THERE might be 40 different types of funnel web spiders located up and down the east coast of Australia, but little is known about the Port Macquarie funnel web.
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Like many funnel web spider species, both sexes of the Port Macquarie funnel web have a shiny black carapace, dark brown to black legs and abdomen.
They dwell in burrows in gardens, which can be identified by trip line webs that are spread out across ground from the hole and are designed to snare prey.
Duty operations manager for NSW Ambulance Port Macquarie, Steve Towle, said the Port Macquarie funnel web should be treated with care.
"Its venom is slightly more toxic than the Sydney funnel web," he said.
He said they could be found in higher numbers around koala corridors.
"That's due to the thicker, cooler, damper areas such as Granite Street and areas around Lighthouse Beach."
Australian Reptile Park curator Liz Vella said most people couldn't tell the difference between the species, but all types should be considered dangerous.
"They're not aggressive, but they will get defensive if they find themselves in a position where they feel threatened," she said.
Ms Vella said around this time of year males came out in search of females and encouraged residents not to leave things lying on the ground.
"They hate direct sunlight because it dries them out so that's when you will find them in piles of washing and underneath logs and leaf litters. Don't put your fingers underneath wood."
If bitten residents should dial 000 and apply a pressure mobilisation bandage and stay as calm as possible.
"Don't move around a lot and if you can, take a picture of the spider because it will help to identify it and administer anti-venom."
She said in 30 years since the funnel web anti-venom had become available in Australia no one had been killed from a funnel web bite.
"There's been plenty of people bitten, but no deaths recorded in 30 years."
