Sydney funnel-web

 

With highly toxic venom produced in large amounts and large fangs to inject it, the Sydney funnel-web is without a doubt the deadliest spider in Australia, and possibly in the entire world. It is commonly found in the forests and even populated areas of NSW. 

 

Funnel webs burrow in humid sheltered places and sometimes fall into swimming pools. Though they're not often encountered, they can be quite aggressive when threatened.

 

Though just 1.5-3.5cm big, the Sydney Funnel-web has fangs larger than a brown snake's and so powerful that they can even pierce through nails and toenails. Their venomous attack can target the nervous system and alter the functioning of all organs and, when coming from a male, can even kill. 

 

Redback spider

 

Redbacks are found throughout Australia. They often hide in dry, sheltered places. Most serious bites are from the female redback spiders, which are about 1cm long. They are bigger than males and are recognisable by the well-known red stripe on their back. Like the funnel webs, their venom affects the nervous system. However, their small fangs make many of the bites ineffective. If bitten severely, it can cause persistent pain which can last hours to days, and trigger symptoms like nausea, malaise and lethargy.

 

Mouse spider

 

There are eight species of mouse spiders found all across Australia. They're typically found near rivers or waterways, and can occasionally be seen in suburban areas too. Their venom is similar to the funnel-web spiders, although no deaths have been attributed to them.

 

Mouse spiders are lethargic and rarely aggressive. The females generally stay in their burrows, while the males wander looking for them. They can be seen in late summer to early winter. Mouse spiders are often active during the daytime, while other species from the same family prefer to come out at night to avoid the heat and the diurnal predators.

 

Trap door spiders

 

These spiders have a habit of camouflaging the entrance of their burrow to trick their prey into falling inside. They grow upto about 1.5 to 3cm. Females are distinctively larger than males but they tend to be more aggressive when threatened.

 

Trap door spiders cause only minor symptoms for humans, generally inflicting only localised pain. These spiders are often mistaken for funnel-web spiders, since the early effects of their bites are similar.

 

So these were some of the most dangerous spiders found in Australia. Stay tuned to our blog space to discover more enthralling facts about different kinds of pests.