The Redback Spider Habitat: Where You Can Find Them, Where to Avoid, And What To Do
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The redback is an outdoor dwelling spider which can be found all over Australia. They are so prominent across our country that they’re basically an Australian icon.
While notorious, the redback is far from the only spider found in Australia. So when it comes to identifying which spiders are safe and which ones should be left alone, knowing where you can find redback spider habitats is a crucial piece of information to have if you get bitten. Not all spiders bite and different spider bites require different treatment.
So be certain that it’s a redback by learning how to spot one, and knowing whether or not you live in an area where they’re likely to be found.
Introducing The Redback Spider
The redback spider is native to Australia. Its venom is potent and can cause severe symptoms including intense pain, sweating, nausea, and muscle weakness. While it may be one of the deadliest spiders in the world, the good news is they’re not aggressive and aren’t likely to bite you unless you provoke them first.
The adult female redback is easily recognisable by its distinctive black body with a prominent red stripe on top of its abdomen and an hourglass-shaped red mark on its belly. However, some may appear entirely jet black. Females have a typical body length of around 10 mm, while the smaller males only reach about 3-4 mm in length.
Unlike other spiders which construct beautiful web patterns, redbacks construct untidy, messy webs in the rough shape of a funnel or cone.
What Makes Redback Spiders So Noteworthy?
Redback spiders are infamous for their potentially deadly venom. A bite from one can inject a venom which can cause severe pain lasting hours or days, along with nausea, malaise, and lethargy. While no deaths have been recorded since the introduction of an antivenom in the 1950s, around 250 people per year in Australia require antivenom for redback spider bites. The good news is that the redback is not aggressive towards humans unless provoked.
They are are also infamous because redback spider habitats can be found almost anywhere in Australia. While they do prefer certain habitats, its distribution across Australia correlates strongly with populated areas. A lack of major predators in human environments allows redback populations to proliferate unchecked, increasing their population.
Where You Can Find A Redback Spider Habitat
The redback is an incredibly adaptable spider that thrives in both natural bush environments and human-dominated urban areas.
However, even when outside, they prefer to stay near humans. The redback prefers to construct its web in dark, dry areas, such as under logs and rocks, under houses, in sheds, or around the garden, anywhere that the smaller insects and pests they feed on might be found.
This means redback spider habitats can literally be found all over Australia. In every major city or small town, or under any small plant in the bush, no matter how isolated. Even in places with the colder and wetter climates that the redback finds less appealing, such as Tasmania, while you’re less likely to encounter a redback it’s far from impossible.
Are Redback Spider Habitats Only Found in Australia?
While redback spiders are native to Australia, they have been accidentally introduced to other parts of the world. Though this is an extremely rare occurance, established redback spider habitats have been confirmed in New Zealand, Japan, Belgium, and the United Stated, among other locations.
Redback Spider Bites
Redback spider habitats may be common, but bites are rare. The spider itself is not naturally aggressive towards humans, and will only bite under extreme and particular conditions. That said, a redback spider bite can have serious consequences and should be treated with caution and care.
Why They Bite
How to Avoid A Bite
Redback spiders only bite people when they’re harassed, so the best way to avoid a bite is to leave them alone. Take care in small dark, dry spaces, especially those outside, and don’t stick your hands in dark places where you can’t see what might be lurking within.
Redback Bite Symptoms
Treating a Redback Spider Bite
Only female redbacks have a bite strong enough to break the skin. Nonetheless, redback antivenom should be sought immediately after a bite.
First aid for a redback spider bite consists simply of washing the area with soap and warm water, applying a cold pack. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, and other analgesics may be taken to manage pain. These items should be a part of any home first aid kit.
As with any other first aid emergency, calling an ambulance and seeking professional medical attention should be your first course of action if symptoms worsen or persist. This is especially true if the bite victim is very young, very old, immunocompromised, or pregnant. Going to the hospital is the only way to get redback spider antivenom.
Learn Effective First Aid Skills
While redback spider bites are uncommon, it’s still important not to get caught out. Given redback spider habitats are so widespread, every Australian should know how to respond properly if one does occur. First aid training can give you the confidence to manage spider bites and other medical emergencies until professional help arrives.
Skills Training College is a registered training organisation offering the best first aid training courses you’ll find in Australia. Our HLTAID011 Provide First Aid courses equip students with comprehensive knowledge and hands-on skills to provide effective first aid response in virtually any emergency situation, including for venomous spider bites.
Don’t let a redback spider bite catch you unprepared. Gain the skills to protect yourself, your family, and others by signing up for a first aid course today. Be proactive, get first aid certified, and have the confidence to handle any medical emergency. Enrol now and be prepared for the unexpected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadliest spider in Australia?
The deadliest spider in Australia is the Sydney funnel-web spider. Known for its highly toxic venom, it can be aggressive when threatened. When bitten, one in six individuals experience severe reactions such as organ failure. Fortunately, since the introduction of antivenom in 1981, there have been no recorded fatalities from Sydney funnel-web bites.
Where can I get redback spider antivenom?
In Australia, redback spider antivenom is only available from hospitals and major medical centres. If you have been bitten by a redback spider, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention rather than attempting to obtain or administer antivenom yourself.
What is the most venomous animal in Australia?
The most venomous animal in Australia is the box jellyfish. It is renowned for its extremely potent venom, which can cause severe pain, cardiac arrest, and even death. It is found primarily along the northern coast of Australia, particularly in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
