Phylum
Arthropoda
Family
Atracidae
Class
Arachnida
Genus
Atrax
Order
Araneae
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Size
1.5-3.5 cm body, up to 7 cm leg span; males smaller
Coloration
Glossy black to dark brown, robust, hairy
Adaptations
Highly potent venom, strong fangs for prey penetration
Habitat
Moist forests, woodlands, suburban gardens, damp areas
Diet
Carnivorous
Feeds on insects, small lizards, frogs, from funnel webs
Geographic Range
Eastern Australia, 100 km radius of Sydney, NSW
Reproduction
Females lay 100-150 eggs, hatch 3-4 weeks, mature years
Threats
None significant, benefits from suburban expansion
Interesting Facts
Deadly Bite: The Sydney funnel-web’s atracotoxin venom can kill humans in under two hours without antivenom, making it one of the world’s most dangerous spiders in Blue Mountains’ undergrowth. Since the 1981 antivenom, fatalities have ceased, but its aggressive stance remains a concern in Sydney suburbs.
Funnel Weavers: These spiders craft silk-lined, funnel-shaped burrows with tripwires, ambushing prey like beetles in Ku-ring-gai Chase’s logs, striking within milliseconds. Their fangs, capable of piercing shoes, support a population of millions, thriving in urban gardens despite human encroachment.
Best Places to Sight
Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales has Katoomba and Wentworth Falls undergrowth for spider sightings with caution
Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in New South Wales features Bobbin Head burrows and logs for spider sightings
Sydney suburbs in New South Wales have Hornsby and Northern Beaches gardens and rocks for spider sightings