![]() ![]() The females generally remain in their burrow, while the males wander looking for them, generally in late summer to early winter. Mouse spiders are rather lethargic and rarely aggressive. Studies have shown the funnel-web spider antivenom to be effective for mouse spider envenomation and because it is sometimes difficult to tell the two species apart, the bites should be treated with the same precaution. Their venom is similar to the funnel-web spiders, although no deaths have been attributed to them only one case of severe envenomation has been recorded. There are eight species of mouse spider found all across Australia and they’re typically found in burrows, often near rivers or waterways, and can occasionally be found in suburban areas. ( Missulena sp.) Image credit: shutterstock Redback venom is effective against these bites. Envenomation can cause various effects, but the main symptom is severe and persistent pain – which can last hours to days depending on the person’s sensitivity to the venom – and may include nausea, malaise and lethargy.Ĭupboard spiders ( Steatoda sp.) are often mistaken for redbacks and they produce similar symptoms, though their venom is less potent. Their venom affects the nervous system, which is potentially dangerous for humans, but their small fangs make many of the bites ineffective. Most serious bites are from the female redback spider, which measures about 1cm long (bigger than males) and is recognisable by the well-known red stripe on its back, from which it gains its name. No deaths have been recorded since redback antivenom became available in the 1950s. Numbers of redback spider bites are uncertain, but about 2000 are reported each year and about 250 people receive antivenom. They often hide in dry, sheltered places such as garden sheds, mailboxes and under toilet seats. Redback spiders are found throughout Australia, in many habitats, including urban areas. ( Latrodectus hasselti) Image credit: shutterstock One in six bites causes a severe reaction, but since the antivenom has been made available, in 1981, no fatalities have been recorded. Their venom has a compound that can attack the human nervous system and alter the functioning of all organs and, when coming from a male, can kill. Though just 1.5-3.5cm big, the Sydney Funnel-web has fangs larger than a brown snake’s and so powerful they can even pierce through nails and toenails. ![]() They can wander in backyards and sometimes fall into swimming pools, and though they’re not often encountered, they can be quite aggressive when threatened. 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 the world.įound in New South Wales, in forests as well as populated urban areas, they burrow in humid sheltered places. ( Atrax robustus) Image credit: shutterstock ![]() Related: This is why you should love spidersĪustralia’s 10 most dangerous spiders 1. When injected to a horse, for instance, spider venom triggers the animal’s immune system to produce antibodies to fight the effect of the toxin. Spider venom is designed for small prey and delivered in small quantities that, while often fatal to tiny creatures, can be handled by bigger organisms. Spider venom contains a cocktail of chemicals, some of which can be harmful to humans – but humans are not really the intended victims. It is only administered when the envenomation is really severe, which is rarely the case. He points out the extent of our irrational fear of spiders: “While we all still happily get in our cars (about 1000 people die each year in car crashes), then we can’t really worry about spiders.”Īntivenom for two of our more dangerous spiders, the funnel-web and the redback has been available since the 1950s and 1981, respectively. “There are more deaths from allergic reactions to bees” says Dr Geoff Isbister, a researcher specialised in envenoming at the University of Newcastle. In fact, spiders are less life-threatening than snakes or sharks, or even bees. But even though spiders live around us, from our urban centres to the bush, bites are infrequent. Spiders are the most widely distributed venomous creatures in Australia, with an estimated 10,000 species inhabiting a variety of ecosystems. Shop now Australian spiders less dangerous than bees
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