Photo credits
Rosie Steinberg CC BY 4.0 · User:Tirin CC BY-SA 3.0 · dreworme CC BY 4.0 · sofiazed1 CC BY 4.0
Atrax robustus group
How to Identify a Funnel-Web Spider in Australia
Glossy, robust, dark NSW spider associated with silk-lined burrows around the Sydney region and nearby eastern NSW.
First aid / what to do now
- Call 000 immediately for suspected funnel-web or mouse spider bite.
- Keep the person as still as possible and do not let them walk around.
- Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the bitten limb if trained and available.
- Splint the limb to reduce movement and wait for emergency help.
- Do not cut the wound, apply a tourniquet, or delay care while trying to identify the spider.
This site cannot diagnose a bite. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice in Australia call 13 11 26.
How to identify the Sydney funnel-web spider
- Glossy dark body
- Robust build with strong front legs
- Often near a silk-lined burrow or damp sheltered area
- NSW range clue: Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and nearby eastern NSW areas
Danger level
Medical emergency potential
What to check next
Check whether the NSW range, burrow or pool-filter clue, shiny dark body and robust build all fit. Do not handle it.
When to seek medical help
Suspected funnel-web bite should be treated as urgent. Call 000 for serious symptoms and seek emergency care immediately.
Where the Sydney funnel-web spider is usually seen in Australia
Damp gardens, burrows, logs, rockeries, pool filters and sheltered NSW habitats, especially around Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong records.
How it differs from lookalikes
These comparisons are clues, not a confirmed species ID. Use several features together: body shape, size, location, web type and behaviour.
- Blue Mountains funnel-web spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether the NSW range, burrow or pool-filter clue, shiny dark body and robust build all fit. Do not handle it. For the other possibility, check: Check the region, burrow clues and whether the spider is glossy and heavy-bodied. Do not handle it.
- Port Macquarie funnel-web spiderMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether the NSW range, burrow or pool-filter clue, shiny dark body and robust build all fit. Do not handle it. For the other possibility, check: Check whether the spider was found near damp ground, a retreat or pool area in the Port Macquarie region.
- Australian funnel-web spidersMay overlap because of same region, similar size, similar colour. For this spider, check: Check whether the NSW range, burrow or pool-filter clue, shiny dark body and robust build all fit. Do not handle it. For the other possibility, check: Check region, burrow clues and body shape. If a bite occurred, do not wait for perfect identification.
Common comparisons
People often compare this spider with similar Australian spiders. These quick links help you check the closest alternatives.
Compare this spider by state
Use the state guides to compare this spider with other local possibilities.
Similar spiders to compare
Compare this spider with these likely lookalikes before settling on an identification.
Blue Mountains funnel-web spiderMedical emergency potentialsame region, similar size, similar colour
Port Macquarie funnel-web spiderMedical emergency potentialsame region, similar size, similar colour
Australian funnel-web spidersMedical emergency potentialsame region, similar size, similar colour
Darling Downs funnel-web spiderMedical emergency potentialsimilar size, similar colour, similar placeNext useful checks
Still trying to identify this spider?
Use these quick paths if the Sydney funnel-web spider is only one possible match. They help compare photo clues, local spider pages, bite guidance and similar Australian spiders.
Reference notes
How this guide stays cautious
Spider Identifier Australia uses visible clues to suggest likely possibilities. It is not a medical diagnosis or a formal species determination.
- Australian Museum spider informationAustralian spider identification, biology and dangerous spider context.
- Australian Museum funnel-web spidersFunnel-web range, identification and bite-safety context.
- Poisons Information CentreCall 13 11 26 for poisons advice from anywhere in Australia.
- healthdirect spider bitesAustralian spider bite first aid, emergency signs and white-tail bite evidence.
- Australian Museum redback spiderRedback identification, web clues and Australian distribution.
- Australian Museum spiders in the house and gardenCommon Australian house and garden spider context.
Common questions
Sydney funnel-web spider FAQ
Is the Sydney funnel-web spider dangerous?
Danger level: Medical emergency potential. Suspected funnel-web bite should be treated as urgent. Call 000 for serious symptoms and seek emergency care immediately.
How do I identify the Sydney funnel-web spider?
Check the visible body shape, size, colour, markings, location and web or hiding place. Key clues include: Glossy dark body; Robust build with strong front legs; Often near a silk-lined burrow or damp sheltered area; NSW range clue: Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and nearby eastern NSW areas.
What should I do if I think I was bitten by a Sydney funnel-web spider?
Call 000. Keep the person still. Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the bitten limb if trained, splint the limb, and get urgent emergency care.
Where is the Sydney funnel-web spider usually found?
Damp gardens, burrows, logs, rockeries, pool filters and sheltered NSW habitats, especially around Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong records.
What spiders look similar to the Sydney funnel-web spider?
Common lookalikes can overlap in colour, size, web type or habitat. Use the similar spiders and common comparisons on this page to check alternatives before settling on a match.
Can I identify the Sydney funnel-web spider by photo?
A photo can help if it shows the whole spider, markings, size and where it was found. For the Sydney funnel-web spider, also compare the checklist clues and what to check next rather than relying on colour alone.