Funnel Web Spider

[mucephei7]

I have interest in getting a hold of a funnel web spider. I assume it's impossible but still curious. Is there any legit and legal way to get a hold of one? Anybody ever come across one at an expo?

 

[LadyShia77]

I follow Tarantula Kat on YouTube and she has a friend she has gotten some funnelwebs from. She mentions in several of her videos that if you message Tom Patterson and mention Tarantula Kat, he'll give you a list of the spiders and such that he has available. TomPatterson77@gmail.com is how you contact him. He had a really nice variety when I messaged him.

 

[NMTs]

If you search the AB classified ads there are at least a couple active ads offering Linothele species, and one for Macrothele. Not sure exactly which species you're interested in, though.

 

[CRX]

Macrothele calpeiana is one of the coolest spiders, my dream is to one day own one.

 

[mucephei7]

I follow Tarantula Kat on YouTube and she has a friend she has gotten some funnelwebs from. She mentions in several of her videos that if you message Tom Patterson and mention Tarantula Kat, he'll give you a list of the spiders and such that he has available. TomPatterson77@gmail.com is how you contact him. He had a really nice variety when I messaged him.

Thanks I'll have to save that email, appreciate the help.

If you search the AB classified ads there are at least a couple active ads offering Linothele species, and one for Macrothele. Not sure exactly which species you're interested in, though.

Good find, I wish I was ready to get one. Can't say what I'm looking for exactly just know of the Sydney funnel-web, realizing there's more out there then I thought which is great. Right now just looking to see what's available and use AB to point me in the right direction. Got a lot research to do before I actually do anything.

Macrothele calpeiana

Why that one in particular?

 

[RezonantVoid]

Thanks I'll have to save that email, appreciate the help.



Good find, I wish I was ready to get one. Can't say what I'm looking for exactly just know of the Sydney funnel-web, realizing there's more out there then I thought which is great. Right now just looking to see what's available and use AB to point me in the right direction. Got a lot research to do before I actually do anything.




Why that one in particular?

Forget ever legally owning any true funnelwebs such as Atrax robustus, Australian biosecurity laws strictly prohibit the exportation of like 99.9% of our invertebrates (I think some Australian tarantulas can be sent abroad with Incredibly specific rules and paperwork). Antivenom production is very limited in Australia as is, so a bite from one overseas would have pretty much no treatment options and almost guarantee death.

There are about 36 described Australian funnelweb species from 3 genera, and countless undescribed ones, new ones are found pretty much every year. The most venomous species in the country are both from the Hadronyche genus, but as bites from the Sydney funnelweb (Atrax robustus) occur more often due to their large numbers in close proximity to many people, they are still considered the most dangerous. There are several arboreal species too, including the largest and most venomous species, Hadronyche formidabilis (northern tree funnelweb), which is incredibly sought after and borderline nonexistent in the Australian hobby due to how absurdly difficult they are to catch.

Here is my largest funnelweb, Hadronyche sp. Bateman's Bay, at 3" in diagonal legspan.



The species other members have recommended above are what I and alot of others call curtain webs, not funnelwebs. These are characterised by extraordinarily large spinnerets that give them an unmistakable look, and far larger and thicker webs than any Australian funnelweb can produce. The name applies to a number of families and genera, but many are occasionally referred to as funnelwebs instead. I strongly disagree with this, as it very easily confuses people into thinking they are the deadly Australian Atracids when in reality they come from completely different families and countries, and a number of them are only considered mildly venomous. Here is one such example of a curtain web from Australia, Australothele nambucca. As you can see, there's no comparing them visually the funnelweb above.




Curtain webs are however IMO, much more entertaining to keep than Australian funnelwebs. These are some genera to look into that are accessible outside Australia:
- Ischnothele
- Linothele
- Macrothele (regarded as having moderate venom, not good beginner ones)
- Harmonicon
- Euagrus

 

[CRX]

Thanks I'll have to save that email, appreciate the help.



Good find, I wish I was ready to get one. Can't say what I'm looking for exactly just know of the Sydney funnel-web, realizing there's more out there then I thought which is great. Right now just looking to see what's available and use AB to point me in the right direction. Got a lot research to do before I actually do anything.




Why that one in particular?

Macrothele is the only "true" funnel web spider found outside of Australia and the immediate region.

 

[RezonantVoid]

Macrothele is the only "true" funnel web spider found outside of Australia and the immediate region.

Macrothele is the only overseas genus where I find it somewhat forgivable to call them a funnelweb due to their venom, as it gives people an elevated sense of caution when managing them. But once again, I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen such naming cause needless confusion.

 

[The Snark]

Curtain, sheet, funnel.......? I prefer the Swedish kids version, älvans duk - A Fairy's tablecloth.

 

[Jonathan6303]

Curtain, sheet, funnel.......? I prefer the Swedish kids version, älvans duk - A Fairy's tablecloth.

There webbing does seem magical