About Atrax robustus O.Pickard-Cambridge, 1877
This species is commonly known as the Sydney funnel-web spider. It is a medium to large spider, with a body length ranging from 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2 inches). Both males and females have glossy, dark colouration, which can be blue-black, black, brown, or dark plum. The carapace that covers the cephalothorax is almost hairless, with a smooth, glossy appearance. A distinct characteristic of this species is the presence of finger-like spinnerets at the tip of the abdomen. Males, which have shorter lifespans than females, are smaller in body size but have longer legs. The average total leg length for the species overall is 6 to 7 centimetres. The distribution of Atrax robustus is centred around Sydney in New South Wales, extending north to the Central Coast, south to the Illawarra region, and west to the Blue Mountains. These spiders occupy moist microhabitats, such as spaces under logs and foliage. They are mostly terrestrial, and favour habitats with moist sand and clay.
