Sydney Funnel Webs

[arachnophoria]

Are these ever available?If not,can anyone enlighten me as to why.I would be interested in aquiring some.

 

[ranchulas]

I haven't seen this species for sale. Think its because of the wc import laws from Australia???? I have seen tarantulaspiders.com carry spanish funnel web spiders which are supposed to be nasty tempered.

 

[Frédérick]

they might not be on sale for anyone, they are very dangerous after all...

 

[Tleilaxu]

they might not be on sale for anyone, they are very dangerous after all...

Only the males... Its most likely due to the strict import/export laws the Aussies have, if I recall correctly someone just managed to get a few Aussie T's imported and it took a lot of work.

 

[Bastian Drolshagen]

hi,
since Aussie T´s are bred for export purposes (and there´s one person having an export permit - no name!) it can´t have been that hard work

 

[Stylopidae]

hi,
since Aussie T´s are bred for export purposes (and there´s one person having an export permit - no name!) it can´t have been that hard work

I've been told that the medically signifficant inverts aren't allowed to be exported from Australia with an exception being made for research purposes.

 

[Moltar]

It's VERY seldom you'll hear me say something like this so take note:

I think that it would be irresponsible of anyone to attempt to introduce the sydney funnel web spider into the pet trade. Not just because they're tremendously venomous but also because it's the males (who wander) who are so venomous. Imagine if they got established somewhere like that B vagans colony did in Florida. now imagine that it happened in a suburban or urban area rather than a remote orchard somewhere.

Nobody needs deadly-venomous creatures introduced to their area. This is one of those "Just because we COULD doesn't mean we SHOULD.

Now flame away y'all. I'm sure not everybody will agree with me on this.

 

[arachnophoria]

I do agree that there should be conditions and liability for those who keep venomous animals.I do however see that other venomous animals can be bought online all day long...mambas,cobras,rattle snakes,fat tailed scorpions,and the list goes on...so why should it be so different for funnel webs?
I think the reasoning behind wanting to keep a species is most important.Someone who wants something just they can prove they are the ape with the biggest bag of beans by having a dangerous animal,should not be trusted with one...someone who appreciates a species for what it is has a genuine interest is usually more responsible.That said,accidents can happen...so what if someone loses a few mambas in Florida...they could terrorize the place and kill lots of people,but you can still buy them.I am sure there are other reasons,besides the potential danger that they are not seen for sale.

 

[buthus]

so what if someone loses a few mambas in Florida...they could terrorize the place and kill lots of people

Doubt they would cause any sort a mass terror nor would they kill a lot of people.
Sounds like a bad B movie ...top secret special issue mambas escape a government facility ...Florida...spring break... wet T-shirt contest ...KILLER snakes!

 

[arachnophoria]

Well,they probably would not hunt people down..lol.I was just makeing light of the fact that they are unusually bold and aggressive and just as likely to establish and cause problems as the funnel web.Invertebrated deserve respect,for the simple reason that they tend to find themsleves in places where people will encounter the,like shoes,bedding,clothing,and other places we neglect to inspect,before use everyday,but I just don't think they have anything other venomous species don't,that make them more of a risk to the pet trade and the masses.

 

[Stylopidae]

It's VERY seldom you'll hear me say something like this so take note:

I think that it would be irresponsible of anyone to attempt to introduce the sydney funnel web spider into the pet trade. Not just because they're tremendously venomous but also because it's the males (who wander) who are so venomous. Imagine if they got established somewhere like that B vagans colony did in Florida. now imagine that it happened in a suburban or urban area rather than a remote orchard somewhere.

Nobody needs deadly-venomous creatures introduced to their area. This is one of those "Just because we COULD doesn't mean we SHOULD.

Now flame away y'all. I'm sure not everybody will agree with me on this.

I don't think it would be as bad as you think.

Consider this...Phoneutria ssp. have recently been imported to the states and are becoming popular.

Large, fast, defensive, incredibly venomous and known to have over 1,000 slings per sac.

Atrax is the least of my worries for an environmental disaster.

 

[Fenrir]

That said,accidents can happen...so what if someone loses a few mambas in Florida...they could terrorize the place and kill lots of people,but you can still buy them.

So what?! I live in Florida... i dont want any mambas to go along with the iguanas and pythons. You can also buy a gun and bullets but that doesnt mean you have to shoot someone with it.

 

[Brettus]

I think that it would be irresponsible of anyone to attempt to introduce the sydney funnel web spider into the pet trade. Not just because they're tremendously venomous but also because it's the males (who wander) who are so venomous. Imagine if they got established somewhere like that B vagans colony did in Florida. now imagine that it happened in a suburban or urban area rather than a remote orchard somewhere.

Well thats it, the game is up:wall: You discovered our Aussie plot-get Atrax on the loose in Florida as the vanguard of a funnel-web invasion of the States. A funnel-web government would be installed once the populace was in submission and AUSSIES WOULD RULE THE WORLD!!

 

[Venom]

I don't think it would be as bad as you think.

Consider this...Phoneutria ssp. have recently been imported to the states and are becoming popular.

Large, fast, defensive, incredibly venomous and known to have over 1,000 slings per sac.

Atrax is the least of my worries for an environmental disaster.

Yeah, but Phoneutria could not survive in most of the USA if release/ escaped. They require such tropical and moist conditions, winter would annihilate any population just about anywhere in the USA. *Perhaps* the deep south could sustain a population, but it's unlikely. Atrax/ Hadronyche, by contrast, can endure very dry conditions, as well as cooler temps, making much of the southwest available for colonization. In any case, A/H funnelwebs are FAR too toxic to have milling around a pet hobby. They'd have to be restricted to the expert keepers, which would be difficult to regulate. Same is true of Sicarius, IMO.

 

[Stylopidae]

Yeah, but Phoneutria could not survive in most of the USA if release/ escaped. They require such tropical and moist conditions, winter would annihilate any population just about anywhere in the USA. *Perhaps* the deep south could sustain a population, but it's unlikely. Atrax/ Hadronyche, by contrast, can endure very dry conditions, as well as cooler temps, making much of the southwest available for colonization. In any case, A/H funnelwebs are FAR too toxic to have milling around a pet hobby. They'd have to be restricted to the expert keepers, which would be difficult to regulate. Same is true of Sicarius, IMO.

But with colonies of B. vagans popping up in Florida, do you really think it's worth a risk either way?

I'm not saying there's no danger of Atrax or Hadronyche becoming established, just that Phoneutria worries me more especially because both genders have somewhat more mobile lifestyles than Atrax. Female Atrax aren't a huge deal because they're normally restricted to burrows. Males would be almost as problematic as Phoneutria, but the size of the sacs (IMO) is the deciding factor.

I could see Phoneutria establishing themselves in Florida and some of the more tropical areas of the southern US pretty easily.

That being said since Atrax and Hadronyche aren't avalible to us here in the US, I really haven't bothered to look into their care requirements.

Think they'd be out-competed by some of our native fauna?

 

[Stefan2209]

Yeah, but Phoneutria could not survive in most of the USA if release/ escaped. They require such tropical and moist conditions,

Olá,

interesting...

But not correct, to a breeders opinion and experience:

Phoneutria sacs can be incubated at least in temperatures ranging from 20°C to up to 42°C.
Both documented extreme values have been used here successfully for producing offspring.

In regard of sensitiveness of young specimens...

I have raised slings of P. nigriventer and P. keyserlingi with both afforementioned temperature extremes and with moisture levels ranging from 100% down to not even 40% (and: NO, i didn´t supply a water dish).
The spiders can tolerate this for quite some time apparently without taking any damage.

You might be right about your winter weather conditions, though, but this said, you have to keep in mind that these spiders are highly agile and will seek spots with appropriate climatic values if the weather wouldn´t be to their liking.

In regard of several US states at least the mentioned species P. nigriventer and P. keyserlingi are to my opinion and experience without any doubt capable to thrive in the wild.

These spiders are pretty adaptive....

Take care!

Greetings,

Stefan

 

[hamfoto]

There are Australian Hexathelidae here in the U.S. But, the people that have them are never going to put them on the "market" because of the risk they pose. They would be distributed to experienced, capable, responsible keepers...so don't get your hopes up.
Also, just because the male Atrax robustus is "more" venomous, doesn't mean the female doesn't have strong venom. And there are other Hexathelidae that could be just as venomous. And the venom strength switches in different species, with the females being "more" venomous than males in some and males "more" venomous in others...

Chris

 

[arachnophoria]

I think responsibilty is impossible to monitor.I think there are plenty of species,not just dangerous,but ones that just don't do well in captive conditions that are owned and exploited by irresponsible hobbiest everyday.Other considerations are that the definition and practice of being responsible will vary by opinion.I see everyone's point about why a venomous funnel web should be denied entrance to to the hobby,but I fail to see why the same logic isn't applied to other deadly species.While I am no expert and will forever remain a student of other life forms that I choose to share my life and home with,I do consider myself responsible.
For me being responsible with a venomous animal involves and hands off approach to keeping,locked and labled enclosures,being 100% informed,tracking down and available store of antivenom,if available(like a zoo or aquairum),keeping the room the creature is kept in secure to minimize it leaving,if it does make it out of the enclosure,being prepared to eliminate/terminate said creature,if its escape is gaurenteed,rather than allow it to get away(bomb the house and hope you get it),and for me,if I lost a venomous animal,I'd take a picture to my neighbors and tell them to be alert and why.That is all in addition to being a good caretaker to the animal in question.
I realize this is not a perfect world and having rights comes at a price,that soem things can not be restricted,but I strongly feel that if I want a funnel web,I am no different than anyone wanting to keep a fat tailed scorpion,mamba,cobra,or any other manner of dangerous/venomous animal.
I guess the point to my original question was to establish if it was Sydney's policy on export that keeps them out of hobbiest hands,and that policy being different than other Australian cities,that allow whistleing spiders,and fat taileds out.I would not be suprised if Australia used the risk imposed my exporting funnel webs as a means to thier decision,but certainly that was not the only reason.

 

[Frédérick]

I'm pretty sure the exports are limited to researchers or any accredited keeper...BUT there are obviously leaks somewhere and you probably can find some of those, just keep in mind this means a LOT of research and patience!

 

[Jon3800]

Are these ever available?If not,can anyone enlighten me as to why.I would be interested in aquiring some.

you are quite daring my friend. I have 33 tarantulas and there's no way I would deal with funnel webs let alone some Australian Ts, of which I can buy at anytime.