Hadronyche spiders are a genus of spiders belonging to the Australian funnel-web spider family. As per recent cataloging in May 2019, there are 31 species currently present in this genus.
Size: 1-5 cm (0.4-2 in)
Color: Most species of this genus are either black or brown.
Other Characteristic Features: Their carapaces are glossy, with little hair on them.
Females lay their eggs in a burrow. They take a few weeks to hatch.
Soon after hatching, spiderlings begin to leave their original burrow to build their own nests. After 5-7 years, those who survive become sexually mature and start mating.
They use their webbing to build tripwires outside their hollows, which alerts them to prey.
The venom of these spiders is potentially deadly to humans resulting in illness, severe injury, or even death in case of severity. Hence, antivenoms developed in 1980, following which there have been no records of human fatalities from their bites.
Lifespan | Up to 20 years |
Distribution | Australia |
Habitat | Rotting trees and rock crevices |
Common Predators | Birds, marsupials, rats, reptiles |
Diet | Insect larvae and wood-eating beetles |
Image Source: fayerwayer.com
Hadronyche spiders are a genus of spiders belonging to the Australian funnel-web spider family. As per recent cataloging in May 2019, there are 31 species currently present in this genus.
Size: 1-5 cm (0.4-2 in)
Color: Most species of this genus are either black or brown.
Other Characteristic Features: Their carapaces are glossy, with little hair on them.
Females lay their eggs in a burrow. They take a few weeks to hatch.
Soon after hatching, spiderlings begin to leave their original burrow to build their own nests. After 5-7 years, those who survive become sexually mature and start mating.
They use their webbing to build tripwires outside their hollows, which alerts them to prey.
The venom of these spiders is potentially deadly to humans resulting in illness, severe injury, or even death in case of severity. Hence, antivenoms developed in 1980, following which there have been no records of human fatalities from their bites.
Lifespan | Up to 20 years |
Distribution | Australia |
Habitat | Rotting trees and rock crevices |
Common Predators | Birds, marsupials, rats, reptiles |
Diet | Insect larvae and wood-eating beetles |
Image Source: fayerwayer.com