Funnel-web Spider

Location: These spiders are often found in Australia giving them the name “Australian “Funnel-web Spiders

·         These spiders large, bulky and look like tarantulas

·         Funnel-web Spiders are dark in colour, from black to brown, with a shiny head and thorax.

·         Female Funnel-web Spiders can live up to 20 years!

·         They are very aggressive and their bite is known to penetrate fingernails and shoes.

 

The Bite

·       The strength of the venom from the bite from a female Funnel-web Spider is only about a sixth as strong of the venom from a male Funnel-web spider. The venom of the spider is dangerous to apes, monkeys and humans but barely seems to have any negative effects on

      Other animals. This is because the animals have become resistant to the venom.

·         If bitten, you will feel a rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure. You will also experience nausea, headaches and vomiting.

·         You should call emergency services immediately, apply a bandage and firm pressure over the bite.

Diet

The Sydney Funnel-web spider’s diet mostly consists of insects. Sometimes frogs and lizards may also be eaten.

Burrows and eggs

Funnel-web spiders live in burrows in the ground.

The Female spider produces a sack containing hundreds of eggs in the burrow.

Young Funnel-web Spiders are raised inside the burrow.

 

Funnel-web spider burrow