# Spiders in Australia **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 15, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631 "2017-05-15T04:24:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/21 "2017-05-15T18:46:23Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > It is a longstanding “meme” to wildly exaggerate Australia’s dangerous animals. Do a google image search for “australian animals meme” and you will find many examples. I know for a fact that Australia is the only place in the world with venomous rocks. Cite: internet ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/22 "2017-05-15T19:56:26Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Australian kids are getting much better education now on spiders than in my day. My daughter was completely unphased by a large\* huntsman that used to live in her bedroom under a poster above her bed. > > And another thing, OP, if that is your real name - you said that your niece’s husband was in the Navy, and then you said he was in Alice Springs. For those who don’t know, the Alice is roughly smack in the middle of Australia. The nearest coast is more than 1500 km away!! The only nautical vessels are in the dry-as-dust Todd River. > > We may just slightly stretch the truth on just how big our spiders are but it sounds like you’re trying to have a massive lend of us. Just what gives here? > > - measured against a coffee mug - legs still sticking out on all sides. > [@Banksiaman](#): > > [plink] - sound of penny dropping. > > If the OP doesn’t give that reason, then we’ll know it true. > > (In case you aren’t familiar with the name, Pine Gap is a secret CIA satellite base - see [Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_Gap)) **Moderator Note** Let’s refrain from attacking posters on matters irrelevant to their OP in GQ. You could have enquired about this in a less hostile fashion. No warning issued, but let’s give posters the benefit of the doubt. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/23 "2017-05-15T20:56:30Z")
Thanks, Colibri…I saw no reason to disbelieve my niece or her husband. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/24 "2017-05-15T21:46:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > Let’s refrain from attacking posters on matters irrelevant to their OP in GQ. You could have enquired about this in a less hostile fashion. No warning issued, but let’s give posters the benefit of the doubt. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Graciously taken. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2017, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/25 "2017-05-15T22:12:34Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Thanks, Colibri…I saw no reason to disbelieve my niece or her husband. 🙂 A simple online search answers the question, so neither have I. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/26 "2017-05-16T02:27:16Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > It is a longstanding “meme” to wildly exaggerate Australia’s dangerous animals. Do a google image search for “australian animals meme” and you will find many examples. On the other hand, Salt Water Crocodiles eat /people/, and visitors don’t always realize this. Seriously folks. Don’t worry about the spiders: on the North Coast, don’t go swimming where the no-swimming signs are. ---
**Author:** ![Pilgrim\_Shadow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Pilgrim\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pilgrim_Shadow)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/27 "2017-05-16T02:54:58Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > Perhaps the Oils know: Mad props for quoting “Power and the Passion”! “Sunburnt faces around, with skin so brown Smiling zinc cream and crowds, Sundays the beach never a cloud Breathing eucalypt, pushing panel vans Stuff and munch junk food Laughing at the truth, cos Gough was tough til he hit the rough Uncle Sam and John were quite enough” I just wish my Midnight Oil records came with an Aussie glossary! It took me years to pick up all the references! BTW, that Goliath Birdeater lives only in the North of SOUTH America, thankfully! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/28 "2017-05-16T03:07:10Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > The largest ones are generally the friendliest. They’re just lulling you into a false sense of security so they can eat you. ---
**Author:** ![Polar\_Iceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Polar\_Iceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polar_Iceman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/29 "2017-05-16T06:52:47Z")
While some of the spiders can get pretty scary, the creature you really need to be aware of is the Drop Bear. This is a medium sized, vicious carnivorous bear like animal that lives in trees. It waits for its prey to pass under the tree, and then drops down onto it. Because of the size of the Drop Bear, the impact usually stuns the prey; the Bear completes the kill by ripping its victims throat out. The Bear then drags the corpse of the prey up into the tree where it consumes it at its leisure. You can usually tell when you are in Drop Bear territory from the accumulation of bones scattered around the base of the trees. When I was on exercise with the Australian forces several decades ago, we lost several Marines who inadvertently wandered into Drop Bear territory. As a consequence, whenever we went into the field we always had a pair of spotters with each unit. These spotters always carried a loaded 12 gauge pump, and always moved in pairs. Every year, several bush walkers fall victim while hiking in the Australian bush. While the missing are usually tourists, careless locals are also known to fall victim to the Drop Bear. So, while it is wise to take the warnings regarding the spiders seriously, be even more wary of the Drop Bear. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/30 "2017-05-16T09:31:13Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > Let’s refrain from attacking posters on matters irrelevant to their OP in GQ. You could have enquired about this in a less hostile fashion. No warning issued, but let’s give posters the benefit of the doubt. Really? Despite **Banksiaman** ’s apology I took his post as being facetious, particularly with the reference to the Todd River Regatta. I certainly wouldn’t have replied in a jocular fashion if I had thought he was being genuinely hostile. Still, with his apology I’m not sure whether it was just the Aussie sense of humour not translating well or not. ---
**Author:** ![Polar\_Iceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Polar\_Iceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polar_Iceman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/31 "2017-05-16T12:05:54Z")
Link to “Australian Geographic” article on the Drop Bear. > **[Drop bears target tourists, study says](https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2021/04/drop-bears-target-tourists-study-says/)** > > Drop bears are less likely to attack people with Australian accents, according to experts at the University of Tasmania. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/32 "2017-05-16T13:23:15Z")
> [@Polar\_Iceman](#): > > Link to “Australian Geographic” article on the Drop Bear. > > [Drop bears target tourists, study says - Australian Geographic](http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2013/04/drop-bears-target-tourists,-study-says/) Uh huh. The article’s date is right up there in the byline. Nice try. ---
**Author:** ![Polar\_Iceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Polar\_Iceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polar_Iceman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/33 "2017-05-17T02:50:08Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > Uh huh. The article’s date is right up there in the byline. Nice try. Damn! Didn’t notice that. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/34 "2017-05-17T03:01:11Z")
> [@Polar\_Iceman](#): > > While some of the spiders can get pretty scary, the creature you really need to be aware of is the Drop Bear. > This is a medium sized, vicious carnivorous bear like animal that lives in trees. It waits for its prey to pass under the tree, and then drops down onto it. Because of the size of the Drop Bear, the impact usually stuns the prey; the Bear completes the kill by ripping its victims throat out. > The Bear then drags the corpse of the prey up into the tree where it consumes it at its leisure. > You can usually tell when you are in Drop Bear territory from the accumulation of bones scattered around the base of the trees. > When I was on exercise with the Australian forces several decades ago, we lost several Marines who inadvertently wandered into Drop Bear territory. > As a consequence, whenever we went into the field we always had a pair of spotters with each unit. These spotters always carried a loaded 12 gauge pump, and always moved in pairs. > Every year, several bush walkers fall victim while hiking in the Australian bush. While the missing are usually tourists, careless locals are also known to fall victim to the Drop Bear. > So, while it is wise to take the warnings regarding the spiders seriously, be even more wary of the Drop Bear. This is absolute nonsense. You aren’t fooling me for a minute. Anybody who claims to know anything about drop bears is telling fairy tales: nobody has ever observed a drop bear and survived. Nobody has ever investigated or studied drop bears and survived. The detail you purport to give can only be a fabrication. ---
**Author:** ![Polar\_Iceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Polar\_Iceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polar_Iceman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/35 "2017-05-17T06:32:31Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > This is absolute nonsense. You aren’t fooling me for a minute. Anybody who claims to know anything about drop bears is telling fairy tales: nobody has ever observed a drop bear and survived. Nobody has ever investigated or studied drop bears and survived. The detail you purport to give can only be a fabrication. Of course! That should tell you how dangerous Drop Bears are. No-one has survived a Drop Bear attack. Similarly, numerous people have embarked on field investigations of Drop Bears, and have never been seen again. In light of this, I can only repeat what has already been stated by numerous people previously: “Enter the Australian bushland at your peril.” ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/36 "2017-05-17T08:14:42Z")
It’s an indisputable fact that no human being in the history of the world has ever been attacked by a drop bear and lived to tell about it. But the common hoop snake can survive drop bear attacks all day long. They just roll out of the way very quickly and cause the drop bear to hit the hard forest floor. Then the hoop snake circles back around and and eats the stunned Drop Bear. Circle of life and all that. Unicorns have a natural defense against drop bears so terrible to contemplate that the drop bears teach their young never to attack them under any circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![Polar\_Iceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Polar\_Iceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polar_Iceman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/37 "2017-05-17T11:47:22Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > It’s an indisputable fact that no human being in the history of the world has ever been attacked by a drop bear and lived to tell about it. > > But the common hoop snake can survive drop bear attacks all day long. They just roll out of the way very quickly and cause the drop bear to hit the hard forest floor. Then the hoop snake circles back around and and eats the stunned Drop Bear. Circle of life and all that. > > Unicorns have a natural defense against drop bears so terrible to contemplate that the drop bears teach their young never to attack them under any circumstances. All true! Remember also that the Hoop Snake will wait in ambush for tourists; when they drive by, the Hoop Snake will roll out, and wrap itself around the suspension of the car and cause a crash. If this occurs in Drop Bear territory, the Bear will take advantage and drag off the injured victims. However, the truly horrifying aspect of these hazards is the vast conspiracy of false facts and disinformation that are continuously put forth by both the deep government, the vast right wing conspiracy, the basket of deplorables and the tourist industry. Anytime a whistleblower attempts to bring the entire horrifying story to the attention of the world, there is an immediate backlash of ridicule, dissembling, false facts and derision. All of this is aimed at discrediting the heroic efforts of exposing the truth. Follow the money: there are huge dollars involved in hiding the truth. As a case in point, I draw your attention to the preliminary response of these conspirators in some of the posts above.The rapidity of their response, and their attempts at ridicule and denial, should tell you how well organised and funded these conspirators are. So, you have been warned!The spiders are the least of the horrible hazards awaiting you in Australia. I won’t even mention the sharks, the crocodiles, the blue bottles, the snakes, the ticks, and the women. Oh God! The women…! ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/38 "2017-05-17T13:55:37Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > It’s an indisputable fact that no human being in the history of the world has ever been attacked by a drop bear and lived to tell about it. > > But the common hoop snake can survive drop bear attacks all day long. They just roll out of the way very quickly and cause the drop bear to hit the hard forest floor. Then the hoop snake circles back around and and eats the stunned Drop Bear. Circle of life and all that. What a load of rubbish! I’ve seen a drop bear hula a hoop snake while holding another drop bear’s beer so it could punch the snake on the nose each time it came around. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/39 "2017-05-17T14:55:12Z")
> [@Polar\_Iceman](#): > > […] > > So, you have been warned!The spiders are the least of the horrible hazards awaiting you in Australia. I won’t even mention the sharks, the crocodiles, the blue bottles, the snakes, the ticks, and the women. Oh God! The women…! A quote from a friend, whose family I have mentioned from time to time on the SDMB; she was, and is, a real knockout, in more ways than one: “Don’t discount women friends.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631/40 "2017-05-17T16:46:17Z")
The funnel web spiders are the dangerous ones. wiki: _Australian funnel-webs are one of the most dangerous groups of spiders in the world and are regarded by some to be the most deadly, both in terms of clinical cases and venom toxicity_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiders-in-australia/786631.md?page=3)