Funnel Web Spider

The Funnel-web spiders (Atrax Robustus) are one of the most dangerous spiders in the world and causes severe envenoming in eastern and southern Australia. The venom from a funnel web spider can kill a human within 15 minutes. Unfortunately Atrax robustus is a very aggressive spider.

If approached by anything it will take up an attack position with its front legs raised. The fangs from a funnel web spider has been known to be able to pierce fingernails.

The funnel web spiders comprise about 40 species in two genera (Atrax and Hadronyche). The most famous species is Atrax robustus. The length of an average A. robustus is 2-4 cm. The carapace covering the front part of the body is almost airless and appears smooth and glossy. It's body is dark brown and black. The abdomen features some enlarged spinnerets making it easy to distinguish from others. It prefers dry plains or forests.

Funnel web spider in its funnel web

Venom from the funnel web spider

The venom from an Atrax robustus contains a chemical called atratoxin. Atratoxia attacks nerves and causes tremendous sensations of pain. An antitoxin against its poison was developed in 1981.

The carapace of an Atrax is raised and longer than wide. They build typical tubular burrow retreats, with a collapsed «tunnel» or open «funnel» entrance. Silk radiates from the entrance out over the ground. The spiders seize prey that walks over the entrances.

Sometimes several spiders form colonies aggregating their burrows within a small area.

Adult males leave their burrows to seek a mate. Such males may enter houses. For this reason they account for many bites and deaths.

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