Tree Funnel Web Spider

Hadronyche Cerberea

Appearance

Image of Tree Funnel Web Spider (Hadronyche cererea) | Rentokil Pest Control Australia
  • A large, bulky spider, with females reaching over 35mm in body length and males around 25mm
  • The head region is characteristically glossy black, while the abdomen is dark brown or purplish in colour. The body and legs are covered with fine hairs

Lifecycle

  • Males reach sexual maturity at four years of age, females a year later
  • The female produces an egg sac containing a hundred or so eggs and stores this in her burrow until the spiderlings hatch
  • Males usually die some 6-8 months after reaching maturity, while females may continue to breed for several more years
  • Males usually die after mating

Habits

  • The habits of Tree Funnel Web spiders are similar to the Funnel Web (see Funnel Web spider) but it lives predominantly in trees
  • Their main diet consists of insects, although items as large as frogs and lizards may also be taken
  • Funnel Web bites may be fatal to humans