Audio By Carbonatix
Australia has already dealt with extreme fires, flooding and hail this year. Now experts are warning people to watch out for deadly funnel-web spiders due to "perfect conditions" for the arachnid to thrive.
Native to the moist forest regions of eastern Australia, several funnel-web species are known for their highly toxic and fast-acting venom. On Wednesday, the Australian Reptile Park -- based in Somersby, in New South Wales state -- said spider activity had increased in recent days.
"Because of the recent rain and now the hot days we are now experiencing, funnel-web spiders will start to move around," park spokesman Daniel Rumsey said in a video posted on Facebook.
Experts say the Australian funnel-web is one of the most dangerous spiders on Earth.
Australia has been ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades, with large swaths of the country devastated since the fire season began in late July. At least 28 people have died nationwide -- and in the state of New South Wales alone, more than 3,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged.
Severe thunderstorms delivered relief to some areas late last week, although flash flooding created new risks. Parts of southeastern Australia were also pelted by hailstones the size of golf balls, big enough to smash car windows and injure birds, less than 24 hours after the region was hit by massive dust storms.
Warren Bailey, owner of ABC Pest Control Sydney, told CNN that funnel-webs are normally active during the summer, but the spider season arrived later than usual this year because the weather has been "very dry" in the past few months.
"Their venom is pretty toxic and can kill someone," he said. "The funnel-webs are now out with the recent rains, (and) they can go into people's houses on the ground or from the roof."
Experts say the Australian funnel-web is one of the most dangerous spiders on Earth.
Australia has been ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades, with large swaths of the country devastated since the fire season began in late July. At least 28 people have died nationwide -- and in the state of New South Wales alone, more than 3,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged.
Severe thunderstorms delivered relief to some areas late last week, although flash flooding created new risks. Parts of southeastern Australia were also pelted by hailstones the size of golf balls, big enough to smash car windows and injure birds, less than 24 hours after the region was hit by massive dust storms.
Warren Bailey, owner of ABC Pest Control Sydney, told CNN that funnel-webs are normally active during the summer, but the spider season arrived later than usual this year because the weather has been "very dry" in the past few months.
"Their venom is pretty toxic and can kill someone," he said. "The funnel-webs are now out with the recent rains, (and) they can go into people's houses on the ground or from the roof."DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Akufo-Addo’s name will be “written in gold” in Ghana’s history in the fullness of time – Jinapor
37 seconds -
Tread cautiously about financial hedging – US-based Associate Professor to BoG
1 minute -
LGBTQ curriculum row: Quality control failure, not timing, caused teacher manual controversy – Dr Anti-Partey
4 minutes -
Banks wrote-off GH¢1.39bn as bad debt in 10-months of 2025
9 minutes -
I cannot rate the lands minister’s performance, but… – Abu Jinapor
10 minutes -
Accra’s traffic to blame for public transport crisis—GPRTU
10 minutes -
Banks’ record 47.8% year-on-year growth in profit to GH¢12.6bn in 10-months of 2025
46 minutes -
We stand by our US$214 million loss by BoG due to GoldBod exposure – IMF
51 minutes -
GIPC to host Regional Investment Roadshows in Central and Western Region
1 hour -
Open letter to President John Agyekum Kufour
1 hour -
IGP promotes two officers, commends five others in Tema Regional Police command
1 hour -
Dortmund, Leipzig and Stuttgart track Ghanaian teen Edmund Baidoo after Salzburg surge
1 hour -
Galamsey: Water bodies and lands remain under attack – Abu Jinapor
1 hour -
‘Order from above’: Trotro operators reply as commuters fume over fare hikes amid gridlock
2 hours -
US Visa Suspension: Abu Jinapor warns of diplomatic drift as Ghana–US relations face strain
2 hours
