Giant new trapdoor spider discovered in Australia is terrifying

A 'rare and giant' trapdoor spider species has been discovered by Queensland Museum in central Queensland's Brigalow Belt.

ABC News reported the brand spanking new spider is around the diameter of a 50-cent piece coin and lives in woodland habitats in the central Queensland region.

It builds its burrows in the black soil around Eidsvold and Monto, west of Bundaberg.

The species' name is Euoplos Dignitas, derived from Latin, which translates to dignity or greatness.

Queensland Museum

So, these guys aren't exactly small.

The name is also a nod to Queensland Museum's Project DIG, which supported the research project in fieldwork, genetic research and lab work.

"The females, which are the larger trapdoor spiders of the two sexes, they're almost five centimetres in body length," the museum's primary arachnologist Michael Rix said, as per the ABC.

"They've got these really cryptic trapdoors in these woodland habitats on the ground and most people wouldn't even realise that they're there."

He added they’re ‘big beautiful’ creatures.

According to Dr Rix, there aren’t too many of these babies lurking around due to land clearing, meaning they're likely to be an endangered species.

He added that these spiders usually spend six to seven years in the burrows until the males creep out in search of a female mate.

Queensland Museum

Ah, they’re just like humans.

"The males of this species are what we sort of call a really honey-red colour — they're really quite stunning," he said.

However, the female species is frequently darker and stockier as they spend most of their life underground.

And those of you who aren’t too comfortable around eight-legged beasts, rest assured, as trapdoor spiders don’t pose any threat to humans.

Dr Rix added you might feel a little sting if they bite you, but their fangs don’t possess any dangerous venom.

Phew!

Dr Jeremy Wilson, research assistant of arachnology at Queensland Museum, added as per 7News: “What I really love about the type of work we get to do here at the Queensland Museum.

“You get to come into the collection and look through specimens from across Australia and you just never know what you’re going to find.

“When you then get to see that through to the end, which is giving a name to that species and knowing that that species is now known to everyone and can be protected.”

Topics: News, Australia, Environment, Animals

Charisa Bossinakis

Charisa Bossinakis is an Associative Journalist at LADbible. Charisa has worked across various media platforms including, print, digital, radio and podcasting while maintaining the highest regard for quality work and integrity. She also covered everything from breaking news, to pop culture, entertainment and politics and is part of the editorial team for LADbible.

@CBossinakis