Barking spider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barking spider |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification |
The barking spider (Selenocosmia stirlingi) is a type of tarantula found in Australia's dry areas. It's also called a whistling spider. This is because it can make a loud hissing sound when it feels scared or threatened. Like many tarantulas, it does this by rubbing parts of its body together, a process called stridulation. These spiders mostly live deep underground in burrows. Male spiders are sometimes seen above ground during the mating season.
Contents
What's in a Name?
This spider was first described by a scientist named Henry R Hogg in 1901. Even before that, in 1894, people noticed that this spider could make a sound. This is probably how it got its common name, the "barking spider." Selenocosmia stirlingi belongs to a group of spiders called Selenocosmiinae. This group is found all over Australia and Southeast Asia.
Where Barking Spiders Live
Barking spiders live in the Australian desert. They are ambush predators, which means they wait for their food to come to them. They make their homes in burrows dug deep in the ground, often hidden among leaf litter.
What Barking Spiders Eat
These spiders are patient hunters. They wait inside their burrows for small animals to pass by. When an insect, lizard, or frog comes close to the entrance, the spider quickly grabs it. It then injects its venom. Luckily, their venom is not considered dangerous to humans.
Who Eats Barking Spiders?
Even though they are good hunters, barking spiders are small animals. They have many predators in the desert. Some animals that might eat a barking spider include:
- Owls
- Dingoes (wild dogs)
- Feral cats
How Barking Spiders Survive
Barking spiders have special features that help them live in the harsh desert.
- Breathing: They have a special lung that works like gills. This lung needs humidity to work well.
- Digging: They have strong claws. These claws help them dig deep burrows. The burrows keep them cool underground.
- Climbing: Their feet are bushy. They also produce a special oil. This oil helps their feet act like suction cups. This allows them to climb steep rocks easily.
Barking Spiders as Pets
Sometimes, barking spiders and other Australian tarantulas are collected and sold as pets. However, taking too many spiders from the wild can harm their populations. It's important that any collecting is done legally and carefully to protect these amazing creatures.
