The Redback Spider is a close relative to the American, Black Widow Spider. Only the female Red Back Spider is dangerous to humans but generally will not bite humans unless they are provoked. The male's fangs are too short to pierce human skin.

The female redback is approximately 10 mm long, and is all black, except from the large red stripe on the body. The male redback is about 4 mm long and has a white abdomen and has four black stripes down the side of the body. The male may also have very small red markings on the body. More than 200 Redback Spider bites requiring anti-venom are reported every year.

Redback spiders are found all over Australia, in all states and cities. The redback spider likes any damp, dark places to make a home. They are not fussy and would make a home for themselves inside an empty coke can. You can find redbacks in most gardens throughout Western Australia under fence eves, in pot plants, under outdoor furniture and even in houses.

The Redback spider has a varied diet. They eat many different insects, ranging from flies to moths. The redback may also be found with a dead skink or small lizard.

The female is able to store the sperm of a male, and use it over a period of up to two years to lay several batches of eggs. Hence, the elimination or absence of males is no guarantee that the female cannot produce more young.