Funnel-web
spider
Victorian
Funnel-web specimen
Australian funnel webs are restricted to the south-east of the continent, and mainly in coastal areas. There are at least 40 different species, and not all are dangerous, unlike the notorious Sydney Funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus).
Some
Funnel-web's venom can have a severe effect on primates (like
humans, apes and monkeys). However it has little effect on other
mammals like cats, dogs or kangaroos. Thirteen deaths have been
recorded from Sydney Funnel-web bites in Australia. Male Funnel-web
spiders are about five times more venomous than females, so
are probably responsible for these fatalities.
Female
Funnel-webs take 3-4 years to mature and may live as long as
20 years. Males mature in 2-3 years and wander about looking
for a mate for 6-9 months before they die. Male Funnel-webs
are also more active in summer than winter.
Despite
rearing up in an impressive threat pose, Funnel-webs can't jump.
Unlike some spiders they cannot swim either, but can stay alive
in pools for many hours supported by air bubbles trapped amongst
their body hairs (eventually they sink and drown).
Victorian Funnel-web spider
The
only Funnel-web spider found near Melbourne is the Victorian
Funnel-web (Hadronyche modesta), which can be found
in the Dandenong Ranges. It is not aggressive or dangerous,
however you may get a headache and feel sick if bitten.
Visit
the Victorian Spiders database for more details.
|
