Two of the world's deadliest spiders lock fangs in battle to the death ... so can you guess who comes out on top?

  • Man filmed as a redback spider and funnel web battled outside his home
  • Despite being considered more deadly, the funnel web is overpowered
  • Smaller foe entangles the spider's legs in sticky web before attacking it 

By Chris Pleasance For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:44 EST, 6 November 2016 | Updated: 21:51 EST, 6 November 2016

They are two of the deadliest spiders in the world - containing venom that can kill a person in as little as 15 minutes.

But while the risks of funnel web and redback spiders to humans are well known, they do not usually pose a danger to each other - until now.

One homeowner filmed the moment he caught the arachnids fighting over a ventilation shaft outside his home in Australia.

This is the moment two deadly spiders - a funnel web and a redback - were filmed fighting in a web outside a man's home in Australia

Footage shows the redback - also known as a black widow - has managed to get its opponent entangled in a web, and appears to be trying to bite its feet.

Perhaps playing dead, the funnel web doesn't move as the redback darts toward it with a few strikes, backing away each time.

After the funnel web fails to move, the reback seems to lose interest, instead crawling away to the safety of the ventilation hole.

Meanwhile its rival is left dangling upside down while still caught in the sticky strands of its web.

While it appears to be dead in footage posted on Liveleak, a poke with a stick quickly reveals it is not, as it begins flailing its legs around.

The homeowner said he captured the funnel web it a jar and uploaded more footage showing him releasing it safely back into the wild.

It is not clear what, if anything, he decided to do with the redback spider.

Despite its superior size and razor sharp fangs, the redback manages to entangle its opponent in web, leaving it helpless

With the funnel web safely trapped, the redback spider scurries back into a crevice in the wall

Funnel web spiders are generally considered the second most lethal in the world, topped only by the Brazilian wandering spider whose deadly venom is 20 times more toxic than the redback and causes painful, four-hour erections in victims.

Funnel webs have the largest and sharpest fangs of any spider, even rivaling some small snakes, which can bite through shoe leather.

Unlike most spider species they are aggressive, and if threatened will charge and deliver a series of bites, ensuring a maximum dose of venom is injected.

While their venom is less toxic than the redback, because it is delivered in a larger dose they are considered more lethal.

Redbacks contain one of the most dangerous poisons identified in spiders, but mostly pose a danger to children as their fangs struggle to penetrate adult skin.

They are known to hunt other spiders for food, but typically don't challenge creatures as large as a funnel web. 

FUNNEL WEB 

Most deadly rank: Number two

Most deadly variety: Male 

Venom: Causes brain swelling, palpitations, vomiting and spasms starting as little as 15 minutes after bite

Behaviour: Unusually aggressive, it will charge opponents and deliver a volley of bites with its extremely sharp fangs

Risk to humans: High. Their fangs can penetrate shoe leather, their venom is fast acting and delivered in a high dose, and they will attack first. Their habit of hiding in shoes also brings them into contact with humans

REDBACK 

Most deadly rank: Number four

Most deadly variety: Female 

Venom: One the the most lethal identified, it causes extreme pain, convulsions, vomiting and weakness

Behaviour: Reclusive, these spiders hunt at night and will not attack unless directly threatened

Risk to humans: Medium. While they often live in houses, their nocturnal habits and size typically keep them out of the way of humans. They only attack if directly threatened, and their small fangs struggle to penetrate adult skin

 

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