What is the most poisonous spider in the world? The most poisonous spider in the world is an Australian arachnid known as " Sydney spider ", although it is also mistakenly called "Sydney tarantula". It is considered the most poisonous spider in the world and also one of the most dangerous animals in Australia.
The venom of this spider can cause serious illness and even death, although it is not often instantaneous, so there is a way to survive, which we explain on our site.
The most dangerous spider in the world
The Sydney spider or Atrax robustus is considered the most dangerous spider in Australia, but also in the world. It is located at a ratio around 160 km from Sydney and has killed 15 people in 60 years, specifically between the 1920s and 1980s, according to official records.
This spider is responsible for more bites than the redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti), of the black widow family. In addition, it is not only known for its bite, which is considered the strongest of all spiders, it is also one of the most aggressive
Why is it so dangerous?
It is considered the most poisonous spider in the world because its venom is twice as powerful as cyanide, the male being much more dangerous than the female. In comparison, the male is 6 times more toxic than female spiders or juvenile spiders, which do not have venom.
The high toxicity of this spider is due to a toxin called Delta atracotoxin (robustotoxin), a potent neurotoxic polypeptide. The sharp fangs of the spider can even penetrate the nails or the leather of the shoes, so it is a very painful bite that, added to the acid poison, causes serious discomfort. It also leaves very clear and visible marks.
Sydney spider venom attacks the nervous system and affects every organ in the body. Males of this species primarily attack people and primates. Just 0.2 mg for every kg of weight is enough to end a person's life.
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Another lethal factor may be that the spider keeps biting until it separates from the skin. As a result, the arachnid can inject a large amount of venom, causing very serious he alth problems.
After 10 or 30 minutes, breathing and the circulatory system start to malfunction, and muscle spasms, tearing or digestive tract dysfunction may appear. A person can die within 60 minutes after being bitten if left unattended.
What to do if bitten by the Sydney spider?
The antidote to the spider bite was discovered in 1981 and since then there have been no further human victims. As a curiosity we can point out that 70 venom extractions are required to achieve a single dose of antidote.
If the spider has bitten us on an extremity it will be very important make a tourniquet, which we must loosen every 10 minutes so as not to lose blood supply, which could cause us to lose the limb. Then, if possible, try to catch the spider and rush to the hospital.
In any case, prevention is much more effective than applying first aid. Avoid touching any spiders or investigating burrows. We recommend working with protective gloves and shoes and dusting the tent before entering during the holidays.
How to identify a Sydney spider?
The Latin name of this spider reveals its robust constitution and it is a strong and resistant arachnid. It belongs to the Hexathelidae family, which has more than 30 subspecies.
The females of this species are notably larger than the males, while they measure between 6 and 7 cm, the males usually only reach 5 cm. In terms of longevity, the female spiders win once again. While they can reach 8 years or more, the males live much less.
This spider displays a hairless, blue-black head and thorax. In addition, it highlights his shiny appearance and his brown abs, which have small hairs.
It is important to note that the Sydney spider has a similar appearance to other Australian spiders, such as those belonging to the genus Missulena, the common black spider (Badumna insignis) or spiders belonging to the family of the Ctenizidae.
The Sydney spider produces a painful sting with intense itching, this is because it is a Mygalomorphae spider, which has the fangs pointing downwards (like tarantulas) instead of the cross pincer style.
More about the Sydney spider
Habitat
The Sydney spider is endemic to Australia and can be found from inland Lithgow to the Sydney coast, but can also be found in New South Wales. It is more common to find inland than on the coast, as they prefer sand where they can burrow and live.
Feeding
This is a spider carnivorous that feeds on different types of insects, such as cockroaches, beetles, snails or centipedes, but also can feed on frogs and lizards.
Behaviour
Generally males are more solitary than females. They stay in one place, forming colonies of more than 100 spiders, while the males prefer an independent life.
This is a nocturnal spider, since it does not tolerate heat well. Also, it is important to note that they do not usually enter homes unless their burrow is flooded, but even then, if we do not disturb them, there is little chance that they will try to attack us.
