Funnel-web spider breeding season has arrived early at the Australian Reptile Park with a major development: four egg sacs have already been laid at the Park’s dedicated Funnel-web Spider Breeding Facility. Each sac contains up to 150 spiderlings that will one day contribute to the Park’s life-saving venom program.
Laid earlier than expected, the egg sacs are now being incubated by the Park’s expert team. Once hatched, the spiderlings will be raised to adulthood. Male spiders will join the Park’s venom program, while females will be carefully released back into the wild.
With recent rainfall across the region, male funnel-webs are more likely to be on the move searching for mates or new shelter. Females may also be laying sacs at this time. This means Australians are at greater risk of encountering these highly venomous spiders in backyards, sheds, pool filters, and even inside homes.
The Park is urgently calling on the public to safely collect and donate any live funnel-web spiders or egg sacs they find. Donations can be made directly to the Park or to one of the many drop-off locations across Greater Sydney. These contributions are vital to the program, which has ensured there have been no deaths from a funnel-web bite in more than 40 years.
Spider Keeper Emma Teni highlighted the critical importance of community involvement:
“Funnel-web breeding season is almost here and we need Australians to stay vigilant. Each egg sac contains around 150 spiderlings, and every single one of those baby spiders will grow up to contribute venom to our program. That venom is turned into antivenom – and that antivenom saves lives. Handing in a spider or egg sac literally makes you a life-saver.”
Sydney funnel-web spiders typically seek cool, humid hiding places such as under rocks, logs, and garden debris. Indoors, they are often found in laundries, garages, or even shoes left outside. The Park urges Australians to exercise caution, always check shoes before putting them on, and keep clothing and washing off the floor.
Thanks to the Australian Reptile Park’s world-first funnel-web breeding facility, spiders and egg sacs donated by the public are carefully incubated, hatched, and raised for venom extraction. The venom is then supplied to CSL Seqirus, the sole producer of funnel-web antivenom, helping save hundreds of lives nationwide.
The Park also reminds the public that in the event of a bite, it is critical to know your first aid. Stay calm, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage immediately, and seek urgent medical care.
“With the public’s help, we can ensure that no Australian ever dies from a funnel-web spider bite again,” Emma concluded.
The Australian Reptile Park remains the only supplier of funnel-web venom used to create antivenom. Since the program began in 1981, countless lives have been saved, and there has not been a single recorded death from a funnel-web bite in Australia. Watch the video below for more information!