Internet meet Daddy Long-Legs

Rhonda was asking how big our spiders are. I found this Huntsman spider today to show you. They are harmless. However, a lot of other Australian creatures aren't so friendly.

I am reposting a story I did last year about Australia's deadliest animals. Apologies to those of you who have already read this. As for those of you who haven't...well...

Some people think we Aussies spend our lives wrestling crocodiles, stepping on deadly spiders and wearing snakes around our necks as some kind of fashion accessory. A myth more than likely created by the popularity of Steve Irwin and Paul Hogan before him.

While we love the outdoors, we don't all wear khaki or carry huge knives just in case we stumble upon a deadly creature. (Update: Apparently that is not entirely true any longer. According to the Government (previous post), females of the human species can often be seen wielding long bladed weapons. It should be noted that they consider anything that moves as a potential target. They are now listed on the 10 most dangerous list).

The Land Down Under is home to many of Earth’s most venomous creatures, such as the inland taipan, whose venom is 50 times more toxic than that of the king cobras and the box jellyfish where death can occur within three minutes of being stung.

Strangely though, many Australians are unaware that they are sharing their backyard with extremely venomous animals. While the animals in this country may be much more deadly than anywhere else in the world, they are treated with the same amount of thought and respect that others may give to water moccasins or the black widow. Their presence is accepted and it is an unwritten rule that you 'don't mess with the wildlife'.

Like most Australians, I've had my own share of 'wildlife encounters', many with the world's most deadliest animal.

No, I didn't get up close and personal with a bear even though they kill up to 10 people across the world each year

Or sharks which kill 100 people a year

Or box jellyfish which kill 120 people a year

Or hippopotami which easily outpace humans on land and kill 150 people a year

Or elephants which kill up to 500 people a year

Or big cats which kill around 800 people a year

Or crocodiles which kill around 850 people a year

Or scorpions which paralyse their prey and cause 2,000 fatalities a year

Or snakes which cause up to 125,000 deaths a year.

No, the animal which has caused me the most grief and which kills up to 3 million people a year

is the

mosquito.

See, you really don't have anything to fear in visiting Australia. Other than the 17 hour plane flight to get here. So come on down!

Warning: Please don't frighten the children by clicking on the spider image without warning them - the old boy has a surprised look on his face and very hairy legs! (Rhonda looking at your latest post you clearly need to regain some ground. Your children may in fact benefit from seeing this spider...several times in quick succession.)

Note: If you did happen to have an unfortunate and deadly mishap with a snake, red back spider or box jelly fish, what would it mean for your blog? See the Steamed Sponge blog for a thought provoking post about this very topic.

Have a great weekend!