CREATURE FEATURE

by Kerri-Lee Harris

Spiders play crucial roles in our local ecosystems. There are about 10,000 species in Australia, one third of them identified to species level. And the Atlas of Life region has its fair share of these fascinating animals.

Many birds depend on spiders, for the silk they use in nest building, and for food. Kookaburras and other kingfishers, as well as many honeyeaters, consume large numbers of spiders, large and small. Many insects feast on spiders, including many wasp species. And, of course, spiders feast on insects ... and on other spiders.

Here are just a few of our local species:

For more local spider stories, including a detailed analysis of some local funnel webs and trapdoors, visit Life in a Southern Forest

If you have a story to tell about life in your part of the Atlas of Life region, please consider sending us a Creature Feature story. Contact Atlas of Life.