The
male Sydney Funnel-Web Spider
is six times more toxic than
the female, and it is he whom
is most often encountered
by humans, during their intrepid
search for a female to reproduce.
The Blue Mountains Funnel-Web
and Northern Tree Funnel-Web
Spiders are also highly venomous.
Red-Back Spiders
HIGHLY VENOMOUS - DANGEROUS
- CAN BE DEADLY
Toxicity of venom - the
Red-Back Spider can inflict
a painful bite which can be
fatal, especially to the young
and elderly.
An effective anti-venom was
developed in 1956.
Only a small amount of venom
can cause serious illness,
as the poison attacks the
nervous system.
Medical attention should be
sought as soon as possible.
White-tail
Spiders
VENOMOUS - CAN BE DANGEROUS
White-tail spider bites can
cause burning pain followed
by swelling and itchiness.
In some cases, blistering
or local ulceration have been
reported – conditions
known medically as necrotising
arachnidism. Minor bacterial
infection of the wound caused
by Mycobacterium ulcerans
carried by the spider, may
be a contributory factor in
such cases. A debate continues
about the involvement of White-tail
spider bite in cases of severe
ulcerative skin lesions seen
in patients diagnosed as probable
spider bite victims. Typically,
in such cases no direct evidence
of spider bite is available.
Area of distribution - found
across Australia, including
Tasmania.
Mouse
Spiders
DANGEROUS - venomous - painful
bite
Although normally not aggressive,
the male mouse spider will
bite if provoked, and should
be considered dangerous to
humans.
This spider has been known
to cause severe illness, especially
to young children.
It has large hard fangs which
can cause a painful bite with
a deep gash.
Black
House Spiders are venomous
- nausea
Venom toxicity - the bite
of the Black House Spider
is poisonous but not lethal.
Certain people bitten experience
severe pain around the bite
site, heavy sweating, muscular
pains, vomiting, headaches
and giddiness. First aid and
medical attention (ambulance)
should be sought as soon as
possible.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - adults
are about 15 mm in body length
and of a dark brown to black
velvet textured appearance.
Wolf
Spiders are venomous
- non-aggressive
Venom toxicity - the bite
of the Wolf Spider is poisonous
but not lethal. Although non-aggressive,
they bite freely if provoked
and should be considered dangerous
to humans. The bite may be
very painful. First aid and
medical attention should be
sought as soon as possible,
particularly as to children
or the elderly.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - an
adult is 15 mm to 30 mm in
body length - mottled grey
to brown in colour, with a
distinct Union Jack impression
on it's back. The female carries
it's young on it's back.
Trap-Door
Spiders are low risk
- non-aggressive
FEMALE
Venom toxicity - the bite
of the Trap-Door Spider is
of low risk (non toxic) to
humans. It is a non-aggressive
spider - usually timid but
may stand up and present it's
fangs if harassed. Rarely
bites - but if so it can be
painful.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - an
adult is about 35 mm in body
length - brown to dark brown
in colour - heavily covered
with fine hairs. The male
has distinct boxing glove-shaped
palps, that is, the two "sensory
feelers" at front of
it's head.
Orb-Weaving
Spiders are low risk
- non-aggressive
Venom toxicity - the bite
of Orb-Weaving Spiders is
of low risk (not toxic) to
humans. They are a non-aggressive
group of spiders. Seldom bite.
Be careful not to walk into
their webs at night - the
fright of this spider crawling
over one's face can be terrifying
and may cause a heart attack,
particularly to the susceptible
over 40 year olds.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide,
particularly common in bushland
along the eastern coastal
areas.
Spider Identification - an
adult is about 20 mm to 30
mm in body length - has a
bulbous abdomen - often colorful
- dark to light brown pattern.
The common Golden Orb-Weaver
Spider has a purplish bulbous
abdomen with fine hairs.
St
Andrews Cross Spiders
are low risk - non-aggressive
Venom toxicity - the bite
of the St Andrews Cross is
of low risk (non-toxic) to
humans. They are a non-aggressive
group of spiders.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - adult
5 to 15 mm in body length
- abdomen striped yellow and
brown - as illustrated. The
St Andrews Cross Spider usually
sits, upside down, in the
middle of it's web forming
a cross - as illustrated.
Huntsman
Spiders are low risk
- non-aggressive
Venom toxicity - the bite
of Huntsman Spiders is of
low risk (non toxic) to humans.
They are a non-aggressive
group of spiders. However,
a large individual can give
a painful bite. Beware in
summer when the female Huntsman
Spider is guarding her egg
sacs or young.
Area of distribution - Australia-wide.
Spider Identification - an
adult varies greatly around
15 mm in body length - has
long legs - the diameter of
an adult including legs may
reach 45 mm - the first 2
pairs of legs are longer than
rear two - it is hairy - buff
to beige brown in colour,
with dark patches on the body. |
