Atrax

Atrax is a genus of venomous Australian funnel web spiders that was first described by O. Pickard-Cambridge in 1877 from the type species Atrax robustus. it contains only three species: A. robustus, A. sutherlandi, and A. yorkmainorum. Originally placed with the curtain web spiders, it was moved to the Hexathelidae in 1980, then to the Australian funnel-web spiders in 2018. Description They are medium to large spiders for their family ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 cm. As most in the Mygalomorphae infraorder, they have robust bodies. With a glossy dark colouration in their carapace and legs, and a grey opisthosoma. They also have the same long life, ranging from 4 to 20 years. They are usually found in burrows with little silk lining, found under rocks or logs. With their aptly named funnel like webs. They are found in the coasts and highlands of southeastern Australia. Identification They can be identified from others of the same family by the large coniform apophysis on the male tibia. And from the Hadronyche by the lower caput height. Caput being the front part of the cephalothorax. Venom This genus includes some of the most dangerous spiders, namely the Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus). This spider is thought to have killed 13 people. Though none have died since the anti venom has been introduced, many consider this spider to be quite dangerous, and deadly. Most of the bites are thought to be caused by male spiders which wander out of their hides to find a mate.