South Queensland tarantula

Fact Box Species: Selenocosmia stirlingi (QM) Family: Theraphosidae Body length: female: 45 mm male: 36 mm Habitat: In a very deep burrow in open bush and native grasslands; the burrow entrance is about 25 mm in diameter and is usually open with no evidence of a door, though it may have a collar or spider silk Toxicity: Appears to be capable of causing serious illness in humans, the male being prone to wander during wet weather in the mating season (normally autumn); fortunately, ths kind of spider is relatively slow moving and is not very aggressive to humans

Underside of spider The male? Nonpreserved specimen A related species

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.