Dysdera crocata
Slater-Eating Spider Identification in Australia
Reddish spider with long forward-pointing jaws and a pale grey to yellow-brown abdomen, often found in damp sheltered places.
First aid / what to do now
- Move away from the spider and avoid handling it.
- Wash the bite area with soap and water.
- Use a cold pack for pain or swelling.
- Call 13 11 26 or seek medical advice if symptoms are severe, spreading, infected-looking, allergic, or you are unsure what bit you.
This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.
How to identify the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter
- Reddish upper body and legs
- Pale grey or yellow-brown cylindrical abdomen
- Large forward-pointing jaws
- Often under logs, rocks, bricks, paving or damp shelter
Danger level
Usually low risk
What to check next
Check for the reddish front half, pale abdomen and damp hiding place. It hunts slaters and does not make a prey-catching web.
When to seek medical help
A bite is not usually considered dangerous, but the large jaws can be painful. Seek advice for severe pain, swelling, infection signs, allergic symptoms or uncertainty.
Where the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter is usually seen in Australia
Damp sheltered ground habitats, urban gardens, old bricks, paving, rocks, logs and rubbish, especially in south-eastern Australia.
How it differs from lookalikes
These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.
- Swift ground spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for the reddish front half, pale abdomen and damp hiding place. It hunts slaters and does not make a prey-catching web. For the other possibility, check: Check behaviour first: running on the ground without a web points toward ground-hunting spiders.
- Common house spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for the reddish front half, pale abdomen and damp hiding place. It hunts slaters and does not make a prey-catching web. For the other possibility, check: Check for a messy corner web, small rounded abdomen and lack of a strong redback-style red stripe or hourglass marking.
- Red and black spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check for the reddish front half, pale abdomen and damp hiding place. It hunts slaters and does not make a prey-catching web. For the other possibility, check: Compare with redback clues: redbacks are usually in a messy web with a rounded dark body and red abdominal mark.
Common comparisons
People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.
Compare this spider by state
Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.
Similar spiders to compare
Compare this spider with these likely lookalikes before settling on an identification.
Swift ground spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Common house spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Red and black spiderUsually low risksame region, similar size, similar colour
Wolf spiderPainful but usually not life-threateningsame region, similar size, similar colourNext useful checks
Still trying to identify this spider?
Use these quick paths if the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.
Reference notes
How this guide stays cautious
Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.
- Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
- Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
- Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.
Common questions
Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter FAQ
Is the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter dangerous?
Danger level: Usually low risk. A bite is not usually considered dangerous, but the large jaws can be painful. Seek advice for severe pain, swelling, infection signs, allergic symptoms or uncertainty.
How do I identify the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter?
Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Reddish upper body and legs; Pale grey or yellow-brown cylindrical abdomen; Large forward-pointing jaws; Often under logs, rocks, bricks, paving or damp shelter.
What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter?
Clean the area, use a cold pack for pain, and seek medical advice if pain is severe, symptoms spread, infection signs appear, or you are unsure what bit you.
Where is the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter usually found?
Damp sheltered ground habitats, urban gardens, old bricks, paving, rocks, logs and rubbish, especially in south-eastern Australia.
What spiders look similar to the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter?
Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.
Can I identify the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter by photo?
A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Slater-eating spider / woodlouse hunter, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.