Mouse Spiders are often confused for the infamous Funnel Web Spider especially due to their aggressive nature. Not unlike the Funnel Web, the Mouse Spider will rear up, showing their large venous fangs. The bite of a Mouse Spider can be very toxic and potentially dangerous to humans, and as dangerous as the Funnel Web spider.
Due to the potential toxicity of the bite, Mouse Spider bites should be treated in the same manner as Funnel Web spiders. In the event of a serious envenomation, the Funnel Web spider antivenom has been found to be effective as a treatment.
Vital First Aid first aid courses, especially the HLTAID003 Provide First Aid, will cover the management of spider bites including the application of the pressure immobilisation bandage for funnel web spider bites.
The spider in this article was brought into Vital First Aid today. You may notice the white / grey patch on the rear of the spider – this is distinctively the markings of a male Mouse Spider.
