The mouse spider is so named because it actually resembles the small rodent. It is brown and hairy and moves fast, just like a mouse. It is very poisonous, but fortunately it does not live in homes. It belongs to the genus Missulena. Another species of spider, the Scotophaeus blackwalli, is also commonly called the mouse spider; however this species is harmless, belongs to a different family and order, and does not live in Australia or New Zealand.
Steps
Step 1. Learn what a mouse spider is like
Here are some key features.
-
Physical characteristics:
brown hair with an oily sheen, it is about 9 mm long with large teeth.
-
Poisonous:
Yup.
-
Lives:
mainly in Australia, but is also found in warm climates in Asia, Africa and America.
-
Food:
This spider waits for its prey to roam around its lair; it mainly eats insects, but sometimes also something larger, if the prey gets too close to the entrance to its den.
Method 1 of 3: Identify the Mouse Spider
There are three types of mouse spiders: red-headed, eastern and northern. Determine what type of mouse spider you are trying to identify. They all have common characteristics, but there are some hallmarks to recognize the three different types.
Step 1. Look at the legs to see if they are large and stocky, or rather thin
The male has long legs and when they move they look like a pair of human legs.
Step 2. Look for 2 protruding pins in the back of the abdomen
These spikes are similar to knobs and all mouse spiders have them.
Step 3. Look at the armor, it is brown / black and has a shiny appearance in all types of mouse spiders
Step 4. Look for a red head, red jaws and a blue abdomen
If you are experiencing these signs, you are looking at a "red headed" male.
Step 5. If you spot a whitish spot on the upper abdomen you are looking at an eastern or northern mouse spider
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing the Habitat
Mouse spiders dig burrows, which means they make their homes underground. The holes they dig protect them from predators. The female throws herself on the prey that approaches the burrow, and it can also be a human hand.
Step 1. Look for the entrance to the den, but know that it is very often difficult to see
The mouse spider weaves the web to close the entrance, and is usually camouflaged with foliage.
Step 2. Keep in mind that the mouse spider detects its prey from vibrations, so if you are near its lair, it can feel your vibration and attack you
Method 3 of 3: Treat a Bite
If you think you have been bitten by a mouse spider, do not wash the venom off your skin, let the medical staff remove it so it can be positively identified.
Step 1. Apply a bandage over the bite on the affected limb, as high as possible
The bandage should be tight, but not constricting. This way you stop the spread of the poison without blocking the blood circulation.
Step 2. Stay as still as possible so as not to spread the poison throughout the body
Step 3. Get medical help as soon as possible
Even if no severe symptoms occur, administration of an antivenom serum may be necessary.
Advice
- The mouse spider is preyed upon by wasps, small marsupials, millipedes and scorpions.
- It has hard teeth that pierce the skin. It doesn't always throw poison with its bite, but you still need to see your doctor if you get bitten.
- Females live a long time, as they rarely leave their burrows, while males live about 2 years.
Warnings
- Both male and female are dangerous, and both can bite you if you provoke them.
- Females are not aggressive, but they bite into anything that passes through their lair, and produce a large amount of highly toxic venom.
