Here in Australia, we are home to some of the world’s most deadly spiders here is some information about three of them which I will share over the next three weeks starting with the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider.
The Sydney funnel‑web isn’t just dangerous because of its venom but because of the combination of venom, behaviour, and anatomy.
Its venom is uniquely potent to humans as it targets the nervous system, causing nerves to fire uncontrollably. However, dogs, cats, and most mammals are barely affected.
They deliver a lot of venom, this may have something to do with the fact that they bit repeatedly injecting large amounts of venom while they hang on.
They have huge fangs up to 6 mm long and strong enough to pierce fingernails, leather shoes, and thick clothing.
They’re aggressive when threatened, they will rear up, show their fangs, and will lunge if provoked. This is defensive, not “attacking,” but it makes encounters more dangerous.
They love humidity and after rain males wander looking for mates. They can be found in pools, shoes, garages and laundries, they also enter houses often.
Most bites happen in summer after rain, especially between January and March.
Symptoms can begin within 10 minutes, they include the following:
- Tingling around the mouth
- Sweating (especially on the face)
- Drooling
- Muscle twitching
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Confusion or agitation
Without antivenom, severe cases can progress to respiratory failure.
In 1981 the antivenom was created by the legendary Australian venom researcher Struan Sutherland and changed everything as since then there have been zero deaths as the antivenom is extremely effective with most patients recover fully within 24–48 hours.
Now where do they live they can found in:
- Sydney
- Central Coast
- Newcastle
- Lake Macquarie
- Hunter Valley
- Blue Mountains
They prefer to hang out in the following conditions
- moist soil
- leaf litter
- rock walls
- garden beds
- under logs
- swimming pool filters
The male is far more dangerous they wander at night looking for females.
Females stay in burrows and rarely bite humans.
Their burrows are a silk‑lined tunnel, with “trip lines” radiating out like spokes and are in moist, dark areas such as under rocks or logs.
They don’t make the classic “funnel” shape people imagine — it’s more like a silk‑reinforced hole.
Ewwwww
I agree
woah!
Yeah
Wowza’s. Are there lots of them?
Yeah there is
Holy CRAP!!!
I wouldn’t want meet one ANYDAY!!!
Same here
I’m glad I don’t live in Australia, I don’t think I would be able to survive with finding one of these in my house.
I am glad I have never seen one
Looks like we’ve got them here in the US too? Creepy, crawly things give me the heebie-jeebies. Try to keep my distance. Be safe out there. ❤
Yeah they make me feel the same way
I don’t mind spiders like most people, but that one would definitely give me pause!
So it shou;ld
Good summary. One thing worth adding for Sydney readers who do find one: the Australian Reptile Park still relies on the public catching funnel-webs for its antivenom program. Their method is a smooth glass jar with a lid and a long smooth spoon, never anything wooden, because the spiders can’t climb smooth surfaces. Add a little damp soil from where you found it and drop it at a collection point. Sutherland Hospital in Caringbah takes them 24 hours a day through Emergency. We get plenty of funnel-web calls after summer rain at Sutherland Shire Pest Control Pro, and that list is the first thing we mention.
Thanks for adding this I found what you wrote interesting