How Common Are Funnel Web Spiders in Sydney?
WouterIf you live in Sydney, you may wonder how common are funnel web spiders in the area. While it’s not uncommon to see funnel-web spiders in bushland, it’s not a common house guest.
The funnel-web spider is one of the most poisonous spiders in the world. It can kill a human in less than an hour. They’re also known for their aggressive behavior, which varies among species.
Male funnel-web spiders are five to six times more poisonous than females. In fact, their venom is so potent that it can be used to make antivenom.
These spiders are typically found in the western areas of Australia. However, they can be found in other parts of the country, including Victoria and South Australia.
Most funnel web spiders are solitary animals. During the summer months, males roam around searching for females. Once they locate their mates, they mate. After mating, the female stays inside a burrow. She then lays eggs. Eventually, the young spiders grow large enough to escape.
When threatened, the spider rears up on its hind legs. Their front legs have a row of teeth along the fang groove. This makes the spiders easy to identify.
There are 40 species of funnel-web spiders in the world. Among these are the Sydney Funnel-web Spider and the Southern Tree Funnel-web Spider.
The Southern Tree Funnel-web Spider is found in eastern New South Wales. It’s the largest of the funnel-web spiders, reaching four centimeters or more in body length.
