People usually search “Australian barking spider” when one has turned up in the shed, when they’ve heard the odd hiss/whistle coming from leaf litter, or when they’re wondering if these big, hairy tarantulas are safe to keep at home. The stakes are simple: a stressed spider can bite, and the wrong handling (or the wrong paperwork) can cause trouble for both you and the animal.
In Australia, “barking spider” is a loose common name for whistling tarantulas. They’re best understood as shy, burrow-living ambush hunters that rely on warning sounds, speed, and impressive fangs when cornered. This page keeps the focus on what they are, what the sound means, and what “pet care” really looks like in practical, legal terms.1, 2
What is an “Australian barking spider”?
“Barking spider” commonly refers to large Australian tarantulas (family Theraphosidae) that can make an audible warning sound when disturbed. Two species often linked with the nickname are the Queensland whistling tarantula (Selenocosmia crassipes) and Stirling’s tarantula (Selenocosmia stirlingi).1, 3
They are mygalomorph spiders: heavy-bodied, long-lived, mostly terrestrial, and often fossorial (burrow-dwelling). You’ll usually see them at night, or after rain, or when mature males roam in search of females.2
The “bark”: what the sound actually is
The sound isn’t a bark in any mammal sense. It’s stridulation: the spider rubs specialised structures together to produce a hiss, hum, or whistle, most often when it’s threatened and holding a defensive posture.2
In plain terms, it’s a warning. The spider is saying: don’t touch me, don’t crowd me. That’s your cue to step back and let it retreat.
Size, lifespan, and where they live
Australian whistling/barking tarantulas are large spiders by local standards. Selenocosmia crassipes is reported to reach legspans up to about 22 cm, with a robust body built for digging and holding prey.1
Habitat depends on the species. For example, S. crassipes is associated with north-eastern Australia and lives in burrows across a range of habitats, rather than only “dry, arid regions”.4
Lifespan is also often misstated. Many tarantulas are long-lived, especially females. Claims like “up to 5 years” or “up to 10 years” can be too low for Australian tarantulas as a group, depending on species and sex.1, 2
Temperament: shy, defensive when cornered
These spiders aren’t out looking for conflict, but they do defend themselves effectively if handled or trapped. When provoked they may rear up, display fangs, stridulate, and bite. The safest assumption is that any handling attempt can escalate the situation quickly.2
Are barking spiders dangerous to humans?
Australian tarantulas are not generally considered among Australia’s most medically dangerous spiders, but their bite can still be significant. The Australian Museum notes that bites can be painful and that more severe symptoms (including nausea and vomiting for several hours) have been reported.2
They also have large fangs, which can cause mechanical injury and increase infection risk if a bite is not cleaned and monitored.2
If you’re bitten
- Wash the area with soap and water, apply a cold pack, and seek medical advice if symptoms are more than mild or you feel unwell.
- Pressure immobilisation bandages are recommended for funnel-web and mouse spider bites, not as a default for all spider bites.5
- If safe, capture the spider for identification using a jar and a stiff card—no bare hands.5
Keeping barking spiders as pets: what to consider first
The original draft frames barking spiders as “wonderful companions” and gives care instructions like a typical pet profile. In practice, Australian tarantulas are better treated as display animals: minimal disturbance, minimal handling, and a setup that lets the spider do what it’s built to do—hide, dig, and ambush prey.
Before any enclosure decisions, check legality in your state or territory. Rules differ, and in Queensland a licence is required to keep protected native animals, with specific licence types that can include protected spiders and scorpions.6
Legal basics (Queensland example)
Queensland’s native animal licensing system covers keeping, using, and trading protected native animals. The government advises buyers to purchase native wildlife only from licensed sellers and to check licences before buying.6, 7
If you’re outside Queensland, use your local wildlife authority’s guidance before you buy, sell, transport, or advertise any native spider.
Housing: build for a burrower, not for handling
A barking/whistling tarantula enclosure should prioritise security, ventilation, and depth of substrate for burrowing, plus an easy way to service the enclosure without cornering the spider. The goal is a stable refuge, not a display box with constant rearranging.
General principles that reduce stress and escape risk:
- Secure lid with good ventilation.
- Deep substrate so the spider can dig and settle (behaviour varies by species and individual).2
- Hide options (cork bark, half-log, or a starter burrow) so it can retreat rather than “stand its ground”.
- Water dish kept clean, plus attention to humidity appropriate to the species and local conditions.
Feeding: a grounded view of what they eat
Australian tarantulas mostly take insects, and some species will take small vertebrates opportunistically (for example, frogs). Despite dramatic nicknames, they’re not known for regularly eating birds.4
In captivity, it’s safer and more practical to stick with appropriately sized invertebrate prey (such as crickets or roaches), offered at intervals that suit the spider’s size and appetite. Remove uneaten prey if it’s stressing the spider or lingering during moulting periods.
Handling and safety: the simplest rule
Don’t handle them. Even calm individuals can react suddenly when touched, and a fall from hand-height can injure or kill a heavy-bodied spider. The Australian Museum specifically warns keepers not to attempt handling and to be careful when cleaning containers.2
Low-drama ways to reduce risk
- Use long tools (tongs, a soft brush) for minor adjustments.
- Do maintenance during daylight when the spider is often less active.
- Have a catch cup and card ready before opening the enclosure.
- Never reach into a burrow. That’s where bites happen.
Common health and welfare issues in captivity
Most problems trace back to enclosure conditions and disturbance rather than disease.
- Dehydration or poor hydration access: a water dish and a stable setup matter, especially during warmer weather.
- Moulting complications: stress, inadequate hydration, or unsuitable conditions can make moults harder. Avoid feeding and avoid disturbance when a spider is in pre-moult or actively moulting.
- Mites and hygiene issues: keep leftover prey and waste under control; quarantine new feeder insects if you suspect contamination.
- Injury from falls: another reason handling is a bad trade.
Final thoughts
Australian barking spiders are a reminder that the continent’s most impressive animals often live close to the ground, half-hidden, doing their work quietly. If you encounter one in the wild, give it space and let it return to its burrow. If you’re determined to keep one, treat it as a protected native animal first and a “pet” second: check your local laws, source it legally, and build an enclosure that allows a wary spider to remain a wary spider.6, 7
References
- Wikipedia — Selenocosmia crassipes (Queensland whistling tarantula / barking spider)
- Australian Museum — Australian tarantulas (whistling/barking spiders): communication and danger to humans
- Wikipedia — Barking spider (common name and species)
- Australian Museum — Tarantulas: the truth behind their evil image (whistling spider habitat and diet notes)
- Australian Museum — Spider bites and venoms (first aid notes and pressure immobilisation guidance)
- Queensland Government — Licences to keep, use or display native animals
- Queensland Government — Wildlife permits (buy only from licensed sellers)
- Wikipedia — Selenocosmia stirlingi (often called a barking/whistling spider)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom