Today we answer the question What If You Were Bitten By The Most Venomous Spider?
The Sydney Funnel Web spider is the Most Venomous Spider in the World according to the Guinness World Records, Ripleys Believe it or Not, and Encyclopedia Britannica. Named after their funnel shaped webs, which they use to trap prey, the male funnel web spider is much more venomous compared to its female counterpart. Small in size, coming only a couple of inches across, their venom is where they gained their reputation. One of the largest spiders found came in with about a 4 inches or 10 cm leg span.
Surprisingly, these toxic spiders aren’t found in remote forests or barren wastelands but in one of the most densest human population cities in Australia: Sydney. Moist habitats is where they make their homes and can be found under logs or even gardens,
So how venomous is this spider? Just 0.2 milligrams per kilogram of the male’s venom is a lethal dose for primates including humans. Their venom contains a compound called robustoxin which is highly toxic for humans due to its affects to our nervous system. Surprisingly though, it is harmless for some other mammals such as rabbits.
If you happen to encounter a funnel web spider, remember to be very cautious. Unlike other spiders which may run away when threatened, this spider can be very aggressive and would prefer to fight than flee. With its large fangs that can pierce through fingernails and shoe leather, this little spider doesn’t have much to fear. One bite from its fangs can cause extreme pain prior to even feeling the symptoms from its venom. Also, unlike other species which might strike and run away, the funnel spider can stay attached until it’s forcefully dislodged.
Considered a life threatening bite due to the speed the venom works, you can begin to feel symptoms within minutes. These symptoms can include vomiting, drooling and sweating, muscle spasms and some people can lose consciousness. Any bite from a funnel web spider will need to be immediately treated at a hospital. The male spider can have enough venom to kill you within 15 minutes.
Fortunately, in 1981, an antivenom was created for this spiders bite and no recorded deaths have occurred since then. Due to the country’s only funnel web venom-milking program, the Australian Reptile Park has played a key role in producing venom. It can take up to 70 milkings to create one vial of antivenom. To treat a funnel web spider bite, it is recommended to take two vials and in some severe cases up to 4 vials of antivenom. If you are native to Sydney, familiar with these spiders, and aren’t too afraid, the program encourages donating these spiders in order to save more lives from those who have been bitten. But we don’t recommend capturing these spiders without the proper knowledge and tools.
#MostVenomous #Spiders #SydneyFunnelWebSpider
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