| Christmas Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Araneae |
| Family | Araneidae |
| Genus | Austracantha |
| Species | A. minax |
The Christmas Spider, also known as the Jewel Spider (Austracantha Minax) is a spider endemic to Australia. Rarely seen throughout the year, these spiders get their name for coming out during early summer, which in Australia is Christmas time. At this time they become quite common and after a short while will become less abundant.
They come in many patterns in colours varying from white, yellow and orange, with rarely seen Melanesia forms during autumn. They have six, thorn like spines on their abdomen that makes these spiders stand out from the many others in the area. They can group up in one spot and make many overlapping orb webs. They have an almost metallic black body that shines in the sun. They are found throughout the mainland and surrounding islands such as Tasmania, Barrow island and Montibello island. It is the only known species with the genus Austracantha.