Blue Mountains funnel-web spider facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Mountains funnel-web spider |
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| Male (left) and female (right) Blue Mountains funnel-web spiders (Hadronyche versuta) | |
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Atrax versuta Rainbow |
The Blue Mountains funnel-web spider, also known as Hadronyche versuta, is a type of venomous spider. It belongs to a group of spiders called mygalomorphs, which are known for their fangs that point straight down. You can find this spider in central New South Wales, a state in Australia.
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What is a Blue Mountains Funnel-Web Spider?
This spider is part of the Hadronyche family. It was first officially described in 1914 by a scientist named William Joseph Rainbow. He found the first specimens near the Jenolan Caves. The spider's scientific name, versuta, comes from a Latin word meaning "clever" or "cunning".
What Does it Look Like?
The Blue Mountains funnel-web spider looks a lot like other Australian funnel-web spiders. It has a shiny black back, called a carapace. Its legs and fangs (called chelicerae) are also black or dark brown.
The male spider has a pale patch on its belly. The female's belly is more of a maroon-brown color. The male's back is a bit longer than it is wide. The female's back is more square-shaped.
Where Do They Live?
You can find the Blue Mountains funnel-web spider in eastern Australia. They live in the area from the Blue Mountains down to the Illawarra District in New South Wales. These spiders like to make their homes in burrows. You can often find their burrows inside old tree stumps and rotting logs.
Are They Dangerous?
Yes, the Blue Mountains funnel-web spider is venomous. If someone is bitten, it can cause serious symptoms. Luckily, there is an antivenom (a medicine to treat venom) that works for this spider's bite. This antivenom was originally made for the related Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus).
If someone is bitten, symptoms can start quickly, sometimes within 15 to 20 minutes. It's very important to apply a pressure bandage, similar to how you would treat a snake bite. This can slow down the venom and is a key first aid step.
Even though this spider's venom doesn't have the exact same toxins as the Sydney funnel-web, the effects are very similar. Symptoms can include sweating (called diaphoresis), pain where the bite happened, fluid in the lungs (called pulmonary oedema), high blood pressure (hypertension), and feeling sick with nausea and vomiting.
Scientists think female spiders might be more dangerous than males. This could be because they might inject more venom when they bite. The venom contains a special substance called versutoxin. This is a neurotoxin, which means it affects the nervous system. It's very similar to a toxin found in the Sydney funnel-web spider's venom.
