The constant downpour has caused massive flooding in New South Wales, which is home to about a third of all Australians. Some Sydney suburbs are still submerged. The weather in the Australian state appears to be improving on Wednesday and the sun shines for the first time after days of rain. However, the relief was short-lived for some after receiving an “urgent warning” about the Australian tunnel network spiders.
“The approach of warm weather and high humidity provides ideal conditions for a massive increase in the number of tunnel web spiders,” said Tim Faulkner, director of the Australian Reptile Park. “The massive floods that we saw in the Sydney area have chased the spiders out of their burrows and sought refuge in drier places. Unfortunately, this means that they are quickly finding their way home.”
Thousands of spiders
In recent days, many have shared on social media pictures of thousands of spiders trying to escape from rising water levels. Arachnophobia was horrified by the images of the eight-legged creatures climbing up fences and buildings.
The tunnel web spider is much feared in Sydney for its fast-acting and powerful venom. As far as is known, the spider has killed at least 13 human victims. Since an antidote was developed in the 1980s, there have been no more deaths from a bite from a tunnel web spider. The Australian Reptile Garden, which provides the antidote, encourages people “who feel safe enough” to catch spiders and take them to collection points.
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