Spiders

Australian redback spiders found their way to New Zealand in the 1980s.  

These dangerously venomous spiders are now found in Central Otago and New Plymouth, where they pose a risk to both people and… Audio

Looking for a spider to fall in love with? Well, this week's critter is a real head-turner. The endemic black-headed jumping spider, Trite planiceps, loves dancing, hunting and snuggling up in a cozy… Audio

They can hunt, they can fish, they build little nurseries for their babies. Oh and some of them also engage in a bit of sexual cannibalism. Claire Concannon goes on a nighttime stroll in Kirikiriroa… Audio

With the Bug of the Year 2023 competition coming to the closing stages, it's not surprising that things are getting heated. In this breaking news story we learn how voting preferences have caused a… Audio

Claire Concannon joins researchers from the University of Waikato to learn about the spiders they are studying, and about just how weird spider reproduction can get. Audio

Dr Fiona Cross loves spiders. She loves their webs, the mini eyes, their mini legs. She is an arachnologist, that is, as the name might suggest, one who studies spiders. Although as she told Emile… Audio

Why is that Spider Dancing? The Amazing Arachnids of Aotearoa which is aimed at 9 to 12-year-old readers. Audio, Gallery

Wellington Zoo has reached a "huge milestone" after successfully hatching 13 Goliath bird-eating tarantulas. It's the first zoo in Australasia to breed the species. However, as Amelia Langford finds… Audio

Dr Paul Hume, MacDiarmid Institute Postdoctoral Fellow at Victoria University of Wellington looks into the science behind Spiderman's silk. Audio

In New Zealand there are around 2000 species - some are endemic and others have made their way here by hitching a ride with humans.  Audio, Gallery

Peacock spiders are tiny, booty-shaking spiders from Australia, and despite their incredible colouring and patterns the man who’s spent years studying them says his colourblindness could be an… Audio, Gallery

Ecologist, Leanda Mason tells Jesse the story of trapdoor spider Number 16, the world's oldest documented spider. Audio, Gallery

Today's Science of Life episode is about spiders. Simon Pollard knows a lot about spiders - he's has written children's books about them, was external science advisor to Te Papa and Weta Workshop on… Audio

Rotorua-based Bryce McQuillan is a passionate wildlife photographer. He's been taking extreme close-ups of insects with a macro lens for seven years. His specialty is spiders. He also takes photos of… Audio, Gallery

Portia the jumping spider can count. Audio