[1][2] They have very large abdomens when well-fed and exhibit a tremendous colour-range from off-white through tan, brown to almost black.

They have a roughly leaf-shaped pattern on the top of their abdomen with a complex outline that is darker than the surrounding area.

When disturbed they will retreat towards this rest area, although under imminent danger the spider will drop to the ground and "play dead".

Occasionally individual spiders will remain on the web during the day, possibly when prey has not been caught for a while, but this makes them more vulnerable to predation by birds.

Their bite is not dangerous to humans but may induce mild, local pain, redness, and occasionally swelling for a period of 30 minutes up to three to four hours.