The Funnel web spider

Funnel web spider is the most venomous spider we have here in Australia, there are close to 40 odd different species, not to many Australians are aware just how wide spread they really are, I am aware there is a certain species of Funnel web in Queensland where I live, not all Funnel webs are venomous as for the males.

I have many spiders and snakes preserved in Formaldehyde some positively identified some not and of course none of them were dispatched just to be thrown in a Formaldehyde solution. I will have to drag the spider I have out of its solution one day, photograph it and put an image here on this hub for identification by those a bit more clued up on the subject, I suspect it to be a Queensland Funnel web.

The Funnel web prefers a moist habitat where the spider lays out a series of "trip lines" to alert it of any prey item that may be ensnared, the small "trip lines" act as a sort of telegraph communicating back to the spider of a potential meal, the venom is very toxic and fast acting on pretty much any organism.

Deaths have occurred in Australia from Funnel web spiders but not for some time now after the development of anti venom whom Dr Strann I think had a lot to do with if i remember rightly in some of the books i have here he published way back.

Ok....... As Jewels mentioned "I thought only Sydney Funnel webs were venomous" actually pretty much all spiders are venomous some just lack the toxicity, fang length, like that old wives tale i am sure we have all heard before "Daddy long legs is the most venomous spider in the world" that is complete rubbish, this claim reminds me of another infamous old wives tale "Carpet pythons are interbreeding with Taipans here in Queensland" once again biologically, genetically impossible complete garbage.

The Funnel webs fangs are extremely strong and i have heard can actually pierce a human fingernail envenomation occurs when the spider actually drives its fangs in using a downwards force, also it is a myth these spiders can actually jump, the rearing up on the hind legs i suppose gave birth to that myth and has been mistaken for "rearing up" this is the defensive position, also preparing to strike stance.