Where mouse spiders live
Mouse spiders are found over much of mainland Australia, in habitats ranging from open forest to semi-arid shrubland. The species with the largest distribution is the Red-headed Mouse Spider. This may be related to the fact that the spiderlings of this species are known to disperse aerially by ballooning, possibly over many kilometres. This is a very rare ability among mygalomorph spiders, most of which disperse over relatively short distances by walking.
1. Map of Australia showing the distribution of Eastern Mouse Spider, Missulena bradleyi. 2. Map of Australia showing the distribution of Red-headed Mouse Spider, M. occatoria. 3. Map of Australia showing the distribution of Northern Mouse Spider, M. pruinosa.
