Mouse spider and funnel-web are two different spiders that are mainly found in the Australian continent. The mouse spider is often mistaken for the funnel-web spider.
The key difference between mouse spider and funnel-web is their spinnerets. Mouse spider is a spider that has comparatively shorter spinnerets, while funnel-web is a spider that has much longer spinnerets.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Mouse Spiders
3. What are Funnel-Web Spiders
4. Similarities – Mouse Spider and Funnel-Web
5. Mouse Spider vs Funnel-Web Spider in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Mouse Spider and Funnel-Web Spider
7. Summary – Mouse Spider vs Funnel-Web Spider
What are Mouse Spiders?
Mouse spiders are found in the Australian continent. The venom of this spider is known to cause severe illness, similar to a red-back spider. These spiders are not aggressive. In fact, the male mouse spider will only bite if it is provoked. A medium to large mouse spider is 35 mm in body length. The male mouse spider has a bright red head and elongated fangs.
Figure 01: Mouse Spider
The habitats of mouse spiders are burrows more than 1 meter deep. Furthermore, the male often wanders about during the day on open ground, especially after the rain is over. If these spiders bite, first aid and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible due to venom toxicity, especially to young children.
What are Funnel-Web Spiders?
Funnel-web are spiders mainly found in Sydney, New South Wales, and Victoria regions of Australia. These spiders are one of the world’s most deadly spiders. Both the male and female carry atraxotoxin. The mature male funnel-web spiders will wander around during hot, humid nights, looking for mates.
Figure 02: Funnel-Web
The body length of the adult male is 25 mm, and the female is 30 mm. They are shiny black in color with a dark purplish brown abdomen and reddish hairs. Furthermore, the unique attributes of these spiders include their long spinnerets and the spur that is on the 2 legs of the males. Atraxotoxin is one of the world’s most dangerous toxins. If these spiders bite, the patient should be immediately hospitalized.
Similarities Between Mouse Spider and Funnel-Web
- Mouse spider and funnel-web are two spiders mainly found in the Australian continent.
- Both spiders have a similar appearance.
- Both spiders have higher venom toxicity.
- If these spiders bite, the patient should be immediately hospitalized.
Difference Between Mouse Spider and Funnel-Web
Definition
- Mouse spider is a spider that has comparatively shorter appendages on the end of the abdomen.
- Funnel-web is a spider that has comparatively longer appendages on the end of the abdomen.
Commonness
- Mouse spiders are less common.
- Funnel-web spiders are more common.
Distribution
- Mouse spiders are mainly found in mainland Australia.
- Funnel-web spiders are mainly found in Sydney, New South Wales, and Victoria.
Appearance
- The mouse spider’s body length is around 35mm; the male mouse spider has a bright red head and elongated fangs.
- Funnel-web spider’s body length is 25 mm to 30 mm, and it has a shiny black in color body with a dark purplish brown abdomen and reddish hairs, long spinnerets, and the spur that is on the 2 legs of males.
Aggressiveness
- Mouse spiders are less aggressive.
- Funnel-web spiders are highly aggressive.
Active Time
- Mouse spider wanders about during the day on open ground, especially after rain.
- Funnel-web spiders will wander around during hot, humid nights.
Examples
- Eastern mouse spider, red-headed mouse spider, and Northern mouse spider.
- Sydney funnel-web spider and Northern tree funnel-web spider.
The following table summarizes the difference between mouse spider and funnel-web.
Summary – Mouse Spider vs Funnel-Web
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight limbs. Spiders are generally able to inject venom. Mouse spider and funnel-web are two spiders mainly found in the Australian continent that have similar appearances. However, mouse spiders have comparatively shorter spinnerets or appendages on the abdomen, while funnel-web spiders have much longer spinnerets or appendages on the abdomen. This summarizes the difference between mouse spider and funnel-web.
FAQ: Mouse Spider and Funnel-Web
1. Why do they call it a mouse spider?
- They are sometimes referred to as “mouse spiders” due to a disproven belief that they dig deep burrows similar to those of mice. In fact, these mouse spiders only live in burrows more than 1 meter deep.
2. Are UK mouse spiders venomous?
- UK mouse spiders are venomous. However, their bites are not considered dangerous to humans as they are not aggressive unless they are provoked. Mouse spiders can be found throughout the UK but are more commonly seen in southern regions.
3. How poisonous is a funnel-web spider?
- Funnel-web spider bites can be life threatening, especially in children. Their atraxotoxin is one of the world’s most dangerous toxins. Patients must be treated quickly with antivenin by a healthcare practitioner.
4. What happens if you get bitten by a funnel-web spider?
- Funnel-web spider bites can be life-threatening. Panicking can elevate heart rate and increase the spread of venom through the bloodstream. Make the patient calm as possible to minimize the impact of the bite.
5. What is the fastest-killing spider in the world?
- The Sydney funnel-web spider, Atrax robustus, is the fastest-killing spider in the world. The male of this species is Australia’s most dangerous spider and is capable of causing death in as little as 15 minutes.
Reference:
1. “Mouse Spiders.” The Australian Museum.
2. “Funnel-Web Spider.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Mygalomorphae Actinopodidae Missulena bradleyi Eastern Mouse Spider The Gap Brisbane 003” By Robertwhyteus – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Victorian funnelweb side” By fir0002flagstaffotos [at] gmail.comCanon 20D + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 – Own work (GFDL 1.2) via Commons Wikimedia
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