Large spiders always get attention, and this was the case with a large trapdoor spider found at Miners Rest, Ballarat.
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Discovered in an open part of a back lawn at night, its large size and glossy black features immediately aroused attention. Then the huge fangs were seen.
Placed carefully in a jar, it was kept for identification and observation. Was it a funnel-web spider?
Careful comparison of its appearance with photographs and sketches in a useful book on common Victorian spiders eventually led to the conclusion that it was a central Victorian trapdoor spider.
A large stout spider about 35mm in body length, its front-to-back legspan was about 60mm.
The abdomen was dark, but not glossy black, and was very hairy.
The photo above was taken from the top of a jar.
The remains of a blowfly and a European wasp can be seen with the spider.
This spider was probably a female, and it no doubt had a burrow in the lawn, in a spot where the grass was sparser.
Although classed as a trapdoor spider, this one does not make a lid or door for its vertical hole.
Like many spiders, it feeds at night. Its oversized fangs can inflict a deep, painful wound, but the venom is not known to cause serious medical problems.
There is a similar large spider known as the central Victorian funnel web, which differs in several minor aspects from the trap door spider.
Although it was found on the back lawn of the property, the pictured spider was released a couple of days later in a different spot – well away from the house and its garden.
It was not aggressive at capture or release.
Central Victorian trapdoor spiders are reported to live for five years or more, with some known to reach 20 years.
The discovery of this spider, on a mild night, demonstrates the need to wear footwear in the evening, even on your own lawn.
Snakes, too, can be active on warm nights.