Deadly Australian Wildlife – Redback Spider Kills Snake!
August 23rd 2010 10:35
It is believed the snake was bitten on Monday night. A red mark on the snake's stomach was evidence of where the spider had started consuming it. Throughout Tuesday, the spider fed on her prey, and on Wednesday she rolled it up and started spinning a web around it while lifting it higher off the ground.
Leon Lotz of the arachnology department at the National Museum said it was only the second time that he had heard of a snake getting caught in a spider's web. Redbacks normally prey on insects, other spiders and occasionally small lizards.
Redback Spiders (Latrodectus hasseltii) are smaller than most other dangerous Australian spiders. They are black with slender legs and a vivid red patch on the peanut sized abdomen. Females are significantly larger and more potent than males. ‘Redbacks’ inhabit the entire continent of Australia, and also managed to colonize parts of Japan during the tourism boom of the 90’s.
Well adapted to life in suburbia, Redbacks often come into contact with people during the summer months when they are most active. They shelter in crevices and use an untidy web to entangle prey long enough to inflict a venomous bite.
With over 250 cases reported every year, the bite of a redback is rarely fatal to humans. The bite does cause extreme localized pain and swelling, and sometimes nausea, dizziness and sweating. If bitten, do not cut or clean the puncture wound, nor use a tourniquet or compression bandage. The venom is slow moving so an ice pack should be applied and medical attention sought to administer antivenom.
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