Mouse spiders belong to the genus Missulena which also includes trapdoor spiders. There are eight described species of mouse spider throughout mainland Australia. The most common include the Eastern mouse spider (M. bradleyi) which is found on the eastern costal and highland regions, and the red-headed mouse spider (M. occatoria) which is much wider spread (especially throughout the Great Dividing Range). Mouse spiders are occasionally mistaken for funnel web spiders.
