Northern Tree Funnel-web indigenous to different parts of Australia belongs to the order of mygalomorph spiders possessing an immensely high venom level, that makes them one of the deadliest spiders of the world. Included in the Hadronyche genus, this along with the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web, Blue Mountains funnel-web as well as 12 other spider species from the Victoria and New South Wales is classified under the cerberea group.
Size: Being the largest member of the Atracidae family, they are 1.57 to 1.96 inches (40 to 50 mm) long.
Color: These spiders have an overall brown body, with a glossy black carapace. Their abdomen, legs, and chelicerae are dark brown. They even possess a purplish or plum tinge on their abdomen’s dorsolateral surface.
Other Characteristic Features: The males and females have a thinner and longer carapace than the other members of their genus. They have a lot of similarities with the Darling Downs funnel-web, another species of this genus. However, the male Northern tree funnel-web possesses a knobby spur on the shinbone or tibia of their second leg pair.
Like most other species belonging to the Australian funnel-web family, they too have round or oval-shaped eggs enclosed in a pillow-shaped sac.
The spiderlings eventually go on their own once they attain maturation.
As their name suggests, and like most other spiders of their family, they too build funnel-shaped webs, serving as burrows to trap the prey.
When confronted, the males and females, who are unable to jump to save themselves, do not delay in attacking the enemy with their venom-filled fangs. The venom of these spiders is known to be potentially dangerous and life-threatening to humans. Their bites have caused envenomation symptoms in five of the eight recorded cases, mostly occurring in 15 – 20 minutes of their sting. Localized pain, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting are a few of the common symptoms of their bite. The antivenom used for treating the bite of the Sydney funnel-web is applicable for this one too.
| Other Names | Northern Rivers Funnel-web, Northern Funnel-web |
| Distribution | Eastern parts of Australia, ranging from the Southeast Queensland to New South Wales’ Hunter River |
| Habitat | Logs, branches, hollow furrows, and pipes of trees |
| Predators | Small mammals, reptiles, and birds |
| Diet | Tree frogs, geckoes and a host of small insects |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 months |
Image Source: Live.staticflickr.com, Alchetron.com
Northern Tree Funnel-web indigenous to different parts of Australia belongs to the order of mygalomorph spiders possessing an immensely high venom level, that makes them one of the deadliest spiders of the world. Included in the Hadronyche genus, this along with the southern tree-dwelling funnel-web, Blue Mountains funnel-web as well as 12 other spider species from the Victoria and New South Wales is classified under the cerberea group.
Size: Being the largest member of the Atracidae family, they are 1.57 to 1.96 inches (40 to 50 mm) long.
Color: These spiders have an overall brown body, with a glossy black carapace. Their abdomen, legs, and chelicerae are dark brown. They even possess a purplish or plum tinge on their abdomen’s dorsolateral surface.
Other Characteristic Features: The males and females have a thinner and longer carapace than the other members of their genus. They have a lot of similarities with the Darling Downs funnel-web, another species of this genus. However, the male Northern tree funnel-web possesses a knobby spur on the shinbone or tibia of their second leg pair.
Like most other species belonging to the Australian funnel-web family, they too have round or oval-shaped eggs enclosed in a pillow-shaped sac.
The spiderlings eventually go on their own once they attain maturation.
As their name suggests, and like most other spiders of their family, they too build funnel-shaped webs, serving as burrows to trap the prey.
When confronted, the males and females, who are unable to jump to save themselves, do not delay in attacking the enemy with their venom-filled fangs. The venom of these spiders is known to be potentially dangerous and life-threatening to humans. Their bites have caused envenomation symptoms in five of the eight recorded cases, mostly occurring in 15 – 20 minutes of their sting. Localized pain, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting are a few of the common symptoms of their bite. The antivenom used for treating the bite of the Sydney funnel-web is applicable for this one too.
| Other Names | Northern Rivers Funnel-web, Northern Funnel-web |
| Distribution | Eastern parts of Australia, ranging from the Southeast Queensland to New South Wales’ Hunter River |
| Habitat | Logs, branches, hollow furrows, and pipes of trees |
| Predators | Small mammals, reptiles, and birds |
| Diet | Tree frogs, geckoes and a host of small insects |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 months |
Image Source: Live.staticflickr.com, Alchetron.com
