Spiders in Sydney

Like the rest of Australia, Sydney is home to quite the collection of creepy crawlies. From the giant Sydney huntsman to the deadly and venomous Sydney funnel-web and redback spiders, the largest city on the continent is quite accommodating to a wide range of arachnids. While several are deadly and capable of delivering powerful bites, most of these spiders live in the outback. However, they have been spotted in civilized parts as well.

Spiders in Sydney Identification Chart

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Common Spiders in Sydney

Biggest Spider in Sydney

Most Dangerous Spiders in Sydney

Most Venomous Spiders

Less Venomous Spiders

Common Spiders in Sydney

Black House Spider

Brown House Spider

Biggest Spider in Sydney

Sydney Huntsman Spider

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Most Dangerous Spiders in Sydney

Sydney Funnel-web Spider	Redback Spider	Whitetailed Spider
Eastern Mouse Spider	—	—

Most Venomous Spiders

Comb-Footed Spiders

Redback Spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) - The Redback spider, often called the Australian black widow, comes from places in Australia. Nowadays, you can find it all over Australia and even in New Zealand.… Continue Reading >

Australian Funnel-web Spiders

Sydney Funnel-Web (Atrax robustus) - The Sydney funnel-web spider calls the eastern parts of Australia home. While they might look medium or large in size, it's their venom that's worth noting.… Continue Reading >

White‐Tailed Spiders

White-tailed (Lampona cylindrata & Lampona murina) - Discover the intriguing world of the white-tailed spider, known scientifically as Lampona murina and Lampona cylindrata. Both these spiders hail from the Lampona genus, which means ‘to shine’.… Continue Reading >

Mouse Spiders

Eastern Mouse Spider (Missulena bradleyi)

Orb-Weavers

Garden Orb Weaver Spider (Eriophora pustulosa) - The Garden Orb Weaver Spider is a fascinating creature found mainly in Australasia. These spiders belong to the orb weaver family, and they have some cool traits.… Continue Reading >

Huntsman Spiders

Sydney Huntsman Spider (Holconia immanis)

House Spiders

Black House (Badumna insignis) - The Black House Spider, sometimes called the common black spider, calls Australia home. But, you can also spot them in Japan and New Zealand. They have a dark, strong look but are quite shy.… Continue Reading >

Spiny Trapdoor Spiders

Sydney Brown Trapdoor Spider (Misgolas rapax)

Less Venomous Spiders

Cellar Spiders

Long Bodied Cellar (Pholcus phalangioides) - The long-bodied cellar spiders are quite interesting! Often seen in America's dark and damp spots, they have really long legs. This is why some folks call them daddy-long-legs.… Continue Reading >

House Spiders

Grey House (Badumna longinqua) - The Grey house spider is a fascinating creature from the Desidae family, originally from eastern Australia. But guess what? These spiders have traveled far and wide!… Continue Reading >

Orb-Weaver Spiders

St. Andrews Cross (Argiope keyserlingi) - Did you know there's a spider named after a cross pattern? It's called the St. Andrews Cross spider. This spider lives in Australia and makes a web that looks like a special cross.… Continue Reading >

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most dangerous spider found in Sydney?

The Sydney funnel-web spider is considered the most dangerous spider in Sydney. Its venom is highly toxic to humans and can be fatal if left untreated. This ground-dwelling species is known for its large fangs and aggressive defensive behavior when it feels threatened in its burrow or surroundings.

Are Sydney huntsman spiders venomous to humans?

Sydney huntsman spiders are venomous, but their venom is not considered dangerous to humans. A bite from a huntsman is rare and typically only occurs when the spider is provoked. The bite may cause minor, localized pain and swelling, but it does not have medically significant effects on people.

How can you identify a redback spider in Sydney?

You can identify a female redback spider by its shiny, black, pea-shaped body with a distinct red or orange hourglass-shaped marking on the abdomen’s underside. They often build messy, tangled webs in dry, sheltered places like sheds, mailboxes, or under outdoor furniture. Males are much smaller and less conspicuous.

Where are Sydney funnel-web spiders commonly found?

Sydney funnel-web spiders are commonly found in moist, sheltered habitats within suburban gardens and surrounding bushland. They build silk-lined burrows under rocks, logs, and in leaf litter. After heavy rain, males may wander into homes, garages, or swimming pools while searching for a mate.

What is the biggest spider in Sydney by leg span?

The biggest spider in Sydney by leg span is the Sydney huntsman spider (Holconia immanis). While its large size and fast movements can be alarming, it is relatively harmless to humans. This species is often found on walls inside homes, where it hunts insects and other invertebrates.

Are whitetailed spider bites in Sydney known to cause flesh-eating ulcers?

No, whitetailed spider bites are not known to cause flesh-eating ulcers. Scientific studies have found no evidence linking their venom to necrotic arachnidism. A bite may cause temporary localized pain, itching, and redness, but serious or long-term complications are not supported by clinical data.

What should you do if you find an Eastern Mouse Spider in your garden?

If you find an Eastern Mouse Spider, you should exercise caution and avoid handling it. Although they are typically reclusive and less aggressive than funnel-webs, their venom is similarly potent and should be considered medically significant. It is best to observe from a distance and call a pest professional.

Spiders in Sydney

Common Spiders in Sydney

Biggest Spider in Sydney

Most Dangerous Spiders in Sydney