Damon Mcknight
Australian funnel-web spiders are regarded as one of the most deadly spider groups globally, with six species known to have caused severe injuries or fatalities in humans. These spiders are native to Australia and are medium to large in size, with body lengths ranging from 1 cm to 5 cm. However, one exceptional specimen, dubbed the Big Boy, has been recorded to reach up to 8 cm in length, earning its place as Australia's largest deadly funnel-web spider.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Family | Atracidae |
| Genera | Atrax, Hadronyche, Illawarra |
| Species | 35-38 |
| Body Length | 1-5 cm, with one specimen reaching 8 cm |
| Colour | Blue-black, black, brown, dark plum |
| Habitat | Moist, cool, sheltered habitats under rocks, rotting logs, rough-barked trees, suburban rockeries, shrubberies |
| Distribution | East coast of Australia, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland |
| Venom | Highly toxic and fast-acting |
| Antivenom | Available since 1981 |
| Nocturnal | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The Sydney funnel-web spider is 1-5 cm long
The Sydney funnel-web spider is a species of venomous mygalomorph spider native to eastern Australia, usually found within a 100 km radius of Sydney. It is a member of the Australian funnel-web spiders family, which consists of 35 to 38 species. The Sydney funnel-web spider is 1-5 cm long, with one exceptional specimen reaching 8 cm. It is medium to large in size, with the female being larger than the male. The male is, however, longer-legged and has a shorter lifespan.
The Sydney funnel-web spider is darkly coloured, ranging from blue-black to black, to shades of brown or dark plum. Its carapace covering the cephalothorax is almost hairless and appears smooth and glossy. The spider has finger-like spinnerets at the end of its abdomen. The male Sydney funnel-web spider has a large mating spur projecting from the middle of its second pair of legs.
Sydney funnel-web spiders are mostly terrestrial and favour habitats with moist sand and clay. They typically build silk-lined tubular burrow retreats with collapsed "tunnels" or open "funnel" entrances from which irregular trip-lines radiate over the ground. They are commonly found in suburban rockeries and shrubberies, rarely in open terrain. They are also found in suburban houses and backyards, and in swimming pools, into which they often fall while wandering.
The Sydney funnel-web spider is one of the most venomous spiders to humans. Its bite can cause serious illness or death if left untreated. The spider's venom attacks the human nervous system. However, no fatalities have occurred since the introduction of modern first-aid techniques and antivenom in 1981.
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The largest Australian funnel-web spider is the 'Big Boy'
Australian funnel-web spiders are one of the most medically significant groups of spiders in the world and are regarded by some to be the most deadly in terms of clinical cases and venom toxicity. They are native to the eastern coast of Australia and are commonly found in suburban areas, garages, and yards.
The largest Australian funnel-web spider is the Big Boy. It is a newly discovered species, previously considered a variation of the Sydney funnel-web spider. The Big Boy is one of three species of Sydney funnel-web spiders, the others being Atrax robustus and Atrax montanus. The Big Boy is the largest of the three, growing up to 3.5 inches (9 cm) long, while the other two species grow up to 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 in) in length.
The Big Boy is found in a small region surrounding the city of Newcastle, about 105 miles (170 km) north of Sydney. It lives in rainforests south and west of Sydney. The species was first described by Kane Christensen, former head of spiders at the Australian Reptile Park, in the early 2000s, and he gave them the nickname "big boys."
The Sydney funnel-web spider is known for its extremely dangerous venom, and the Big Boy is believed to be just as venomous as its sister species, Atrax robustus. The Sydney funnel-web spider is also among the most venomous spiders to humans. The male Sydney funnel-web spider is considered more dangerous than the female as it carries toxic venom that attacks the human nervous system.
The Australian funnel-web spiders are known for their long, narrow, silk-lined burrows, and they can often be found in suburban areas. They are mostly nocturnal and build their burrows in moist, cool, and sheltered habitats under rocks and rotting logs.
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Some species are 8 cm long
Australian funnel-web spiders are medium to large in size, with body lengths ranging from 1 cm to 5 cm. However, one exceptional specimen has been recorded to reach 8 cm in length, earning it the nickname "Big Boy". This makes it not just one of the biggest funnel-web spiders, but also one of the largest spiders in Australia.
The "Big Boy" funnel-web spider, scientifically known as Atrax christenseni, is native to a small region surrounding the city of Newcastle, approximately 170 km north of Sydney. It is one of three species of the Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) and is the largest of the three, with the other two being Atrax montanus and the aforementioned Atrax robustus.
The Sydney funnel-web spider, of which the "Big Boy" variant is a part, is considered one of the most venomous spiders in the world. Its bite can cause serious illness or death in humans if left untreated. The male of the species is more dangerous than the female, as it carries toxic venom that attacks the human nervous system.
The "Big Boy" funnel-web spider's size and venom make it a formidable creature. Its body length of 8 cm is impressive, especially when compared to the more typical 1-5 cm length of other Australian funnel-web spiders. This makes it a large and potentially deadly spider, and its discovery has added a new dimension to the understanding of Australian arachnids.
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They are native to eastern Australia
Australian funnel-web spiders are native to eastern Australia, from Tasmania to north Queensland. They are found in moist forest regions along the east coast and highlands of Australia, as well as in the drier open forests of the Western Slopes of the Great Dividing Range and South Australia's Gulf region. The primary range of these spiders includes New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland. The only Australian states or territories without funnel-web spiders are Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus), one of the most venomous spiders in the world, is native to eastern Australia, usually found within a 100 km (62 mi) radius of Sydney. It is a member of the Australian funnel-web spider family and is considered one of the most deadly spiders in terms of clinical cases and venom toxicity. The Sydney funnel-web spider is medium to large in size, with a body length ranging from 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 in), and is glossy and darkly coloured, ranging from blue-black to black to shades of brown or dark plum.
The northern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider (Hadronyche formidabilis) is another species of Australian funnel-web spider known for its potentially deadly bite. It is found in the Gulf region of South Australia and the moist upland forest areas of the Hornsby Plateau and Woronora Plateau in Sydney's suburbs.
The southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider (Hadronyche cerberea) and the Blue Mountains funnel-web spider (Hadronyche versuta) are two additional species of Australian funnel-web spiders native to eastern Australia. The Darling Downs funnel-web spider (Hadronyche infensa) and the Port Macquarie funnel-web spider (Hadronyche macquariensis) are also found in this region.
Funnel-web spiders in eastern Australia typically inhabit moist, cool, and sheltered habitats, burrowing under rocks, rotting logs, and rough-barked trees. They are commonly found in suburban rockeries and shrubberies, occasionally wandering into backyards and falling into swimming pools.
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They are one of the most venomous spiders
Australian funnel-web spiders are one of the most medically significant groups of spiders in the world. They are regarded by some as the most deadly, in terms of clinical cases and venom toxicity. Six species have caused severe injuries or fatalities in human victims: the Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus), the northern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider (Hadronyche formidabilis), the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider (H. cerberea), the Blue Mountains funnel-web spider (H. versuta), the Darling Downs funnel-web spider (H. infensa), and the Port Macquarie funnel-web spider (H. macquariensis). Examination of bite records has shown that wandering males are responsible for most, if not all, fatal Australian funnel-web spider bites to humans.
The male of Atrax robustus, commonly known as the Sydney funnel-web spider, is probably responsible for most of the thirteen recorded deaths and many medically serious bites. This spider has become a part of Sydney's folklore, and although no deaths have been recorded since the introduction of an antivenom in 1981, it remains a notorious species. The Sydney funnel-web spider's bite is capable of causing serious illness or death in humans if left untreated. The male's venom contains a unique component called Robustoxin (δ-Atracotoxin-Ar1), which severely affects the nervous systems of humans and monkeys, but not other mammals.
The Australian funnel-web spiders are native to Australia and are found in moist forest regions along the east coast and highlands of Australia, from Tasmania to North Queensland. They are also found in the drier open forests of the Western Slopes of the Great Dividing Range and South Australia's Gulf region. They are commonly found in suburban rockeries and shrubberies, rarely in lawns or other open terrain. They are attracted to water and are often found in swimming pools. They can survive immersion in water for several hours and can deliver a bite when removed from the water.
Funnel-web spiders get their name from the funnel-shaped burrows they spin to trap prey. They are medium to large spiders, varying from 1 cm to 5 cm in body length, with one exceptional specimen reaching 8 cm. They are darkly coloured, ranging from blue-black to black, to shades of brown or dark plum. The hard carapace covering the front part of the body is sparsely haired and glossy. They have ample venom glands that lie entirely within their chelicerae. Their fangs are large and powerful, capable of penetrating fingernails and soft shoes.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian funnel-web spider is a medium to large spider, with body lengths ranging from 1 to 5 cm (0.39 to 1.97 in), with one exceptional specimen reaching 8 cm (3.1 in).
The Sydney funnel-web spider, a species of the Australian funnel-web spider, has a body length ranging from 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 in).
Yes, the 'Big Boy' species of the Australian funnel-web spider, also known as the Newcastle funnel-web spider, can grow up to 9 cm (3.5 inches) long.
