Mouse spider

Fact Box Species: Missulena dipsaca (QM) Family: Actinopodidae Body length: female: approximately 9 mm male: 4 mm Habitat: In open bush settings in a burrow with its entrance closed by a well camouflaged door Toxicity: Unknown; the male is more aggressive than the female and its venom may cause serious illness in humans

This species is found much less often than other mouse spider species but is presumed to have similar behavioural patterns. The female of this species is a glossy black colour with a shortened cephalothorax, very wide spread eyes, and large chelicerae and fangs. The male is more often noticed although it is entirely black and relatively small for a ground-dwelling mygalomorph spider. Mouse spiders dig deep burrows with a door and excellent camouflage that they are rarely discovered except when the males appear after rain in Autumn or a female is accidentally excavated.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Missulena occatoria and Missulena bradleyi.