Nick, I'd prefer to have none of them in my wellies!

To all those scared of spiders you have the right to be
Getting bitten by a black widow is VERY painful for about 2 weeks(feels like you have run over by a bus, I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

You're far too nice, i think it would be great for worst enemies:lol::lol::lol::lol:

It aint the Redback u need to worry about really although they are prolific in OZ mainly around water outles taps etc..its the Funnel web that is the killer luckily only found in certain parts of OZ.......

Huntsman and wolf spiders are big enough to carry you...a bit like a quad.......

I wouldn't say that Phil!! Redbacks will make you a very sick boy and you need to watch out for them because they are bloody everywhere!! They can kill a small child if not treated quickly enough, and I have small children and I found redbacks all round my place in Brisbane, we get it fumigated annually.

You're right about the funnel webs though, much nastier venom but fortunately not as widespread. Although brown snakes are ... all over the place where I grew up around the Gold Coast and in Brisbane.

I lived brisbane for 7 years dude ( ascot )...........i was looking at it from a male dsc perspective..u r absolutely right a redback biting a child or elderly person is deadly....

every other weekend in the glasshouse mountains on the cr500...surfing at noosa point .........mmmmmm

Phil

Death by redback is rare, and nearly all the males are just too small to get their jaws into human flesh. The females, while bigger than the males, are also mostly too small to get a good enough grip on flesh.
The effects of a bite are pretty much determined by the amount of venom they manage to inject - If the little critter manages to properly penetrate then you're going to need antivenom to survive, but most bites are only effective enough to cause a shed load of pain and sickness.

End of lesson... were you paying attention charlotte?!!!

Oh dear, I think I've been watching too much steve irwin!

[Edited on 24-11-2004 by NBs996]

"but most bites are only effective enough to cause a shed load of pain and sickness."
On the other hand if you are surfing in the 'Territories and a salty takes a fancy to you that could spoil your whole day.............:lol:
Basically I think Auz is one of gods little jokes-you create an island paradise, only make it nice and large for variety-then fill it with all manner of 'crawling nasties', oh, and just for good measure surround it with, in no particular order, great whites, Tiger sharks, hammerheads, salties, and lets not forget, Box jellyfish-and we wonder why most Auzzies can't wait to move to Earls Court..........:lol::lol::lol:

John

Too true monty...
...which is probably why we shipped all our crims out there.
Only problem is, they keep coming back and finding refuge in twickenham!

I'll be having strong words with you tomorrow night Nick!

So I guess these comments kind of confirm what I was saying about redbacks - do worry about them, they will make you sick! A child or an elderly person could be killed without antivenom. Funnel webs are indeed nastier however. Along with crocs, sharks etc. But, the only thing that will actively look to make you a meal would be a croc. A shark wouldn't - unless it was injured or you inadvertently triggered a defense mechanism in it. And snakes and spiders will do a runner when they 'feel' you coming. Unless you back them into a corner or make them feel threatened they generally go about their business.

The thing about all our nasties in Oz is that it helps make you good at sport - better reflexes, ovservation skills etc

:D ;)