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The Sydney Funnel Web spiderAtrax Robustus

Nathalie Wojtowicz

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Presentation

1. Description of the sydney funnel web spider

2. Is it very dangerous ?

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Sydney funnel web spiderVenomous spider :

Arthropoda

Phylus

Arachnida

Araneae

Opisthothelea

Genus

Suborder

Order

Class

Atrax

Atrax Robustus

Species

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Sydney funnel web spiderLocation in Australia :

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How to recognize an atrax robustus ? One of the Australia’s

largest spider : 35 mm length for a female and 25 mm for a male

Characteristics :Black to brown Shiny carapaceDeeply curved groove Eyes closely grouped

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How to recognize an atrax robustus ?

Differencing male and female : Male is more delicate built than

female And has a little spur along its

second leg

But both have big fangs pointing straight down……And able to penetrate fingernails or soft shoes !!!

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How to recognize an atrax robustus ? Sometimes mistaken with :

○ Misgolas rapax male or female : which is not poisonous

○ Misselena sp female

○ Badumna insignis, which may bite and cause nausea, sweating or giddiness

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Where do they live ? Burrow in moist, cool,

sheltered habitats

Characteristic sign : irregular silk strip lines around the entrance

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What is their behavior ? Solitary animals Active at night Hunt from the burrow entrance Eat from insects and spiders to small frogs and

lizards Very aggressive, when approached

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Mating During Summer/Autumn males wander

Pheromones help them to find females’ burrow

During mating, considerable sparring occurs

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Interaction with humans Males are often found in suburban gardens,

sometimes trapped in houses or garages, or in swimming pools

4 millions people live with Sydney Funnel Web Spider

Greater chance to encounter this spider

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Toxins The venom of male is very toxic

Females are harmless

Contains a unique component : Robustoxin, which affects the nervous system of humans and monkeys

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Symptoms Bite very painful, due to the acidity of the venom and the size of

fangs

Systemic envenoming

Tingling around the mouth and tongue, facial muscle twitching, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, salivation and shortness of breath

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Symptoms

Patients may rapidly develop agitation, confusion and coma

Death results from progressive hypotension or possibly raised intracranial pressure consequent on cerebral oedema

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Antivenom Developed for clinical use in 1981 by Dr Struan Sutherland

Effective against other dangerous funnel-web spiders and also in case of bites from mouse spider

Held at major city and regional hospitals

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Antivenom Before the introduction of antivenom the illness required 2 to 3

weeks of hospital care, whereas now it lasts 1 to 3 days

No definite adverse reactions to the antivenom

No death occurred since its introduction

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First Aid Apply a pressure bandage

Bound a rigid splint onto the limb to prevent limb movement

Keep as quiet as possible

Try to keep the spider for positive identification

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FAQs about Atrax Robustus

Can they swim ? Can’t swim But can survive 24-30 hours under water and so bite when removed

of the water !!!

Can they jump ? Can’t jump But move quickly And rear up when irritated

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ConclusionAtrax robustus doesn’t kill anymore…

But if you have arachnophobia, don’t go to Australia !

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Thank You !