Funnel -web spiders

[Venom]

Oh ok-I wasn't sure if you meant me or not, but I'm sure some people here see me that way. In any case I wasn't meaning to attack you, but just to explain myself.

With a attitude that they dont kill people it encourage not so experienced people to get one.

EXACTLY. And the more inexperienced keepers there are, and the more that carelessness abounds, the more likely serious envenomations are--and the hobby does NOT need that kind of publicity. It's far safer for all concerned to keep up a very healthy respect for these creatures and the damage they can cause to a human body. Denying the risks doesn't make anyone safer. The last thing we need is some news network airing a special on an invert keepers venom-caused demise, and we could be looking at widespread bans on all exotic inverts.

 

[EK2]

Great photos Steve. The HForm is lighter than the very few encountered, but they are more brown than the other H's. Wasn't sure if it was the norm though. What is the go with the H.Valida? Dont know much about them. Only ever come across Infensa in Qld, during scrounges in Maleny, near Glass Mtn's.

 

[Sheri]

Hi,
I won't offer an opinion on whether or not these should be kept, if you're nutty like me, you might try I guess

Very nice images - and yes, nutty like you indeed.

 

[Arocknid]

Hi there,


Furthermore by the way, "venomous" as a term is used if you have consumed something venomous, like Fugu that hasn´t been treaten properly. If talking about animals that inject venom, we´re talking about toxic here.


Stefan

Venomous is the term used to describe injected toxins, poison is used to describe ingested toxins.:clap:

Both venom and poison are toxins, your English is inaccurate.

Being from mainland europe you should know it's not particularly hard to get hold of the two genera in question it's just legally grey.

Further reading into the works of Dr Breene is a must if you are to bring up the age old argument.

 

[Steve Nunn]

Very nice images - and yes, nutty like you indeed.

LOL, you know me

H.valida with prey:

Steve

 

[Sheri]

Damn they're nice...

I would love to keep them if I had the opportunity one day.

 

[dragonblade71]

I don't really want to join in the debate that's developing here but there is one confirmed fact that I can tell you about the sydney funnel web spider (atrax robustus.) It's fangs can penetrate right through a human fingernail!

 

[El Johano]

WRONG. It would be EXTREMELY DANGEROUS [. ......]
Have you ever seen these things in action? They throw strikes at a puff of air! All you would have to do is let one hand--one finger--stray too close, and that could be it for you. These spiders: Hadronyche/ Atrax are to reserved for the VERY MOST EXPERIENCED, mature, and responsible hobbyists. Nuclear weapons are difficult to set off, but would you hand those out to high-school physics students? I think not.., and Aussie f-webs ARE easy to "set off"!

Have you ever crossed a street? One misstep and it could be it for you....Only for the VERY MOST EXPERIENCED for sure

I am one of few people in this thread who actually keep Australian funnelwebs. I don't understand why there is such a drive to demonize them. They are really not agressive at all, defensive, yes. But only if you dig them out of their burrow. They are in truth extremely shy and will dissapear into their burrow as soon as they sense your approach.

Have you ever seen these things in action?

Have you?
If you dig them out and provoke them of course they will put on a threat display! As do most large mygalomorphs... However they usually stand still with their legs in the air, with occasional "airbites", it is not like they run towards you and try to bite you... Although sometimes they will try to run away. They are one of the easiest spiders in my collection when it comes to maintenance, they are slow, clumsy and once in the treat display they tend to stay put. I am not saying they are for newbies, but of you can keep a P. murinus, funnel webs should not pose a problem.

 

[lindell687]

give you an example of how dangerous they are my buddy lives in new south whales australia near sydney. He is big on bugs snakes lizards inverts the works, like the rest of us. His mom found one in her wash room they had to call a special trapper/catcher for him/her.

 

[WithCerberus]

Steve, I would love to see some more pictures of H.formidabilis and your set ups for the species. Very interesting.
peace,
Bobby

 

[John Apple]

just an update here

The macrothele calpieana are doing well with the male making his rounds between three females over a month or so.
Breeding was witnessed with all females so hoping I get some sacs from these folks.
The venom on the females and I am sure the male must be pretty heavy. Hopper mice die in about a minute after being bitten no matter where on the body.