The Australian Reptile Park accepts public donations of funnel-web spiders for our spider venom program. Learn how to catch a funnel-web and find a drop-off point near you.
What You Need To Know About Spiders
There are five spiders that regularly cause concern to members of the public in this area. Of these only the funnel-web spiders and red back spiders are currently considered dangerous though there are others, such as mouse spiders, which are rarely encountered but potentially dangerous. Any spider larger in size than a dollar coin should be treated with respect, as all spiders have venom glands, though only the large species have fangs able to puncture human skin. The following safety rules apply to all spiders:
- Do not leave clothes, shoes, towels, etc. on the floor
- Check shoes before putting them on
- Do not walk about at night without footwear
- Do not handle spiders that appear to have drowned in pools, buckets, etc.
- Wear gloves when gardening or working outside
- Never touch a spider with your bare hands
- Funnel-web spiders cannot climb up smooth pored surfaces (plastic, glass)
- Funnel web spiders cannot jump
How To Catch A Funnel-Web Spider
Funnel-Web Spider Drop-Off Points
The Australian Reptile Park is the main location for funnel-web spider drop offs. However, if you are unable to get to the Park, there are a variety of drop off points you can take the spider to:
Central Coast
SUBURB | COLLECTION POINT | AREA | HOURS |
---|---|---|---|
Gosford | Gosford Hospital Racecourse Rd, Gosford |
Pathology | Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat/Sun 9am-3pm |
Gosford | Vital First Aid 30 Glennie St, Gosford |
Front Desk | Mon-Fri 9:30am- 4pm |
Somersby | Australian Reptile Park Pacific Way, Somersby |
Reception | Mon-Fri 9am- 5pm |
Wyoming | Wyoming Veterinary Hospital 24 Cary Street, Wyoming |
Vet Rooms | Mon-Fri 8am-7pm Sat 8am-3pm Sun 8am-12pm |
Wyong | Wyong Hospital Pacific Highway, Wyong |
Emergency | Â 24hrs 7 days |
Newcastle
SUBURB | COLLECTION POINT | AREA | HOURS |
---|---|---|---|
Broadmeadow | Animal Referral & Emergency Centre 4 Lang Rd, Broadmeadow |
Reception | 24hrs, 7 days |
New Lambton Heights | John Hunter Hospital Lookout Rd, New Lambton Heights |
Pathology Level 2 | Weekdays only 8am-5pm |
Sydney
SUBURB | COLLECTION POINT | AREA | HOURS |
---|---|---|---|
Brookvale | Greencross Vets Inside Pet Barn 60 Winbourne Rd, Brookvale |
Reception | Mon-Wed/Fri8:30am-7pm Thu 8:30am–8pm Sat 9am-3pm Sun 9am-12pm |
Caringbah | Sutherland Hospital The Kingsway, Caringbah |
Emergency | 24hrs 7 days |
Hornsby | Hornsby Hospital Palmerston Rd, Hornsby |
Reception & Emergency | 24hrs 7 days |
Helensburgh | Symbio Wildlife Park 7/11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Helensburgh |
Reception | Mon-Sun 9.30am-5pm |
Monavale | Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital 22 Park St, Mona Vale |
Reception | Mon-Fri 8-7pm Sat 8-12pm |
Terrey Hills | Northside Emergency Veterinary Service 335 Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills |
Reception | 24hrs 7 days |
Westmead | Westmead Public Hospital (not currently accepting donations during Greater Sydney lockdown) Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Darcy Rd, Westmead |
Entomology Department | Mon-Fri 9-5pm |
Windsor | Hawkesbury City Council George St, Windsor |
Customer Service Desk | Mon-Fri 9.00am-4pm |