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Funnel-web spider

Funnel-web spiders are medium- to large-sized mygalomorph arachnids belonging to the family Atracidae, endemic to eastern Australia and comprising approximately 38 described species across three genera: Atrax, Hadronyche, and Illawarra. These spiders are characterized by their glossy, sparsely haired bodies ranging from dark brown to black, with body lengths of 1–5 cm, prominent finger-like spinnerets, and, in males, a spur on the second pair of legs used for mating. They are renowned for constructing funnel-shaped silk retreats in burrows or tree hollows, which serve as both habitats and traps for prey such as insects, frogs, and small vertebrates. While generally reclusive and nocturnal, funnel-web spiders can be defensively aggressive when threatened, rearing up to display their fangs and releasing venom, a behavior that has contributed to their notoriety as among the world's most venomous spiders.^[1]^[2]^[3] The family Atracidae is distributed primarily along Australia's eastern seaboard, from Tasmania in the south to northern Queensland, favoring humid, sheltered habitats such as moist forests, woodlands, and rocky slopes, though some species like tree-dwelling Hadronyche adapt to arboreal environments. Species in the genus Atrax, including the iconic Sydney funnel-web spider (A. robustus), are confined to New South Wales, while Hadronyche species are more widespread and diverse, extending into subtropical regions. Recent taxonomic revisions as of 2025 have clarified that the Sydney funnel-web represents a species complex, including A. robustus, the revalidated A. montanus, and the newly described A. christenseni, highlighting morphological and genetic distinctions that may influence venom composition and antivenom efficacy. These spiders typically live 4–6 years, reaching maturity after several years, with males leaving their burrows during the summer breeding season to search for females, increasing encounters with humans in urban fringes.^[1]^[4]^[3] Funnel-web spider venom is a complex cocktail of peptides and proteins, particularly δ-hexatoxins that target voltage-gated sodium channels, causing severe neurotoxic effects such as autonomic overstimulation, hypertension, pulmonary edema, and potentially fatal respiratory failure in humans—effects more pronounced in male venoms due to higher toxin concentrations. Prior to the introduction of funnel-web antivenom in 1981 by the Australian Reptile Park, 13 deaths were recorded in Australia, all attributed to A. robustus bites, with up to 30–40 incidents annually requiring medical attention. Today, no fatalities have occurred post-antivenom, thanks to effective first-aid protocols like pressure immobilization bandaging and rapid antivenom administration, underscoring the species' medical significance despite their low aggression toward humans under normal conditions. Ongoing research into venom variation across species supports conservation efforts and potential pharmaceutical applications, as these spiders play key roles in controlling invertebrate populations in their ecosystems.^[2]^[5]^[1]

Taxonomy and classification

Etymology and naming

The common name "funnel-web spider" derives from the distinctive web architecture of these arachnids, which features a horizontal sheet of silk for prey capture connected to a tubular retreat that resembles a funnel, providing the spider with a secure hiding place.^[6] This nomenclature specifically applies to members of the family Atracidae, distinguishing them from other spider groups with similar but less pronounced web forms.^[1] The genus Atrax was established in 1877 by British arachnologist Octavius Pickard-Cambridge, who described the type species Atrax robustus based on a female specimen from New South Wales, Australia; the specific epithet "robustus" comes from the Latin for "strong" or "sturdy," reflecting the spider's robust build.^[7] In 1897, Australian entomologist William Joseph Rainbow described the male of this species under the invalid name Euctimena tibialis, which was later synonymized with A. robustus, contributing to early taxonomic confusion.^[4] Common names evolved to include regional identifiers, such as "Sydney funnel-web spider" for A. robustus, to differentiate it from other congeners and highlight its association with the Sydney region.^[2] Australian funnel-web spiders belong to three primary genera: Atrax, which includes five recognized species primarily distributed in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (e.g., A. robustus, A. christenseni, A. montanus, A. sutherlandi, and A. yorkmainorum), the more diverse Hadronyche, with approximately 33 species across eastern Australia (e.g., H. formidabilis, the northern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider, and H. cerberea), and the monotypic Illawarra.^[1] The genus Hadronyche was first described in 1873 by Ludwig Carl Christian Koch. These genera encompass both ground-dwelling and tree-dwelling species within the mygalomorph lineage.^[6]

Species and genera

The funnel-web spiders are classified within the family Atracidae. Although a 2018 phylogenomic study suggested inclusion as the subfamily Atracinae within Hexathelidae, current taxonomy recognizes Atracidae as a distinct family.^[1]^[8]^[9] As of June 2025, the family Atracidae comprises 39 described species across three genera. The group is part of the broader mygalomorph infraorder, sharing primitive traits with other basal spider families such as those containing trapdoor spiders (e.g., Idiopidae).^[8] Atracidae comprises three genera: Atrax, Hadronyche, and Illawarra. The genus Atrax includes five recognized species: A. robustus (Sydney funnel-web spider), A. christenseni (Newcastle funnel-web spider), A. montanus (Blue Mountains funnel-web spider), A. sutherlandi (Southern Sydney funnel-web spider), and A. yorkmainorum (Canberra funnel-web spider).^[4]^[10] The genus Hadronyche, the most speciose, contains approximately 33 species distributed across eastern and southeastern Australia, with representative examples including H. cerberea (southern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider), H. formidabilis (northern tree-dwelling funnel-web spider), H. modesta (Victorian funnel-web spider), and H. versuta (Blue Mountains funnel-web spider).^[1]^[11] The monotypic genus Illawarra consists solely of I. wisharti (Illawarra funnel-web spider), endemic to coastal forests in New South Wales.^[1] Molecular phylogenetic studies have confirmed the monophyly of Atracidae, with strong support from multi-gene and phylogenomic datasets placing it as a cohesive clade.^[8] Divergence time estimates indicate that the split between Atrax and Hadronyche occurred in the Late Cretaceous around 72 million years ago, while major diversification within the family began in the Oligocene approximately 30 million years ago, aligning with geological shifts in Australian landscapes.^[4] These analyses highlight Atracidae's close evolutionary ties to other mygalomorph groups, including Actinopodidae (mouse spiders), rather than araneomorph spiders.^[8]

Physical characteristics

Morphology and size

Funnel-web spiders belong to the mygalomorph group, featuring a robust body structure with downward-projecting chelicerae that bear large, parallel fangs for subduing prey and injecting venom.^[12] These chelicerae are particularly prominent, often held in a defensive posture. The cephalothorax is covered by a shiny, sparsely haired carapace with a deeply curved fovea (groove) and no obvious patterns. They have eight small eyes arranged in two closely grouped rows at the front of the carapace, providing limited vision typical of mygalomorphs. The abdomen is smooth and rounded, terminating in four spinnerets—the lateral pair longer and more visible in genera like Atrax, facilitating silk production for burrows and webs. Body size varies among the approximately 38 species in the family Atracidae, with most being medium to large spiders. Body length typically ranges from 1 cm to 5 cm, though the largest species, such as the northern tree funnel-web (Hadronyche formidabilis), can reach 4–5 cm. Leg spans extend up to 9.5 cm, as seen in Atrax christenseni described in 2025, allowing for agile movement in their habitats.^[1]^[13]^[14] Sexual dimorphism is pronounced, with males generally more slender and lightly built than females to facilitate wandering in search of mates. Males have a body length of 1–5 cm and proportionally longer legs, along with bulbous pedipalps modified into spoon-like structures for sperm transfer during mating. Females are stockier, with a body length of 2–5 cm and a larger, more bulbous abdomen adapted for egg production and storage. Males also possess a distinctive mating spur or spines on the second pair of legs, absent in females.^[1]^[2] Coloration is predominantly glossy black to dark brown, giving the spiders a sleek appearance that aids in camouflage within soil and leaf litter. The carapace and legs may exhibit subtle iridescent glints of purple or blue in some individuals, but the overall tone is uniform without bold patterns.^[1]^[2]

Web construction

Funnel-web spiders of the family Atracidae, across genera Atrax, Hadronyche, and Illawarra, construct funnel-shaped webs characterized by a horizontal sheet of silk that funnels into a tubular retreat, serving as an ambush site for prey capture. This web architecture is built using silk extruded from multiple spinnerets—typically four in these mygalomorph spiders—each connected to specialized silk glands that produce different types of silk for lining, framing, and trip lines.^[15] The silk sheet is not a sticky orb web but a irregular, trip-line reinforced platform that detects vibrations from passing insects, amphibians, or small vertebrates. The construction process involves the spider first excavating or selecting a moist burrow in soil, under rocks, or in tree hollows, then lining it with silk to form a retreat tube, often 10-30 cm deep for ground species. From the burrow entrance, the spider extends radiating trip lines across the surrounding substrate, creating a sensory network that alerts it to disturbances; these lines are laid by the spider walking outward while spinning silk, forming a loose sheet over the area.^[1] The funnel entrance itself is a silk tube where the spider positions itself, forelegs extended to feel vibrations, ready to rush out and seize prey entering the web. Web variations reflect habitat adaptations between genera. Ground-dwelling Atrax species, such as A. robustus, build burrows in humid soil with a pronounced silk-lined funnel entrance and radiating trip lines on the ground surface for terrestrial hunting. In contrast, arboreal Hadronyche species like H. formidabilis construct similar funnel retreats in tree bark crevices or rot holes, adapting the sheet and tube to vertical surfaces while maintaining trip lines to detect arboreal prey.^[1] These webs are functionally adapted for vibration detection, enabling precise ambush predation by signaling prey movements through the silk's tensile properties. The enclosed retreat also shields the spider from predators, extreme temperatures, and desiccation, preserving the moist microhabitat essential for their survival in eastern Australia's forests.^[1]

Habitat and distribution

Geographic range

Funnel-web spiders, belonging to the family Atracidae, are entirely endemic to Australia, with no established populations outside the continent.^[6] All approximately 38 described species are native to the eastern and southeastern regions, showing no evidence of introduction or naturalization elsewhere.^[1] The genus Atrax, comprising three species, is restricted to southeastern Australia, with Atrax robustus (the Sydney funnel-web spider) primarily distributed within a 160 km radius of Sydney, extending from the Central Coast southward to the Georges River and westward to areas like Baulkham Hills.^[16]^[2] The genus Illawarra, with one species (I. wisharti), is restricted to the Illawarra region south of Sydney in New South Wales.^[1] In contrast, the more speciose genus Hadronyche has a broader range along Australia's eastern seaboard, from southeastern Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, and into eastern Tasmania, with some species reaching parts of South Australia.^[17] Urban development since the 1980s has facilitated the expansion of A. robustus into suburban environments around Sydney, where habitat modifications such as garden rockeries and retaining walls have potentially increased local abundances in moist, sheltered sites.^[18] For instance, Hadronyche versuta (Blue Mountains funnel-web spider) is localized to higher elevations in the Blue Mountains region west of Sydney, though it occasionally appears in adjacent disturbed areas.^[1]

Environmental preferences

Funnel-web spiders of the family Atracidae inhabit primarily humid, forested environments across eastern Australia, favoring areas with loose, moist soil or rough tree bark that facilitate burrowing and retreat construction. These spiders are adapted to cool, sheltered microclimates within open and closed sclerophyll forests, woodlands, and shaded gullies, where consistent moisture supports their physiology. They largely avoid arid zones, as dry conditions lead to dehydration and reduced survival rates.^[1] Microhabitats vary by genus and species; ground-dwelling forms, such as many Hadronyche species, excavate silk-lined burrows beneath logs, rocks, or in soil crevices in damp leaf litter. Atrax species, including A. robustus, often select similar ground retreats but also utilize tree crevices, rot holes, and rough bark for protection in forested settings. These spiders demonstrate notable tolerance for urban environments, persisting in moist suburban gardens, rockeries, and dense shrubberies near human habitation, provided humidity levels remain adequate.^[2]^[1] Climate plays a critical role in their distribution and activity, with funnel-web spiders thriving in subtropical to temperate zones characterized by high humidity and moderate temperatures. They exhibit peak activity during warmer, humid summer months (November to April), when males venture out for mating, while retreating deeper into burrows during dry or cooler periods. Seasonal flooding can prompt increased dispersal and burrow relocation, whereas prolonged droughts heighten vulnerability to desiccation, limiting their range to moisture-retaining ecosystems.^[1] In these habitats, funnel-web spiders coexist with diverse soil and leaf litter invertebrates, including insects that form a key part of their diet, contributing to local arthropod community dynamics. Phoretic mites have been observed on some Hadronyche species, using the spiders for dispersal without apparent harm.^[1]

Behavior and life cycle

Daily activities and hunting

Funnel-web spiders exhibit a predominantly nocturnal activity cycle, retreating to their silk-lined burrows during the day to maintain humidity and avoid exposure to sunlight and predators.^[1] Activity peaks at night, particularly in moist conditions following rain, when they emerge briefly to forage or perform maintenance tasks such as burrow cleaning at dawn.^[19] While females typically remain stationed near their burrow entrances year-round, males increase their wandering activity during the warmer months, often covering greater distances outside the burrow.^[2] As ambush predators, funnel-web spiders employ a sit-and-wait strategy centered around their burrow or funnel-shaped web, positioning themselves just inside the entrance with their front legs extended onto radiating silk trip-lines that extend outward like a detection network.^[1] When potential prey disturbs these lines, the resulting vibrations prompt the spider to rapidly charge out and seize the intruder with its fangs, injecting paralytic enzymes to subdue it before dragging the meal back into the burrow for consumption.^[19] Although primarily ambush-oriented, some species, including tree-dwelling variants, may engage in limited active foraging at night when burrows are flooded or hunger drives them farther afield.^[1] Their diet consists mainly of ground-dwelling insects such as beetles, cockroaches, crickets, ants, and millipedes, supplemented occasionally by small vertebrates like skinks, frogs, or earthworms that venture near the burrow.^[19] Prey is typically captured and liquefied through enzymatic digestion within the burrow, allowing efficient nutrient extraction over several hours.^[2] Funnel-web spiders possess poor eyesight and rely heavily on tactile sensory adaptations for hunting success, with specialized leg hairs known as trichobothria serving as vibration detectors that sense subtle air currents and mechanical disturbances transmitted through the silk trip-lines.^[20] These mechanoreceptors, distributed across the legs and body, enable precise localization of prey by amplifying faint signals from the web's extension, compensating for visual limitations in their dark, humid habitats.^[1]

Reproduction and development

Funnel-web spiders exhibit sexual dimorphism in reproductive behavior, with mature males actively seeking out females during the warmer months of summer and autumn. Males produce sperm on a small silk web and store it in their pedipalps before departing their burrows to locate receptive females, guided by pheromones in the female's silk triplines. Upon arrival at a female's web or burrow, the male signals his presence by tapping or drumming on the silk with his legs and pedipalps, producing seismic vibrations to assess receptivity.^[1]^[19]^[21] If the female responds positively, the male enters her retreat and performs a courtship dance characterized by quivering of the legs, body vibrations, and displays of the pedipalps to maintain her quiescence. Copulation involves the male inserting his pedipalps into the female's genital opening for sperm transfer, often while holding her with specialized spurs on his second legs; this process typically lasts several seconds to minutes. Although sexual cannibalism by the female has been reported post-mating, detailed observations in controlled trials found no instances of it occurring.^[21]^[19] Following successful mating, the female constructs a spherical or pillow-shaped silk egg sac within her burrow, typically in late spring or summer, containing 100 to 200 eggs. She guards the sac vigilantly, turning and cleaning it periodically to protect against parasites and environmental threats. The eggs incubate for approximately three weeks before hatching into spiderlings that resemble miniature adults.^[19]^[22]^[23] The spiderlings remain communally in the maternal burrow for two to three months, fed indirectly by the female through prey captured in the web, before dispersing in late summer to construct their own burrows. In the wild, lifespans may be shorter due to predation and environmental factors. Development proceeds through multiple molts, with juveniles molting more frequently (monthly in early stages) as they grow, transitioning to annual molts in adulthood. Sexual maturity is reached after four to five years, with males maturing slightly earlier than females; post-maturity, males typically survive only one breeding season (six to nine months), while females live 2–10 years in captivity and can produce multiple clutches.^[19]^[24]^[19]

Venom and envenomation

Venom composition

The venom of funnel-web spiders, particularly species in the genera Atrax and Hadronyche, is dominated by neurotoxic peptides that primarily target voltage-gated sodium channels in the nervous system, delaying their inactivation and leading to prolonged neuronal excitation. Key components include the δ-hexatoxins (formerly δ-atracotoxins), such as δ-HXTX-Ar1a (also known as robustoxin), a 42-residue peptide isolated from the venom of the Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus). These peptides feature an inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motif, stabilized by three disulfide bonds, which confers resistance to proteolysis and enhances their specificity for insect and mammalian sodium channel subtypes.^[25]^[26]^[27] The potency of funnel-web venom ranks among the highest for spiders, with robustoxin exhibiting an LD50 of 0.16 mg/kg via subcutaneous injection in newborn mice, underscoring its exceptional lethality when introduced parenterally. This high toxicity reflects an evolutionary adaptation for rapidly immobilizing vertebrate prey, such as small mammals and frogs, through neuromuscular blockade, while maintaining low oral toxicity due to the peptide nature of the toxins, which are degraded in the digestive tract. Such adaptations enable efficient hunting in the spiders' terrestrial habitats, where envenomation occurs via fang injection rather than ingestion.^[18]^[25]^[28] Research on funnel-web venom composition began in the late 1970s, with the purification and sequencing of robustoxin achieved in 1983, marking a seminal advancement in arachnid toxinology. Subsequent proteomic and transcriptomic studies have identified over 40 distinct peptide toxin families, revealing a complex arsenal that includes not only δ-hexatoxins but also insecticidal α-hexatoxins and linear (non-disulfide) peptides, with the total venom proteome comprising thousands of components across species. These investigations, leveraging mass spectrometry and genomic approaches, highlight the venom's evolutionary diversification for prey capture and defense.^[27]^[28]^[25]

Bite effects and treatment

Bites from funnel-web spiders typically cause immediate local pain at the site, followed rapidly by systemic symptoms due to the neurotoxic venom. Within 10-15 minutes, victims often experience perioral tingling, numbness in the mouth and lips, excessive salivation, lacrimation, and diaphoresis, alongside nausea and vomiting. As envenomation progresses over the next 30-60 minutes, autonomic overstimulation leads to hypertension, tachycardia, and piloerection, while neurotoxic effects manifest as muscle fasciculations, generalized spasms, agitation, confusion, and potentially coma if untreated.^[6]^[29]^[30] Severe envenomations can result in pulmonary edema, metabolic acidosis, and cardiopulmonary arrest, with death possible within 15-60 minutes without intervention; historically, 13 fatalities occurred in Australia prior to 1981, including seven children. Bites are relatively rare, with fewer than 50 confirmed or suspected cases annually in Australia, though male spiders pose a higher risk due to their more aggressive defensive behavior and greater tendency to wander into human habitats during the mating season. Small children and individuals with comorbidities face elevated severity risks.^[31]^[6]^[32] First aid involves applying a firm pressure-immobilization bandage over the bite site and immobilizing the affected limb to slow venom spread, followed by immediate transport to a medical facility. Treatment centers on administration of CSL Funnel Web Spider Antivenom, a rabbit-derived IgG product effective against all Australian species, typically given intravenously at 2-4 vials (each containing 100 mg IgG) upon onset of systemic symptoms, with repeat doses as needed. Supportive measures include intravenous fluid resuscitation, cardiac monitoring, analgesics for pain, and intubation if respiratory failure occurs. Recent taxonomic revisions (as of 2025) indicate potential variations in venom composition within the Sydney funnel-web species complex, which may influence antivenom efficacy, though it remains effective against all known Australian Atracidae species to date.^[33]^[6]^[34]^[35] With prompt antivenom administration, prognosis is excellent, achieving near 100% survival and complete resolution of symptoms in 97% of severe cases, with no reported long-term sequelae in survivors; no deaths have occurred since 1981.^[31]^[6]^[29]

Human interactions and conservation

Medical and antivenom history

The first recorded human death from a funnel-web spider bite occurred on February 5, 1927, when a toddler in Sydney was bitten by a Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus), marking the beginning of documented fatalities from these arachnids.^[1] Between 1927 and 1981, a total of 13 deaths were attributed to funnel-web spider bites in Australia, primarily involving the Sydney funnel-web, with most victims being children or individuals bitten by males, whose venom is more potent.^[36] Urban expansion in eastern Australia during the mid-20th century increased human-spider encounters, contributing to the incidence of bites during this period, though exact numbers of non-fatal incidents remain sparsely documented.^[4] Efforts to address the threat began in the mid-20th century, with the Australian Reptile Park, established in 1958, initially focusing on snake venom production before expanding to spiders.^[37] By the 1970s, the park initiated a venom-milking program for funnel-web spiders to supply material for antivenom research, collecting spiders from the public and extracting venom through electrical stimulation of their fangs.^[29] This collaborative work with the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL) culminated in the development of the first funnel-web spider antivenom in 1980, using venom primarily from male A. robustus specimens, as their toxin profile—rich in δ-atracotoxins—proved most effective for immunization in rabbits.^[38] The antivenom was first administered clinically in 1981, and since then, no fatalities from funnel-web bites have been recorded in Australia.^[31] The antivenom exhibits cross-reactivity with venoms from related genera, including Hadronyche species (tree funnel-web spiders), neutralizing in vitro toxicity across multiple Australian funnel-web taxa due to shared δ-hexatoxin components.^[39] This broad efficacy has been confirmed in clinical reviews, where antivenom administration resolved envenomation symptoms in cases involving various funnel-web species without severe adverse reactions in most patients.^[31] Conservation efforts for funnel-web spiders center on the Australian Reptile Park's ongoing venom-milking program, which maintains a colony of over 2,000 spiders, supplemented by public donations and captive breeding to ensure a steady antivenom supply; the park is the sole producer in the world.^[29] The 2025 taxonomic revision splitting the Sydney funnel-web into three species may necessitate updated conservation assessments for each. As of 2025, the park reports fluctuating public donations, leading to expanded captive breeding to maintain antivenom production.^[40]^[35] Funnel-web spiders are not formally protected under national Australian legislation, but these programs indirectly aid conservation by reducing the need for wild harvesting and raising awareness of their ecological role.^[41] As of 2025, funnel-web populations in urban and fragmented habitats, particularly around Sydney, show signs of decline due to urbanization and habitat loss, though they remain present in less disturbed moist forest areas.^[4] Monitoring through museum records and research initiatives, such as those by the Australian Museum, continues to track distribution and abundance to mitigate potential declines.^[42]

Cultural significance and threats

The Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) has become a potent symbol of danger in Australian culture, embodying the nation's reputation for harboring some of the world's most venomous creatures. Often portrayed as an archetype of lethal wildlife, it features prominently in public awareness efforts and media representations that highlight Australia's unique biodiversity risks.^[1]^[43] In media, the spider has appeared in documentaries such as the 1992 Australian production Webs of Intrigue, which explored its biology and the research into its venom at scientific laboratories. It also recurs in video games, including the Ty the Tasmanian Tiger series, where oversized Sydney funnel-web spiders serve as antagonists, reinforcing their fearsome image in popular entertainment.^[44]^[45] Folklore surrounding the spider blends Indigenous traditions with modern urban myths. In D'harawal Dreaming stories from the Sydney region, spiders are depicted as clan leaders, such as the twins Mararan and Marareen, who represent weaving and leadership in ancestral narratives. Contemporary urban legends often exaggerate funnel-web incursions into homes, describing "plagues" or "invasions" during wet weather, fueling public anxiety about encounters in suburban areas.^[46]^[47]^[48] Funnel-web spiders face environmental threats primarily from human activities and climatic shifts. Urban expansion in Sydney has led to habitat fragmentation and loss, potentially endangering localized populations through development encroachment. While not officially endangered, recent observations indicate declining numbers in some areas, with researchers noting widespread reductions and local extinctions likely due to ongoing bushland destruction. Pesticide applications, though not directly studied for their impact on funnel-webs, may indirectly reduce prey availability by affecting insect populations in treated urban fringes.^[4]^[42]^[49] Mitigation efforts include public education campaigns by NSW Health, which since the 1980s antivenom era have promoted awareness of spider risks during summer, advising on safe outdoor activities and bite responses. The Australian Reptile Park complements these with annual donation drives to bolster antivenom production, encouraging safe capture rather than killing to support conservation. These initiatives have helped maintain overall populations without formal endangered status.^[50]^[51]^[52]

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Armed with such terrible weapons - The Dictionary of Sydney
An antivenom for redback spider bites was introduced in Australia in 1956. Between 1927 and 1981, 13 deaths from the Sydney funnel-web's bite occurred. In 1980 ...
[33]
Our History - Australian Reptile Park
The Australian Reptile Park as it is known today first opened in 1958 at Wyoming when naturalist Eric Worrell had the idea of combining snake venom production ...
[34]
Twentieth century toxinology and antivenom development in Australia
The funnel-web antivenom. The development of the funnel-web spider antivenom stretched over decades and involved many of the key players in 20th century ...
[35]
Cross-reactivity of Sydney funnel-web spider antivenom
Funnel-web spider antivenom (FWS AV) reverses clinical effects of envenomation from the bite of Atrax robustus and a small number of related Hadronyche species.
[36]
Park in Australia breeding highly venomous spiders to make anti ...
Oct 11, 2019 · A park in Australia is breeding highly venomous spiders to make anti venom for funnel-web bites. Australian Reptile Park said the spiders ...Missing: zoos | Show results with:zoos
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Variation in venom composition in the Australian funnel-web spiders ...
However, each species may have unique venom components simply due to genetic divergence over time. Without knowledge of the properties and function of each ...
[38]
Sydney's famous funnel-web spider splits into three!
Jan 13, 2025 · The venom of male Sydney Funnel-webs can kill an adult, and thirteen deaths have been attributed to this species between 1927 and the early ...
[39]
World's deadliest spider: the funnel-web - Australian Geographic
Feb 13, 2017 · One land-dwelling animal that has the history to back up those claims is the funnel-web spider – with venom that can kill a human in just 15 ...Missing: media | Show results with:media
[40]
Webs of Intrigue (1992)Share - Australian Screen
The Sydney funnel-web is the deadliest spider in the world. We see one capture a passing beetle, then see scientists researching the spiders in the lab.
[41]
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger (Video Game) - TV Tropes
TY the Tasmanian Tiger is an Aussie-made video game series by Krome Studios ... Spiders Are Scary: The games feature giant Sydney funnel-web spiders ...
[42]
[PDF] Mararan and Marareen - D'harawal dreaming stories
Mararan and Marareen are twin leaders of the Spider clan. Mararan is large and fat, while Marareen is slender and golden, and a skilled weaver.
[43]
Warning over deadly funnel-web spider invasion after heavy rain
Mar 24, 2021 · Residents of Greater Sydney are being warned of a 'plague' of funnel web spiders heading into homes and looking to mate.
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Warning issued over deadly funnel-web spider invasion | 7NEWS
Jan 22, 2020 · There's been such an increase in sightings across Sydney the Australian Reptile Park is calling it a “funnel-web bonanza”. Watch the full report ...
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Sydney labs breeding their own funnel web spiders amid shortage
Jan 24, 2023 · But Meney says as Sydney's human population continues to grow, habitat destruction is hitting funnel web spider populations. “That is a real ...Missing: loss | Show results with:loss
[46]
Be ready for snakes and spiders! - NSW Health
Sep 27, 2018 · With the start of school holidays, NSW Health is reminding people to be careful of snakes and spiders while outdoors and to pack a First Aid ...Missing: education | Show results with:education
[47]
Summer safety: Funnel-web spiders - Facebook
Jan 7, 2025 · 🕷️ The Sydney funnel-web is one of the deadliest spiders in the world. It can give a life-threatening bite if it feels scared. This summer, ...
[48]
'Learn how to safely catch funnel-webs': Sydneysiders tasked with ...
Nov 14, 2024 · Baby spiders collected from egg sacs via Australian Reptile Park's yearly callout are vital to creating lifesaving antivenom.