Sydney Funnel-Web Spider

mimo2005 · 08-08-2007, 07:30 PM

The Sydney Funnel-web spider is perhaps the most dangerous spider in the world. Once bitten - and without medical intervention - you could die within the hour. There have been 13 recorded deaths from Sydney funnel-web spider bites already.

Their powerful venom, known as delta-atraxotoxin reaches the circulatory system in approximately two minutes. Symptoms include mouth tingling, twitching tongue, watery eyes, profuse salivating, sweating and muscle spasms. After 2 hours, most of these symptoms subside, only to be replaced with respiratory distress and possible cardiac arrest.

Sydney funnel-web spiders are easy to spot. They are medium-to-large in size, with body lengths ranging from 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 inches). They are darkly coloured, ranging from black to brown, with a glossy carapace covering the front part of the body.

They are equipped with a couple of massive fangs that point straight down. But unlike the fangs of other spiders, these fangs are hardened and act like daggers. To work these daggers, they raise their bodies up and strike down. And they strike repeatedly, with enough force to penetrate a human toenail.

Video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bwJhj4pu68

**Jack.Sparrow** · 08-08-2007, 07:36 PM

Ah, the benefits of living in Australia

mimo2005 · 08-08-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack.Sparrow

Ah, the benefits of living in Australia

Twitching tongue .

**Jack.Sparrow** · 08-08-2007, 07:43 PM

along with mouth tingling,watery eyes, profuse salivating, sweating and muscle spasms ... oh, and death within the hour

**gistek** · 08-09-2007, 10:50 AM

But those symptoms usually subside after two hours. Then you only have to worry about respiratory distress and cardiac arrest.

08-08-2007, 07:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
mimo2005 Manager, Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11,142 OS: xp	Sydney Funnel-Web Spider The Sydney Funnel-web spider is perhaps the most dangerous spider in the world. Once bitten - and without medical intervention - you could die within the hour. There have been 13 recorded deaths from Sydney funnel-web spider bites already. Their powerful venom, known as delta-atraxotoxin reaches the circulatory system in approximately two minutes. Symptoms include mouth tingling, twitching tongue, watery eyes, profuse salivating, sweating and muscle spasms. After 2 hours, most of these symptoms subside, only to be replaced with respiratory distress and possible cardiac arrest. Sydney funnel-web spiders are easy to spot. They are medium-to-large in size, with body lengths ranging from 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 inches). They are darkly coloured, ranging from black to brown, with a glossy carapace covering the front part of the body. They are equipped with a couple of massive fangs that point straight down. But unlike the fangs of other spiders, these fangs are hardened and act like daggers. To work these daggers, they raise their bodies up and strike down. And they strike repeatedly, with enough force to penetrate a human toenail. Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bwJhj4pu68 __________________ TSF has outgrown its server, again. Please help "Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo"

08-08-2007, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jack.Sparrow Resident Pirate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Qld, Aus Posts: 17,867 OS: XP SP3/Vista SP1 My System Blog Entries: 6	Re: Sydney Funnel-Web Spider Ah, the benefits of living in Australia __________________ //PC Wizard//Speedfan//Can you run it?//Posting Screenshots//Posting System Specs//Donations//

08-08-2007, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jack.Sparrow Resident Pirate Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Qld, Aus Posts: 17,867 OS: XP SP3/Vista SP1 My System Blog Entries: 6	Re: Sydney Funnel-Web Spider along with mouth tingling,watery eyes, profuse salivating, sweating and muscle spasms ... oh, and death within the hour __________________ //PC Wizard//Speedfan//Can you run it?//Posting Screenshots//Posting System Specs//Donations//

08-09-2007, 10:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
gistek Folding Along Join Date: May 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 1,925 OS: Bobbi=xp, sp3 Muse=Vista Home Premium	Re: Sydney Funnel-Web Spider But those symptoms usually subside after two hours. Then you only have to worry about respiratory distress and cardiac arrest. __________________ I am not a computer professional, My advice comes from personal experience and/or friends who are computer professionals. Learn By Doing Un-versity Interested in Search and Rescue? Check out the Civil Air Patrol. Come Fold with us. TSF Folding@Home Team