Exciting news from the world of arachnology! A new species of spider has recently been discovered in the forests of Queensland, Australia. This eight-legged giant is a Golden Trapdoor Spider, and it's even bigger than your average trapdoor spider - growing up to 5cm long, which is about 1cm larger than a milk bottle top! Scientists who made the discovery believe that the spider may already be endangered due to the loss of woodland in the area. The Giant Trapdoor Spider, as it's officially named, hides in a hole covered by leaves during the day and jumps out at night to catch insects for food. Despite using venom-filled fangs when hunting, the spider's bite wouldn't be fatal to humans, although it may be painful. The new species has been given the scientific name Euoplos dignitas, which translates to "dignity" or "greatness" in English, reflecting the spider's impressive size. It's believed that adult female spiders of this species can live up to 20 years! The discovery was made as part of a campaign called Project Dig, which aims to showcase the natural world of the area and protect it better. Dr Michael Rix, who led the team of scientists that discovered the new arachnid, described it as a "spectacular spider... and a big beautiful species". Dr Jeremy Wilson, another member of the team, expressed his joy in knowing that the species is now known to everyone and can be protected. It's always exciting to discover a new species, and we hope that the Giant Trapdoor Spider will continue to thrive in its natural habitat.
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