Study questions funnel-web aggression

Robyn Wuth | January 6, 2023

Australia’s deadly funnel-web spiders may not be the most aggressive arachnid of the web world, according to a Queensland study.

James Cook University researchers have been studying the behaviour of funnel-web spiders – arguably the most venomous spiders in the world capable of inflicting a fatal bite to humans.

While most scientific studies have focused on toxins in the spider venom, and how it’s produced, the study of their behaviour is important too, said JCU’s Linda Hernández Duran. 

“Behavioural traits act synergistically with genetics, physiology, neurohormones and factors like environment, experience and level of sociability to affect toxin molecules,” said Ms Hernández Duran.

“So understanding how spiders behave in certain situations is critical for understanding the complexity and variation of venom components,” said Ms Hernández Duran.

Studying 75 spiders of four species, scientists discovered not all funnel-webs to be aggressive.

“We found only the Border Ranges funnel-web showed consistency in risk-taking behaviour when exposed to a predator stimulus, aggressiveness against other funnel-webs, and exploration of a new territory.

“In contrast, in the other species, only the Sydney funnel-web showed consistency in the exploration of a new territory,” said Ms Hernández Duran.

She said none of the species was consistently aggressive when prodded with tweezers, suggesting spiders change behaviours in response to this type of provocation, which could be an advantage. 

“In dangerous situations, an animal that adjusts its behaviour in response to the stimulus may have a greater chance of survival,” said Ms Hernández Duran.