‘Burke’s Backyard’ has a message for all ‘arachnophobes’ (those who fear spiders): steer clear of the Australian Museum at College Street in Sydney this summer. Those who love spiders however will enjoy a new display at the museum. Entitled ‘Spiders’, it features some of the largest spiders in the world.
The exhibition, which opens on 22 November, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about these creepy crawlies and features live tarantulas, imported especially from South America and Africa for the exhibition. It is the first time these overseas spiders have been seen in Australia.
‘Burke’s Backyard’ had a sneak preview of the giant spiders while they were waiting in quarantine.
More than 800 species of spiders make up the Tarantula family, Theraphosidae. These include the Mexican Red-leg, Asian Black Velvet, Chilean Flame, Starburst Baboon Spider and Goliath Bird-eater Tarantula. Tarantulas have eight legs and two short claws called pedipalps in front. They also have fangs to kill their prey and extensions at the end of their bodies called spinnerets which produce thread to spin their webs.
The following spiders will be found in the exhibition:
Golden Orb-weaving Spider (Nephila pilipes) – This spider is so named because of the golden wheel-web which it spins to snare its prey. The web is so strong it can catch birds mid-flight. These spiders are generally not dangerous to humans, but should not be handled unless you are well trained. It is only the female spiders that build the web, the males sit on the edge waiting for the prey to be caught.
There are thousands of spiders in Australia but only the Funnel-web and Redback spiders are known to have caused deaths. In fact, only 30 people have died in Australia because of spider bites. The last recorded death was in 1980 from a Funnel-web. There are now excellent antivenoms against spider bites in Australia.
The Australian Museum’s exhibition looks at spiders from Australia and the world, uncovering many of their unusual habits such as the defence tactics of the Australian tarantula, who whistles when attacked. Other features include:
an interactive spider lab that allows visitors to examine spiders under microscopes, to observe their feeding habits;
visitors are encouraged to bring in spiders for identification;
information on the role spiders play in the food chain and their contribution to modern society; and
the uses of both spider venom and silk for medicine and other technology.
Details: The ‘Spiders’ exhibition will be on show at the Australian Museum from 22 November 1997 to 3 May 1998. The exhibition will also tour to Scienceworks* in Melbourne, opening in June 1998 and running until October. (*Provisional dates only.)
Australian Museum, corner William and College Streets, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Phone: (02) 9320 6233.
Science Works, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood, Vic, 3015. Phone: (03) 9382 4800.
Admission (Australian Museum): Combined entry to the ‘Spiders’ exhibition and the Australian Museum is: adults – $10; children – $5; concession – $6; family of four – $20.
Phone: For more information contact the Australian Museum on (02) 9320 6233.