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Spider Drop Off

We accept public donations of Sydney funnel-web spiders and their egg sacs for our life-saving venom program

Wanted: Funnel-Webs and their Egg Sacs

We’re on the lookout for funnel-webs and their egg sacs to help grow our funnel-web spider population for our lifesaving venom program! Egg Sacs contain up to 150 little spiders that will be raised here at the Australian Reptile Park for the collection of their venom, which is used to create vital anti-venom.

If you’re out in the garden and you spot a funnel-web or their egg sac, please follow the instructions below and collect it!
You will be helping us to save lives through our funnel-web spider venom program.

How to Collect a Funnel Web Egg Sac:

1. Get a spoon with long handle and a container with a secure lid

2. Using the spoon, gently scoop the egg sac into the container – be cautious of adult spiders in the area/nest

3. Place the egg sac into the container with a small amount of damp soil and secure the lid tightly

4. If there is an adult funnel-web spider and you feel confident to collect it, please follow the instructions below and keep the spider and egg sac in separate jars

Bring the jar/s to Australian Reptile Park as soon as possible!

Our Keepers will also be on the lookout for funnel-web egg sacs in key suburbs on the Central Coast. If you live in Wyoming, Ourimbah, Matcham or Terrigal, you may get a visit from Keepers looking to explore your backyard!

What To Know About Spiders

There are 5 spiders that regularly cause concern in the Greater Sydney area. Of these, only funnel-web spiders and red back spiders are currently considered dangerous but others like the mouse spider, is rarely encountered yet 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:

1. Do not leave clothes, shoes, towels, etc. on the floor

2. Check shoes before putting them on

3. Do not walk about at night without footwear

4. Do not handle spiders that appear to have drowned in pools, buckets, etc.

5. Wear gloves when gardening or working outside

6. Never touch a spider with your bare hands

7. Funnel-web spiders cannot climb up smooth pored surfaces (plastic, glass)

8. Funnel web spiders cannot jump

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Funnel-Web Spider and Egg Sac Drop-Off Points

The Australian Reptile Park is the main location for funnel-web spider and egg sac drop offs. However, if you can't get to the Park, there are a variety of drop off locations between Sydney to Newcastle

Central Coast

SUBURBCOLLECTION POINT AREAHOURS
GosfordGosford Hospital Racecourse Rd, GosfordPathologyMon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat/Sun 9am-3pm
GosfordVital First Aid 30 Glennie St, GosfordFront Desk Mon-Fri 9:30am- 4pm
SomersbyAustralian Reptile Park Pacific Way, SomersbyReceptionMon-Fri 9am- 5pm
WyomingWyoming Veterinary Hospital 24 Cary Street, WyomingVet Rooms Mon-Fri 8am-7pm Sat 8am-3pm Sun 8am-12pm
WyongWyong Hospital Pacific Highway, WyongEmergency24hrs 7 days

Sydney

SUBURBCOLLECTION POINT AREAHOURS
BrookvaleGreencross Vets Inside Pet Barn 60 Winbourne Rd, BrookvaleReceptionMon-Wed/Fri8:30am-7pm Thu 8:30am–8pm Sat 9am-3pm Sun 9am-12pm
Caringbah Sutherland Hospital The Kingsway, CaringbahEmergency24hrs 7 days
HornsbyHornsby Hospital Palmerston Rd, HornsbyEmergency24hrs 7 days
HelensburghSymbio Wildlife Park 7/11 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, HelensburghReceptionMon-Sun 9.30am-5pm
MonavaleMona Vale Veterinary Hospital 22 Park St, Mona ValeReceptionMon-Fri 8-7pm Sat 8-12pm
Terrey HillsNorthside Emergency Veterinary Service 16 Myoora Road, Terrey HillsReception24hrs 7 days
WestmeadWestmead Hospital Cnr Hawkesbury Road and, Darcy Rd, Westmead NSWEmergencyMon-Fri 8am-4pm
WindsorHawkesbury City Council George St, WindsorCustomer Service DeskMon-Fri 9.00am-4pm

Newcastle

SUBURBCOLLECTION POINT AREAHOURS
BroadmeadowAnimal Referral & Emergency Centre 4 Lang Rd, BroadmeadowReception24hrs, 7 days
New Lambton HeightsJohn Hunter Hospital Lookout Rd, New Lambton HeightsPathology Level 2Weekdays only 8am-5pm