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Funnel-Web Spider Risk Factors

Funnel-web spiders, with over 500 species found globally, are characterized by the funnel-shaped webs they spin to lure-in and catch prey. Found in North America and Australia, funnel-web spiders are feared by gardeners and campers alike, as their bites are extremely painful and can cause a long list of side effects. Their venom is especially dangerous, and can be life-threatening, to children.

  1. Geographic Range

    • Unlike most spiders, funnel-web spiders prefer non-tropical climates. Over 300 species of funnel-web spiders can be found in North America. The most-feared of all funnel-web spiders is the Sydney Funnel-web Spider. This species of funnel-web is found in the eastern coast of Australia, in the Australian states of Victoria and South Wales. Funnel-web spiders are grass-dwellers and prefer to build their webs in temperate grassland areas. Campers and hikers should be weary when active in grassy fields.

    Desciption

    • Funnel-web spiders are typically shiny and black, with an oval-shaped abdomen covered in little red hairs. They have long and slender legs and sometimes their abdomens are deep purple or brown. Females grow to be 6 to 7 centimeters in length and males grow to be 4 to 6 centimeters in length. Male and female funnel-web spiders are roughly the same shape, but females have a much larger abdomen than male funnel-web spiders.

    Bites

    • Both male and female funnel-web spiders are very poisonous, but male funnel-web spiders are responsible for most bites, unfortunately, as its venom is more poisonous than that of female funnel-web spiders. Both male and female venom causes any number of a broad range of symptoms. The bite itself is very painful, accompanied by shooting pains at the point of contact. Also, within 10 to 15 minutes of being bitten, one may experience tingling or numbness in her lips, along with vomiting, airway obstruction, muscle spasms, unconsciousness, twitching and sweating. Although anti-venoms exist, immediate medical attention is necessary if bitten by a funnel-web spider.

    Medical Care

    • As soon as you believe you have been bitten by a funnel-web spider, seek professional medical care. Until you can reach the nearest clinic or hospital, apply pressure to the spider bite (as for a snakebite) and keep the body part as immobile as possible. At the clinic, an anti-venom will be administered and a bandage will be used to cover the wound. Funnel-web spider bites are very dangerous and should not be taken lightly, especially when a child is bitten because of greater venom load per kilogram of body mass.

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