Identify a Mouse Spider

A Mouse spider is so named because it actually resembles the small rodent. It is brown and furry and moves fast, just like a mouse. They are highly venomous, but fortunately they don’t live indoors. They belong to the genus Missulena. Another species of spider, Scotophaeus blackwalli (pictured at right), is also commonly referred to as the mouse spider, however this species is harmless, belongs to a different family and even infraorder, and does not live in Australia or New Zealand.

Steps

  1. Know what a mouse spider is. Here are some key characteristics.
    • Physical features: Brown fur with a greasy sheen, about 3/8” (9mm) long with large fangs
    • Venomous: Yes
    • Lives in: primarily Australia, but also found in warm climates in Asia, Africa and America
    • Eats: This spider waits for its prey to wander near the trapdoor of its burrow; a mouse spider primarily eats insects, but will occasionally eat something larger if the prey gets too close to the trapdoor.

Identifying a Mouse Spider

There are 3 types of Mouse spiders: the red-headed, the eastern and the northern. Determine which type of Mouse spider you are trying to identify. All Mouse spiders have common features, but there are some distinguishing characteristics to look for among the 3 types.

  1. Observe the legs to see if they are large and stocky, rather than spindly. The male Mouse spider has long legs and palps that look like an extra pair of legs.
  2. Look for 2 spinners protruding from the rear of its abdomen. These spinners are knob-like and all Mouse spiders have them.
  3. Take note of the carapace; it is brown/black and has a shiny appearance on Mouse spiders.
  4. Look for a red head, red jaws and a abdomen is blue. If you spot these, you’re looking at a male red-headed Mouse Spider.
  5. Spot a whitish patch on the top of its abdomen and you’re looking at an Eastern or northern Mouse spider.

Recognizing Mouse Spider Habitats

Mouse spiders are trapdoor spiders, which mean they create their homes in burrows. The trapdoors they make help protect them from predators. The female lunges after prey that goes near the trapdoor—including a human hand.

  1. Look for a trapdoor, but be aware the trapdoor is very often hard to see. The Mouse spider spins silk to make a hinge for the trapdoor and it is usually camouflaged with foliage.
  2. Keep in mind that the Mouse spider detects its prey through vibration, so if you are near the trapdoor, the spider may feel your vibration and lunge at you.

Treating a Bite

If you think you have been bitten by a Mouse spider, don’t wash the venom off your skin; let medical personnel remove it so that it can be positively identified.

  1. Apply a bandage over the bite as high up the affected limb as possible. The bandage should be tight but not constricting. This will stop the spreading of the venom without cutting off your blood circulation.
  2. Keep as still as possible, which will also help stop the venom from spreading throughout your body.
  3. Seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Even if serious symptoms don’t manifest, you can be given a funnel-web spider antivenom.

Tips

  • Mouse spiders are preyed on by wasps, bandicoots, centipedes and scorpions.
  • The Mouse spider has hard fangs that will puncture your skin. They don’t always release venom with their bite, but you should seek medical attention if you are bitten.
  • Females are long-lived because they rarely leave their burrows and males live for about 2 years.

Warnings

  • Both male and female Mouse spiders are dangerous and both will bite you if you provoke them.
  • Female Mouse spiders are not aggressive, but they will lunge at anything that passes by their trapdoor, and they do produce a large amount of highly toxic venom.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

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