Sydney Funnel-Web (Atrax robustus)

The Sydney funnel-web spider is a mygalomorph species indigenous to the eastern part of Australia. Medium or large in size, their poison can be severely harmful to humans.

Physical Description and Identification

Adults

Size:  The females are 1.37 inches (35 mm) long while the males are lightly built and a little smaller, having a body length of 0.98 inches (25 mm).

Color: Both sexes have a dark and glossy body that may be of a bluish-black, brown, black, or deep plum.

Other Characteristic Features: They are also characterized by a hard carapace in the front part of their body which is mostly hairless with a glossy texture. The short yet defined spinnerets (silk-spinning organ) are located at the lower end of their abdomen. Being nocturnal, they are more likely to be seen at night during the warmer seasons, when the males wander around looking for the females of their species to mate.

Eggs

There are around a hundred eggs in a single egg sac, mostly round or oval in shape.

Spiderlings

The small-sized spiderlings mostly hatch during spring and disperse in a short while.

Does the Sydney Funnel-Web Spider Bite

Of the 35 funnel-web species available, this is said to be the most dangerous one. They may resort to biting with their large venomous fangs when threatened. THeir venom is highly toxic venom as it contains a chemical named robustoxin that causes fatal damage to the nervous system of humans as well as monkeys, though all other mammals remain unaffected by it. The males are reported to be responsible for more biting incidents as the females mostly remain in their web, and their bites are reported to be much less harmful.

While attacking, these spiders have a firm and strong hold on their victim going on to bite at repeated intervals. Their bites are extremely painful leaving marks of the two fangs separated by a few millimeters. Sometimes the spider remains attached on the body and has to be thrown away.

How Quick Can the Sydney Funnel Spider Bite Kill

A total of 13 deaths have been recorded till date due to male Sidney funnel-web bites. In fact, one report highlighted the death of a child within 15 minutes of the attack.

Some of the common symptoms one may encounter include immense pain, nausea, increased sweating, immense coughing and breathing troubles. An anti-venom was developed in Melbourne, in 1981, by Australian researcher Struan Sutherland, after which no fatalities from this spider’s bite have been recorded.

Quick Facts

Lifespan	Males: Till the age of 4 Females: Till the age of 20
Distribution	Mostly found in the eastern part of Australia, though the species have also been traced in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales.
Habitat	Males: Can be found in gardens, backyards, houses, garages or even inside swimming pools Females:  Mostly spend time in their burrows made in moist and cool places like holes within the rough-barked trees and rocks
Common Predators	Centipedes, birds, reptiles, small mammals
Diet	Lizards, beetles, snails, cockroaches and other spider species.

Did You Know

• They have an exceptional ability to remain alive after falling into a swimming pool by trapping the air bubbles in the hairs surrounding their abdomen.
• The Guinness World Records rank the Sydney funnel-web spider as the most toxic species when it comes to their effect on humans.
• These spiders are way more harmful than the Australian tarantulas as the latter has big fangs causing harmful bites but does not lead to any fatalities.

Image Credits: Reptilepark.com.au, Australiangeographic.com.au, Minibeastwildlife.com.au, D3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net,
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