Redback Spiders

Female redback spiders are 3rd most venomous spiders in the world. Luckily their claws are small and they are only able to inject very little of their highly toxic venom.

For this reason a redback sting, although very painful and potentially dangerous (neurotoxic), is rarely fatal today, especially if the antivenom is used.

Female redback spiders are quite large. Mature female's body is nearly 10mm across and her legs span nearly 5 cm (2 inches).

We do not have many redbacks here at Mt Best. It took us 5 years to find nests depicted here.

Redback spiders have quite good eyesight thanks to large eyes, as seen on this photo. This female tries to protect her nest from an intruder with a camera.

Female redback spider in the nest showing off her red back. The nest contains a few hundred eggs and is about 12 mm (1/2") in diameter.

Female redback spider smiling to the camera, ready to protect her nest. Underneath the back the red comes in stripes.