Identify a Funnel Spider

Funnel spiders (Agelenidae) consist of about 700 species that are found world-wide, particularly in moist climates and forests. They are also commonly called grass spiders because of their preference for living in grasslands. They are collectively called funnel web spiders because their silk-lined webs are constructed in the shape of a funnel. There are variations among the species, but funnel spiders share many of the same characteristics: they produce highly toxic venom and most are considered very dangerous.

Steps

  1. Know what a funnel spider is. Here are some key characteristics.
    • Physical features: Usually brown-grey with stripes near the head; some are black
    • Poisonous: Yes
    • Lives in: world-wide
    • Eats: Female funnel spiders stay in their burrows and only come to the entrance to grab any passing prey. Males will leave the burrow and wander in search of food. Both males and females primarily feed on insects, lizards and frogs.

Identifying a Funnel Spider

The length of a funnel spider depends on the species, but they range from 1/16” to 3/4" (1 to 20 mm).

  1. Identify a female funnel spider by comparing her distinguishing characteristics to a male funnel spider.
    • Look at her eyes. They are quite small and closely grouped together. Most species have 2 parallel rows of eyes (4 in each row), but a few species’ eyes are arranged in curved rows—a few have no eyes at all!
    • Notice their body construction; females are stockier than males and they have shorter legs and bigger abdomens.
    • Check for a pair of spinnerets protruding from her abdomen. She uses these to make her unique web.
  2. Differentiate between the male and the female primarily by looking at the legs; the male’s legs are longer, more slender and quite bristly.
  3. Notice the backs of both females and males; they are often marked with distinctive brown or grey stripes.

Recognizing Funnel Spider Habitats

The female funnel spider constructs a web that is funnel-shaped and that is connected to her burrow. When an insect disturbs the web, its vibrations alert the funnel spider, and it will rush to the entrance of the funnel and capture its prey.

  1. Look for funnel spiders underground. Funnel webs are underground and heavily camouflaged, making them nearly undetectable. Some common places to find them are:
    • Tropical rainforests
    • Woodlands
    • Grasslands
    • Leaf litter

Treating a Bite

The bites of some funnel spiders can be extremely serious; the bites from several species of funnel spiders in Australia have caused deaths. If any species of funnel spider bites you, take the following first-aid steps immediately:

  1. Stay calm to keep the venom from spreading too fast.
  2. Apply a tourniquet to the bite area if you are bitten on the arm or leg. Keep the tourniquet or pressure bandage towards your heart to stem the flow of venom.
  3. Immobilize the limb with a splint
  4. Collect the spider, even if it is badly squashed, so that it can be identified.
  5. Get prompt medical attention without delay.

Tips

  • Male funnel spiders typically live for about 1 year and the females live up to 20 years. They are preyed on by spider wasps and other spiders.
  • Funnel web spiders are hard to detect, so to avoid getting bitten by one, protect yourself when gardening by wearing gloves and long sleeves.
  • Be sure to shake out sleeping bags and shoes when you are camping to make sure there isn’t a funnel web spider hiding in your camping gear. Be especially careful when clearing brush, as you may accidentally disturb the entrance to the funnel spider’s burrow. The spider will rush out to bite at any disturbance.

Warnings

  • Water spiders are also members of the funnel species. Although they live below the surface of the water, they do come up for air and are poisonous.
  • Bites by males of two large species, the Sydney funnel-web and northern tree funnel-web, have resulted in death.

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Sources and Citations

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