Saturday, April 28, 2018 12:51:28 AM
World's oldest spider dies ages 43
"His name is Colossus. He can kill you in 15 minutes. He’s also greater Sydney’s most infamous resident"
2:16pm Apr 28, 2018
The videos are not spider related
Australia has a notorious reputation as home to some of the world's deadliest creatures and until recently also harboured the oldest known living spider in the world.
The trapdoor matriarch died at the ripe old age of 43 during a long-term population study in Western Australia's Central Wheatbelt and far outlived her previous rival, a 28-year-old Mexican tarantula.
Curtin University's Leanda Mason said the arachnid's significant life had allowed scientists to further investigate the behaviour and population dynamics of trapdoor spiders.
The oldest known living spider has died aged 43.
The research project was started by renowned University of WA biologist and spider specialist Barbara York Main in 1974.
"Through Barbara's detailed research, we were able to determine that the extensive life span of the trapdoor spider is due to their
life-history traits, including how they live in uncleared, native bushland, their sedentary nature and low metabolisms," Ms Mason said.
© AAP 2018
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/04/28/14/05/world-s-oldest-spider-in-western-australia
One minute silence, please.
-
Trapdoor Spiders
A common resident of the garden, trapdoor spiders are often encountered whilst moving rocks or digging soil.
At night, shining a torch across the lawn may pick up two rows of tiny shining eyes staring up from inside a hole. These burrows can be as long as 40 cm and are lined with soft silky web.
There are many different species of trapdoor spider. Some don't actually make a hinged door, but all have one thing in common: they dig a burrow in which to lurk awaiting their next victim.
With the door open just a crack, they wait for an unsuspecting cricket or beetle to wander past. The spider leaps out at great speed, seizes its prey and hauls it back into the burrow to be devoured, all in a fraction of a second.
The female trapdoor can grow up to 3 cm long and live for as long as 20 years. She spends her entire life inside the burrow.
Males have a much shorter life. After 2 or 3 years they leave the burrow in late autumn or early winter to roam around in search of a mate. Trapdoors live between 5 to 20 years, and take several years to reach maturity.
Trapdoors are shy and usually flee from any threat (although males may rear up if startled). Trapdoors have large fangs which may cause a painful bite with some pain and swelling. However, their bite is not dangerous. But it's a good idea to always give spiders a bit of space if you can.
Did you know?
Trapdoors play an important role in controlling numbers of beetles, cockroaches, crickets, slaters and other spiders.
Tip
Trapdoor spiders look quite similar to the far more dangerous Funnel-web Spider. Both are large, dark and rather stubby with a hairy coat. If in any doubt, exercise extreme caution.
http://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/backyard-buddies/trapdoor-spiders
"His name is Colossus. He can kill you in 15 minutes. He’s also greater Sydney’s most infamous resident"
2:16pm Apr 28, 2018
The videos are not spider related
Australia has a notorious reputation as home to some of the world's deadliest creatures and until recently also harboured the oldest known living spider in the world.
The trapdoor matriarch died at the ripe old age of 43 during a long-term population study in Western Australia's Central Wheatbelt and far outlived her previous rival, a 28-year-old Mexican tarantula.
Curtin University's Leanda Mason said the arachnid's significant life had allowed scientists to further investigate the behaviour and population dynamics of trapdoor spiders.
The oldest known living spider has died aged 43.
The research project was started by renowned University of WA biologist and spider specialist Barbara York Main in 1974.
"Through Barbara's detailed research, we were able to determine that the extensive life span of the trapdoor spider is due to their
life-history traits, including how they live in uncleared, native bushland, their sedentary nature and low metabolisms," Ms Mason said.
© AAP 2018
https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/04/28/14/05/world-s-oldest-spider-in-western-australia
One minute silence, please.
-
Trapdoor Spiders
A common resident of the garden, trapdoor spiders are often encountered whilst moving rocks or digging soil.
At night, shining a torch across the lawn may pick up two rows of tiny shining eyes staring up from inside a hole. These burrows can be as long as 40 cm and are lined with soft silky web.
There are many different species of trapdoor spider. Some don't actually make a hinged door, but all have one thing in common: they dig a burrow in which to lurk awaiting their next victim.
With the door open just a crack, they wait for an unsuspecting cricket or beetle to wander past. The spider leaps out at great speed, seizes its prey and hauls it back into the burrow to be devoured, all in a fraction of a second.
The female trapdoor can grow up to 3 cm long and live for as long as 20 years. She spends her entire life inside the burrow.
Males have a much shorter life. After 2 or 3 years they leave the burrow in late autumn or early winter to roam around in search of a mate. Trapdoors live between 5 to 20 years, and take several years to reach maturity.
Trapdoors are shy and usually flee from any threat (although males may rear up if startled). Trapdoors have large fangs which may cause a painful bite with some pain and swelling. However, their bite is not dangerous. But it's a good idea to always give spiders a bit of space if you can.
Did you know?
Trapdoors play an important role in controlling numbers of beetles, cockroaches, crickets, slaters and other spiders.
Tip
Trapdoor spiders look quite similar to the far more dangerous Funnel-web Spider. Both are large, dark and rather stubby with a hairy coat. If in any doubt, exercise extreme caution.
http://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/backyard-buddies/trapdoor-spiders
It was Plato who said, “He, O men, is the wisest, who like Socrates, knows that his wisdom is in truth worth nothing”
Join the InvestorsHub Community
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
