Q&A for How to Identify a Funnel Spider

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Are funnel spider bites fatal?

Brandon Runyon
Entomology and Pest Control Expert
Brandon Runyon is a board-certified Entomologist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has over 18 years of experience as a Pest Control professional, and is the Technical Director of Swat Pest Management. Swat Pest Management serves areas throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, where they provide safe, cost-effective solutions for client’s pest control needs. He authored Bugged by Bugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Pest Control, a user-friendly guide to commercial pest control practices in hotels, restaurants, apartments, and offices. He graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Entomology, and received a MS in Entomology from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also received an MBA from Western Governors University.

Brandon Runyon

Entomology and Pest Control Expert

Expert Answer

Funnel spider bites can be fatal, though not all bites are venomous. According to the NIH, about 10% to 15% of funnel spider bites contain venom. Despite this relatively low percentage, I recommend treating all funnel spider bites as potentially venomous. Getting medical attention is crucial to managing and mitigating the potentially life-threatening effects of their bite.

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Can the spider be identified by its web?

Community Answer

Very fine and silky, whitish pale grey with a funnel entrance.

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Are funnel web spiders found in North Carolina?

Community Answer

The primary range of the Australian funnel-web spiders is the eastern coast of Australia, with specimens found in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland.

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Can funnel spiders be in Washington?

Community Answer

No. The primary range of the Australian funnel-web spiders is the eastern coast of Australia, with specimens in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

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What are the symptoms of a funnel spider bite?

Community Answer

The symptoms are mouth tickling, sweating, twitching tongue and watery eyes; later symptoms included cardiac arrest.

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Are male bites worse than female?

Community Answer

Both are extremely deadly, but the venom of a male is worse. The male of the spices has 3-5 times more toxins in the venom than females.

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Can a funnel spider kill an elephant?

Community Answer

No, it can't. Their venom isn't strong enough. It can kill several mice though, and most likely a human depending on how much venom it injects into the body.

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Are funnel spiders found in California?

Community Answer

No, they are not.

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Do any other spiders in England make a funnel web?

Community Answer

I believe only funnel spiders could make a funnel web in England.

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Are funnel spiders found in Colorado?

Community Answer

No. As stated in the introduction, they are found in Australia.

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How do I tell if a spider is a funnel spider? What spiders can they be mistaken for?

Community Answer

You can tell if a spider is a funnel spider by looking at it’s larger then usual fangs. They sometimes could be mistaken for mouse spiders and trapdoor spiders.

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What is the most deadly spider in the world? Is it the Sydney funnel-web spider? How many eggs do they lay at once?

Community Answer

A lot of spiders are deadly. But usually, the most dangerous spider is the Sydney funnel web or its rival, the Brazilian wandering spider. Funnel web spiders usually lay 90-120 eggs.

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How can I tell the difference between funnel web spiders and trapdoor spiders?

Community Answer

There are many differences between trapdoor spiders and funnel webs. Trapdoor spider venom is not that deadly to humans, while funnel web spider venom is deadly. The burrow of a trapdoor spider has a barely visible trapdoor while the funnel web spider burrow is open with webs inside of the burrow in the shape of a funnel. But the main difference is color. The color of a funnel web is usually black or very dark brown, while the color of a trapdoor spider is usually yellowish brown to reddish brown to black.

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Question

if I get bitten by a funnel web spider and I don't treat it how long till I die?

Sosig

Top Answerer

Since funnel web venom is highly toxic, the wait till death could be as short as 15 minutes to as long as 3 days (depending on your size, children being most vulnerable), and since its venom can cause extreme pain, confusion, breathing problems and other incredibly serious side affects, you'll probably be wanting medical care quickly. Never ever provoke or even go near a funnel web spider.

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Question

Can funnel web spiders swim?

Sosig

Top Answerer

Funnel webs are not very good swimmers. But this does not mean you are safe from them in a pool! Funnel webs have the ability to trap air bubbles on their abdomen, meaning they can survive underwater for some time if needed.

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