My Barking SpiderSarah’s household field notes
Home / What is a barking spider? The name and the noise
Sarah’s household field notes

What is a barking spider? The name and the noise

The familiar expression, the sound it describes, and the distinction from real Australian spiders.

A convenient explanation for a familiar sound

In everyday humour, “barking spider” is an imaginary culprit blamed for a fart. That is the meaning illustrated by our sound collection and fictional encounters.

What does a barking spider sound like?

In this tradition, it sounds like a short toot, a rasp, or a longer rumbling fart. Listen to the examples rather than relying on an elaborate description.

What about real spiders?

The name is also used for real Australian tarantulas, sometimes called whistling spiders. Their defensive sound is produced by stridulation, not the mechanism imagined in these stories. Do not use this fictional archive as animal-care or species-identification advice.

For the real animals, consult the Australian Museum’s tarantula reference.