Australia has a well-known reputation as home to some of the world's deadliest creatures.
In fact, until now, Australia also still has the oldest spider in the world.
The trapdoor spider, named Number 16, died at an advanced age of 43 years, during a long-term population study in Central Wheatbelt, Western Australia (WA). It goes far beyond its previous rival, a 28-year-old Mexican tarantula.
Leanda Mason of Curtin University says that the life of the number 16 arachnid animal is very important in allowing scientists to further investigate the behavior and population dynamics of the trapdoor spider.
The research project was started by a renowned biologist and spider specialist from the University of Western Australia, Barbara York Main in 1974.
Number 16 was found in Professor Barbara Main's original survey that year."Through the detailed research of Professor Barbara Main, we can determine that the long lifespan of the trap spider is due to the characteristics of their life history, including how they live in unlogged bush land, their sedentary nature and their low metabolic rate, "said Leanda Mason.
Professor Barbara Main's research has shown that the male trapdoor spider left its burrow in adulthood, about seven to nine years, to wander looking for a mate, after which he died.