How do I find out what kind of spider I found?
Look at the size of the legs in proportion to the body. Some spiders have long, thin legs (like the yellow sac), while others have stocky, thick legs (like the wolf spider). Some spiders (such as the lynx spider) have tiny hairs on their legs, while others have spikes (such as the funnel spider) or fur.
What is the most common spider in NZ?
New Zealand’s most popular spiders
- Black tunnelweb spider (Porrhothele antipodiana)
- Slater spider (Dysdera crocata)
- Sheetweb spiders (Cambridgea spp.)
- Nurseryweb spiders and water spiders (Dolomedes spp.)
- Jumping spiders (Family Salticidae)
- Avondale spider (Delena cancerides)
- Vagrant spiders (Uliodon spp.)
Are there any poisonous spider in NZ?
The katipō (Latrodectus katipo) and the redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) are the only venomous spiders found in New Zealand. Only the adult females are capable of biting humans. Bites from both species are extremely rare, and there is a safe and effective anti-venom available.
Are there any big spiders in New Zealand?
The largest spider you can find in New Zealand is the Nelson cave spider. These spiders can grow to have a leg span of over five inches, and a body of over three inches! The Nelson cave spider may be large, but it is not poisonous and rarely bites.
Does NZ have huntsman spiders?
The social huntsman is very unusual amongst spiders: it hunts socially and shares its food with others. The species is found all over Australia, including Tasmania, and was introduced to New Zealand in 1924.
Do we have wolf spiders in NZ?
Species. Spider species in New Zealand include: Anoteropsis (wolf spiders) Delena cancerides (Avondale spider)
How big is a katipo?
The katipō is a small to medium-sized spider. The mature female has a body size of about 8 millimetres (0.31 in) with a leg span of up to 32 millimetres (1.3 in).
What does a whitetail spider bite look like?
Symptoms of a white-tail spider bite Irritation or a red mark on the skin (including visible puncture marks); Pain or discomfort that is generally mild-to-moderate in severity; Swelling; and. Itchiness (either immediately or several days later).
What kind of spiders are in New Zealand?
Andrew Crowe’s guide to New Zealand spiders is easy to use and will help readers identify more than 50 kinds of native and introduced spiders – from the tiny Dew Drop Spider to the enormous Avondale Spider and from the harmless Aussie Jumper to the poisonous Katipo.
Who is the Spider expert in New Zealand?
Seeking to allay your concerns, we got spider expert Cor Vink to provide the downlow on New Zealand’s spider situation. Vink is the curator of natural history at Canterbury Museum, and it is his job to identify and name spider species in New Zealand. Hermie the Huntsman Spider takes on a small mouse – and apparently wins.
Are there any huntsman spiders in New Zealand?
Hermie the Huntsman Spider takes on a small mouse – and apparently wins. While Australia has “over a couple of hundred” species of huntsman, he said, they don’t occur naturally in New Zealand. But some Aussie immigrants have made it across the Tasman.
Where did the redback spider come from in New Zealand?
Redback spiders are originally from Australia. They have been established in limited areas in New Zealand since the early 1980s and continue to arrive in cargo such as motor vehicles, machinery, fruit and containers, usually those imported from Australia.