Largest Fangs?

[Ultimate Instar]

What's the record on the largest fang size? Also, do Ts usually sink their fangs all the way into their prey or is it only half way in?

Karen N.

 

[Alex S.]

Missulena occatoria

Relative to body size the female Missulena occatoria (red-headed mouse spider) of Australia has the largest fangs as well as the largest chelicerae of any Mygalomorph spider. Mouse spiders are not tarantulas though.

Alex S.

 

[Theraphosa]

they must be deadly, from that picture it's pretty small for spider to hunt a mouse.

 

[Alex S.]

Missulena

"Mouse spider" is just the common name, it doesnt mean they prey on mice, although, they are capable of it. The diet of Missulena mainly consists of insects and occasional small lizards.

Alex S.

 

[Henry Kane]

Originally posted by Theraposa
they must be deadly, from that picture it's pretty small for spider to hunt a mouse.

From what I've read on that specie the effects of it's venom were reportedly very similar to Atrax robustus-Sydney Funnel Web venom. In fact, Atrax robustus antivenom has been used successfully to treat Missulena bites.

Atrax

 

[Steve Nunn]

Originally posted by Atrax
From what I've read on that specie the effects of it's venom were reportedly very similar to Atrax robustus-Sydney Funnel Web venom. In fact, Atrax robustus antivenom has been used successfully to treat Missulena bites.

Atrax

There's research underway at the moment into their venom. There have been a few serious bites from this genus and M. occaroria has the largest venom yeild of all. The first near fatal bite was by a confirmed specimen of M. bradleyi.

The common name 'mouse spider' came about because it was once thought they dug long and winding burrows similar to what mice did. It's now known not to be true.

Steve