The Funnel web Hunter. Atrax - robustus. Sydney, Australia

We need your help...
Male Funnel webs spiders are NOW on the move as of today. Collected two this morning. One from Darkes Forrest and one from Engadine.

If you can safely trap and contain a funnel web spider that you've come across, The Australian Reptile Park would love to be able to add them to their lifesaving venom milking and breeding programs.
Please check the Australian Reptile Park's website for dropoff points and if you cannot get to one, please message to see if pickup is an option.

Hello everyone. The male Funnel web spiders are NOW on the move after yesterday's heatwave. Keep your eyes on the look out. If you can safely catch them please do as I was at the Australian Reptile Park yesterday dropping off this female and they're in desperate need of the males as they can only venom milk the males. So the males are priority but they are still asking for females and their eggsacks are needed.
I recently picked up a nice big healthy female that was unearthed in Heathcote East. I added a 50c coin as a size reference. Enlarge the coin to actual size to see her true size.
I have a Non-contact handling post as a pinned post at the top of the page so you can familiarise yourselves on what need to be done in order to lower the risks of getting bitten.
Thankyou..

Hello everyone,
It's that time of year once again.
It's funnel web spider season and I have been asked to put a callout for the collection of funnel webs and their eggsacks. The Australian Reptile Park can only make use of three species of funnel web spiders from within the Atrax genus (A.robustus, A.montanus & A.christenseni). All other species cannot be used and safe relocation is best option for those that cannot.
As the males are the only s*x that can be venom milked, they'll be directly added to the milking program while the females, spiderlings and eggsacks get added to their breeding program.
If you are confident that you can safely catch the spider and/or carefully contain one of their eggsacks if and when found, please do.
If you come across one of their eggsacks, even better as numbers are down and they really need more stock to replenish their supplies for their lifesaving antivenom program.

Here is some important information regarding the safe Non-contact handling of these Dangerously Venomous Spiders.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JUw9UoZY1/

Here is some great information from Emma, one of the spiderkeepers at the Australian Reptile Park.
This is regarding the newly described Atrax christenseni (The Newcastle funnel web spider). This species is named after Kane for his dedication at the ARP & his passion for funnel web spiders.
Hopefully this can answer a few of the questions I am also receiving, thankyou..

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18ubuLPVAG/

Emma's here to answer all your questions on the new funnel web spider species! 🕷 If you have more questions, ask them in the comments and we'll answer them! 👍 Follow @emmateni_spiders for more spider content! #funnelwebspider #funnelweb #spider #spiders #newspecies #qna #ama

Ok, I am receiving many messages asking all about the "new" species of Sydney funnel web spider.
Ben from the Goulburn Region Spider Seekers has kindly composed a detailed post with all the relevant and important information.
When you have time, please take a moment to have a read as it is very well written and explains it all in the greatest detail.
(Thankyou Ben for all the hard work you've put into making this post and also for making it shareable🙏)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14TdUD91Xg/

01:30, 23/12
I received a message from a lady saying we have a male funnel web spider in our home, in Woronora Heights 2233, please help !
They managed to put a container over it to trap the spider (Great move).
After a few messages regarding what to do from that point to safely secure the funnel web, it was easier and safer for all if I was to go there right now and assist them. I understand everyone is an individual and will be at a different levels of spider acceptance, tolerance, fears (& phobias) and knowledge.
When I arrived the lady and her husband were very appreciative of me coming to help them at that time of night. I was escorted to the backroom where the spider is. I bend down and casually swapped it into one of my containers, had a quick chat and was on my way so they could finally relax and get some sleep.
Another male funnel web spider secured for the Australian Reptile Park's life saving, funnel web spider Venom Milking program.
Thankyou 🙏

Please message for identification confirmations, advice, property searches and possible collections.

🎉 The brand-new Weigel Venom Centre is now open!! 🎉 This state-of-the-art venom facility will help us save around 300 lives each and every year, plus help educate the public on venomous snakes for years to come! Come check it out for yourself right now at the Australian Reptile Park 🐍 #australianreptilepark #snakes #snake #australiansnake #aussiesnakes #venomoussnakes #savinglives

I wasn't sure if I originally shared this article here but after some checking, I've released that I haven't.
I often get asked what's the best way to safely lower the number of these (& other ground dwelling/burrowing) spiders from entering your houses and I usually send them this article that I did for 9honey.
It has some good information covering most ground dwelling/burrowing spiders.

Expert shares tips to keep spiders out of your home Spider season is upon us - here's what an expert suggests to keep them out of your homeBy Chantelle Bozicevic| 6 months agoSpider season is officially here and we've already seen our eight-legged friends starting to come out to play. When it comes to living in Australia, spiders are just a part of l...

Unfortunately rehabilitation doesn't work all the time. He could've just been out of time.
(Male A.robustus)