Red-headed mouse spider

Missulena occatoria

''Missulena occatoria'', known as the red-headed mouse spider, is found in Southern Australia, from open forest to desert shrubland. It is the largest and most widely distributed ''Missulena'' species, because the spiderlings are wind-dispersed. Normally this only occurs with araneomorph spiders, mygalomorph spiders normally disperse by walking.
Red Headed Mouse Spider 15Jun2020 After a couple of days of nice rains and heavy fog on the hills in the morning, met this guy as walking back down Horsnells Gully. Apologies for the quality - my S5Mini... Took a vid: https://youtu.be/5TmHDhGp1C0 Horsnells Gully,Missulena occatoria,Red Headed Mouse Spider,Red-headed mouse spider

Appearance

While the females are black with a red tinge, the males have a bright red head and jaws, and a gunmetal blue-black abdomen.
Red-headed Mouse Spider - Missulena occatoria This is the first time that I have seen this spider. They can grow up to 35 mm . The one I found is only about 15 mm and might grow bigger. I decided to keep it in a glass tank for a while to see if it will grow more, also to give me more opportunities to take more photos. Australia,Eamw spiders,Eamw trapdoor spidersFall,Encounter Bay SA,Geotagged,Missulena occatoria,Red-headed mouse spider

Behavior

The spiders dig a burrow up to 55 cm deep, with two trapdoors.
Red Headed Mouse Spider Walking in the Adelaide Hills today (6 May '20) when we came across this rather impressive spider. Fine day, broad day light! These males are not shy! They are a kind of trap door spider and as a kid I fished one out with a grass stem - I was surprised! Apologies for the photo quality, I had my mobile phone. Adelaide,Missulena occatoria,Red Headed Mouse Spider,Red-headed mouse spider,trap door,trap door spider

Defense

'Missulena'' venom may be very toxic, but few cases of serious envenomation have been recorded. Most recorded bites only caused minor effects, with Australian funnel-web spider antivenom having proved effective as a treatment.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilyActinopodidae
GenusMissulena
SpeciesM. occatoria
Photographed in
Australia