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Spider diversity

Find out what spiders are, where they came from and how they got around, as well as Australia's own diverse spider fauna.

A Spider toolkit

Discover the highly developed range of tools spiders use for sensing the world, catching and eating food, mating, and protecting themselves. Spiders also make the most versatile tool of all - silk.

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Spider webs and silk

Spider webs and silk

Spider webs and silk

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Spider Building a Web

Spider Building a Web

Spider Building a Web

Australia's spider fauna

Australia's described spider fauna consists of about 2000 species, perhaps as little as half of the total fauna.

Dangerous spiders

There are thousands of species of spiders in Australia, but few are considered dangerous. Find out about these species, the effects of their venom and how bites are treated.

Spiders in the Australian Museum Collections

Read stories about some interesting collection specimens and find out more about the Arachnology Collection.

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Australian spiders

Australian spiders

Australian spiders

A spider's life

Spiders live in a challenging world and not all survive to a ripe old age. Learn about how spiders feed, reproduce, develop and protect themselves.

Spiders in art and culture

Here are just some of the ways spiders have featured in the rituals, beliefs, art, entertainment and literature of people from all over the world, from ancient through to modern times.

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Boy on bee
Amazing Backyard Sleepover

19 Mar 10 – 20 Mar 10

Come and spend a Night at the Australian Museum and feel like you are sleeping over in your very own backyard.

Australian Museum, entry via William Street

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