The Red-Headed Mouse Spider is a large mygalomorph spider found almost everywhere in Australia, most common in NSW and Western Australia, apparently absent from the far north and Tasmania. It is found in most habitats, from open forests to desert shrublands. Males, with their bright red cephalothorax and blue-black abdomen, wander in search of females in Spring and Summer. The female is black to brown. They live in burrows with two trapdoors, up to 55cm deep. The Red-Headed Mouse Spider is the most widely distributed Missulena, being wind-dispersed as spiderlings, unusual for the Mygalomorphae. This spider was described in 1805, very early for Australia. The venom is highly toxic but no deaths have occured from bites. If a person is bitten immobilise the patent, apply compression bandages to limit spread of venom through the body and call an ambulance. Collect the spider if it is safe to do so. ♀ 24mm ♂ 10mm
- Male, Western Australia
- Female, Gosford NSW
- Female, Gosford NSW
- Male, Gosford NSW
- Male, Gosford NSW
- References
Male, Western Australia
Female, Gosford NSW
Female, Gosford NSW
Male, Gosford NSW
Male, Gosford NSW
