The redback spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) is a dangerous spider endemic to Australia. It is a member of the genus Latrodectus, the widow spiders, which are found throughout the world. The female is easily recognisable by her black body with a prominent red stripe on the back of her abdomen. Females have a body length of about 1cm while the male is smaller, being only 3 to 4 mils long. The redback spider is one of few arachnids which usually display sexual cannibalism wile mating.