeast behaviour, Minibeast News, Spiders

A guide to buying your first (Australian) tarantula – Part Four: Keeping your tarantula healthy

Because enclosures are a confined space, it's important not to leave live insects inside where they can disturb and injure the spider.

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…

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Minibeast News, Pet minibeasts, Spiders, Tarantulas

A guide to buying your first (Australian) tarantula – Part Three: Where to buy and what to watch out for

It's gourmet meals only for these cuties, who will be ready after a few moults for their new homes.

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…

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Minibeast News, Pet minibeasts, Spiders, Tarantulas

A guide to buying your first (Australian) tarantula – Part Two: Types of tarantulas

Phlogius sp. - Kuranda - Alan Henderson, Minibeast Wildlife

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…

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Minibeast News, Pet minibeasts, Spiders, Tarantulas

A guide to buying your first (Australian) tarantula – Part One: Do you need a permit?

They won't go on walks to the park, but tarantulas are easy to care for and make great pets.

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…

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Minibeast News, Pet minibeasts, Spiders, Tarantulas
Copyright © 2020 Minibeast Wildlife - All images © Alan Henderson
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