Venom Program
The following spiders are commonly found on the East Coast of Australia. Spiders may be dropped off at various points across Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and Illawarra. Please use the following spider chart for reference.
WILDLIFE ARC – Reptile and Mammal care and removal (02) 4325 0666
NAVIGATION DEVICE – If you are using a navigation device to get to the Reptile Park use this address: Myoora Road, Somersby, NSW 2250
IDENTIFICATION: If you have a photograph of a snake or spider that you would like identified, please email our friendly reception team who will do their best to identify it.
Please call: 02 4340 1022 or email: admin@reptilepark.com.au
NOTE: never put yourself in harms way of trying to take a photo. Contact Wildlife Arc for safe removal.
FUNNEL WEB (Female)
Approximately 30mm in body length. Black to very dark brown in colour. Each egg sac may contain up to 120 spiderlings. Constructs burrow in moist soil under houses, in rockeries, compost heaps, etc.
Identification points: very similar in appearance, but more robust than the male. Has no spur on second front legs.
EXTREMELY VENOMOUS
FUNNEL WEB (Male)
Approximately 25mm in body length. Black to very dark brown in colour.
Identification points: spur on second front legs, long slender spinnerets on rear of abdomen, shiny surface on the head and front section of the body.
ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST DEADLIEST SPIDERS
TRAPDOOR (Female)
Approximately 23 to 35mm in body length. Dark brown in colour. Constructs a burrow in firm soil, occasionally fitted with a lid.
Identification points: head sectioned patterned with light honey colour, if visible, spinnerets are blunt and broad. Similar in appearance to the male except the male has a smaller abdomen and large palps resembling boxing gloves located between the head and first set of legs.
PAINFUL BITE
MOUSE SPIDER (Male)
Approximately 20 to 35mm in body length. Dark blue to black in colour. Can be found some distance from burrow.
Identification points: forward body section can be either bright red or black; sometimes a light blue patch can be evident on the forward part of the abdomen.
PAINFUL BITE
MOUSE SPIDER (Female)
Approximately 20 to 30mm in body length. Blck to dark brown in colour. Constructs a burrow with silken lid to depth of 1 metre.
Identification points: much broader head than the Funnel Web which it otherwise resembles.
PAINFUL BITE
RED BACK
Approximately 12mm in body length. Black to brown in colour. Constructs a loose tangled web around rubbish, sheds and under houses.
Identification points: the top of the abdomen usually features a red flash, however in some instances it is indistinct to non-existent.
BITE MAY PROVE FATAL
WOLF SPIDER
Approximately 20 to 30mm in body length. Many related species ranging from light to dark brown in colour. Lives in holes often covered by leaf litter.
Identification poins: variation of light and ark markings on body and abdomen. Very fast running movements.
BITE MAY CAUSE INFECTION
WHITE TAIL SPIDER
Approximately 12mm (male) & 17mm (female). Dark reddish brown to black in colour. They are commonly found under stones, bark or in crevices. Also found in buildings, often wandering along the floor.
Identification points: white dorsal spot at the tip of the abdomen. Juvenile specimens have a double series of white patches along the upper abdomen. Cylindrical shaped body.
BITE CAN CAUSE SEVERE ILLNESS
HUNTSMAN
Approximately 20 to 35mm in body length. Light grey to dark brown in colour. Shelters in cracks and crevices. Frequents interior ceilings and walls. Due to it’s size, it is often confused with the “tarantula” , which Australia does have a native variety of, however this spider is not in that family.
Identification points: flat body, very long legs, quick moving.
BITE IS RARE BUT PAINFUL
ORB-WEAVING SPIDER
Approximately 20 to 30mm in body length. Light to dark brown in colour. Constructs a large circular web usually found in summer in garden areas between buildings and shrubs.
Identification points: bulbous abdomen and often has a colourful, dark to light brown pattern.
BITE IS RARE (NON-TOXIC)
ST ANDREWS CROSS SPIDER
Approximately 5 to 15mm in body length. Light to dark brown in colour. Constructs a large web usually found in summer in garden areas around the home.
Identification points: abdomen striped yellow and brown and forms a cross in the middle of the web.
BITE IS RARE (NON-TOXIC)
BLACK HOUSE SPIDER
Approximately 12 to 18mm in body length. Dark brown to black in colour. Constructs dense, funnel shaped webs around windows, doors, etc.
Identification points: very distinctive grey or cream mottling on abdomen.
BITE CAN CAUSE SEVERE DISCOMFORT AND NAUSEA
This spider chart is reproduced courtesy of Advanced Basics Pest Control www.advancedbasics.com.au
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BioCSL have launched a new App called ‘Australian bites and stings’. This handy app was developed for consumers in the event of animal bite and provides information regarding signs and symptoms + first aid for a variety of snakes, spiders, jellyfish and creepy crawlies.
For more information, visit BioCSL app page.
BioCSL Fact Sheet
