| Funnel Web Spider |
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| Tuesday, 06 March 2007 | |
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Ranger Jackie milking a funnel web spider Note: Australian Reptile Park is the only place in the world where you can see a funnel-web milked of its venom! Daily 9.45am. More information visit: http://www.reptilepark.com.au/
WHAT IS IT?
A large, bulky spider, with females reaching over 35mm in body length and males around 25mm. The male also has more slender legs and a spur, which is located on the third segment of the second leg. This tiny appendage is a lifesaver for the male as it holds the female's fangs during mating. The head region is characteristically glossy black, while the abdomen is dark brown or purplish in colour. The body and legs are covered with fine hairs.
Did You Know? Funnel-webs are extremely aggressive spiders and will have no hesitation in standing their ground and defending themselves. The front legs are raised high off the ground and the fangs are brought up and directed forward ready to strike. If further provoked the fangs will strike downwards with great speed and force. The only permanent technique to eradicate funnel-webs from a garden is to remove all the surrounding vegetation and allow direct sunlight to reach the burrow entries and dry out the soil. Killing existing spiders by fumigation or other chemical means will only provide a short-term solution as the area will soon be recolonized by other spiders.
Article contributed by Australian Reptile Park |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 March 2007 ) |
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