The female Red back is the only one that bites as the males are too small. It was interesting to learn that the Funnel web spider is only harmful to apes and humans and not other animals. Respiratory distress results from Funnel web bites and breathing and the heart can both stop, so it is important to apply the pressure immobilisation bandage as quickly as possible. The male Funnel web is the more dangerous of this species. Wayne then went on to discuss Insect Bites with the children who are all too familiar with the occasional bee or wasp sting at school.
Bees die after they sting as they leave part of their body behind with the sting.
Doctors can give antihistamines for this allergic reaction and sometimes an injection is needed. Another very dangerous type of bite or sting is that of the Box jellyfish. Found mostly in the northern waters off the Queensland coast, this jellyfish has recently been reported as far south as Stradbroke Island. This is because its main predator, the leather back turtle is now on the endangered species list because of man. Plastic bags and drink plastic rings look like the jellyfish to the turtles who get caught in the plastic or rings and drown.