Daintree Rainforest is one of the world’s oldest
surviving rainforests. It is home to many different plant species that survived
thousands of years. However, beyond the thick outgrown of trees lies an almost
invisible world – the world ruled by forest spiders.
Most visitors worry about the spiders that crawl
the Daintree Rainforest. Some may he fear being bitten and poisoned by these
insects while enjoying their vacation. However, there is no real danger to be
worried about as the two poisonous spider species of Australia (Funnel-web and
Redback spiders) do not live in the Daintree.
What can be found within this enchanting
rainforest are their friendlier and more interesting cousins. These spiders
play vital roles to the forest ecosystem and contribute to the beauty of the
region.
Here is a guide to some of the spiders you will
meet in the Daintree.
 |
| Wolf Spider |
1.
The Wolf Spider
Like its namesake, the Wolf spider
is an open-range hunter that swiftly stalks insects from tree to tree. Their
eyesight is strong and they can see in three directions at the same time. The
most common spider in the Daintree, the Wolf spider can easily be found by
directing your flashlight on any part of the canopy. You will quickly notice
all of its eight eyes shine with the reflection.
2.
Jewel Spider
Have you ever seen a spider that
looks like a little ornament hanging from its web? The Jewel spider can be seen
with different shades of white, yellow, orange and black patterns. Its
colourful abdomen has six distinctive spines that makes it looks like a little
Christmas ornament hanging from a tree. Because of this, most visitors began
calling it the Christmas Spider.
 |
| St. Andrew's Cross |
3.
St. Andrew’s Cross Spider
X marks the spot. This spider can be
seen as a floating cross mark in the middle of bushwalk trails. St. Andrew’s
Cross Spider got its name from the bright decorations that look like zig-zag
ribbons of bluish-white silk forming a partial cross in the middle of its web.
These decorations are used by the spider to attract insects who are drawn in by
the reflection it creates from sunlight.
4. Golden Orb Spider
The largest among the master
weavers, are the Golden Orb Spiders, which can weave golden coloured webs that
can reach up to one meter in diameter. The web is so large that it is strong
enough to break the momentum of tiny birds and bats. Female golden orbs can
grow as huge as a spread hand.
 |
| Golden Orb |
5.
Two-spined Spider
This spider is rarely seen during
the day as it camouflages itself amongst the leaves. However, once the sun
sets, the Two-spined spider begins to become active. This nocturnal spider displays
a yellow upper-abdominal surface with two horn-like spines It is also
known to construct a loose horizontal wheel web that looks like an clothesline,
great for catching night time insects such as moths.
6.
Whistling Spider
Also called bird spiders for their
hairy abdomen that resembles a bird chick, these huge spiders usually burrow in
the ground. Their drab brown or grey colour blends perfectly to the soil which
they use to ambush their insect prey. Whistling spiders create a “whistling
sound” by rubbing their palps and fangs together.
7.
Lichen Spider
These spiders are the masters of
forest camouflage. Their body colouring is very similar to patches of lichen
attached to trees. It makes them blend perfectly to the rainforest and often
surprise visitors who realise that they are actually looking at a spider and
not at a clump of tree lichen.
Spiders are part of a healthy ecosystem. They
might look scary but they do play a critical role in keeping the balance in the
rainforest’s food chain. It is also a fun activity to meet and learn from these
friendly and interesting spiders of the Daintree.
Find out more "must-do" things to do in Cape Tribulation and book a Cape tribulation tour with your
local travel agent.
Spider via photopin (license)
Traverse via photopin (license)
Spider via photopin (license)
Mr.Spidey - The Web Master | Explored via photopin (license)
