What are the chances of encountering a deadly spider in Australlia?

Question

If I were to visit Austriallia, what would be the chances of me encountering a dealy spider (black widow, tarantula|) or any other deadly creature? Say in my hotel room or something...

Thanks!

Answer 1

no way

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Answer 2

Not likely in your hotel room, but on an outdoor bench etc., there are plenty of nasty creepy things. It's redbacks you need to watch for in Queensland, funnelwebs in New South Wales, and I'm not sure about the western states. Just check your shoes if you leave them outside, and don't put your hand into any dark holes. Oh, and watch out if you walk under a low-hanging tree.

See this website for more information:

http://goaustralia.about.com/cs/practica...

Answer 3

I was born in Sydney and lived here all my life. I had never encountered any venomous spiders before, only daddy-long-legs and baby spiders. The chances are extremely rare if you live in the city.

Don't worry! =]

Answer 4

I think it's much more hype than actuality because we all read articles and stories about how there are shark dangers and spider dangers, among many other things, but it's really not as god-awful as people would make you believe.

Answer 5

10'000 to 1 against at least

Answer 6

you got more chance of being hit by a ufo then seeing a deadly critter in your motel room

Answer 7

We don't have Black Widow or Tarantula spiders in Australia, so your chances of encountering either of them is nil.

I suggest that you do only a small amount of research to dispel the appalling myths that seem to fill your head about our wildlife.

We do have poisonous spiders, the Sydney Funnel web is probably the best known urban spider, and it can be deadly except that an effective antivenin is available, and extremely few people have ever been bitten by them anyway.

In WA we have redback Spiders, which are in fact a relative of the Black Widow. Their bite is extraordinarily painful, and although an antivenin is available, the use of ice packs seems fairly adequate. I have seen a fair number of them, but its like anything - use your head and take known precautions and the chances of an actual bite are between slim & negligable.

We also have the world's most poisonous snakes, jellyfish, octopus and fish (the stonefish), not to mention sharks which will take your leg etc off if they get at you, but again, the likelihood of you encountering any of these in an urban environment is minute. Many of them are limited to certain regions and you would have to go there and do certain things in order to even see them, let alone get bitten/stung/eaten.

Answer 8

None!

Australian's would all be dead if deadly spiders were all that common. You may find a daddy long legs or huntsmen but they are harmless, Funnel web spiders are deadly but they're fangs can't bite into human flesh. Spiders tend to stay away from people, you might find them in the corner of the ceiling but if your hotel room is clean you shouldnt see any.

Spiders in fact kill more people but spooking them in their car whilst driving then they do from actually biting or poisoning.

If you're going out into the bush then you will see spiders but will still be safe.

If you see a spider, kill it.