Tura Beach residents are warned to keep an eye out for funnel-web spiders after one was found on Sunday morning.
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Luke Ryan was taking his dog for a walk on Sunday morning along the walking track to the Lions Club lookout platform at Tura Beach, when he noticed a spider in the middle of the track.
“Though spiders are not foreign to me - this bloke stood out due to it's jet-black colouration and size,” Mr Ryan said.
“I've heard storied of funnel webs in the area but this was my first sighting in Tura Beach.”
“It was approximately 2.5cm - 3cm with a slightly lighter coloured bum. I snapped a quick photo on my phone and shuffled it into the scrub.
“Having lived in the area since 1988, I've heard storied of funnel webs in the area but this was my first sighting in Tura Beach.”
Australian National University’s funnel-web spider expert Professor David Rowell said funnel-webs are very common around the Merimbula region.
“They are very common down there but it is unusual for them to be seen, especially during the day,” Mr Rowell said.
Australian funnel-webs are one of the most dangerous groups of spiders in the world because of their highly venomous bite.
While funnel-webs usually live underground, Mr Rowell said during the warmer months male funnel-webs tend to wander looking for mates.
“They search for females at night and usually hide somewhere warm during the day, it is incredibly unusual to see them out in the open like that.
“Funnel-webs really are very common in south-eastern Australia but what is amazing is how few people have been bitten.”
Funnelwebs can act very aggressively if disturbed, although contrary to common mythology, they cannot jump.
Mr Rowell said it is important to be aware that they are present in the local region and to take reasonable precautions including:
- Always shake out your shoes before putting them on,
- Avoid leaving clothes or towels on the floor,
- Wear shoes when you're playing outside and also at night.
- Always wear gloves when gardening.