Snakes that large were typically killed by orb-weavers or large tarantulas. But snakes sometimes took down large serpents, too: The largest victims were up to 3.25 feet (100 centimeters) long and weighed several ounces. Most of the snakes attacked by spiders were babies or juveniles weighing less than a gram. This family includes common species such as garter snakes ( Thamnophis cyrtopsis) and rat snakes ( Pantherophis guttatus), and their prevalence among spider victims likely reflects the fact that they are the most abundant snake family on all continents except Australia, Nyffeler and Gibbons wrote. The researchers found evidence of spiders preying on 86 different species of snake, with snakes of the colubrid family being the most common victims. Reports of spiders eating snakes came from every continent except Antarctica, though half of the events reported occurred in the United States and almost a third occurred in Australia. Once the spiders kill the snakes, they suck out their innards just as they would an insect.

These spiders weave large and very strong circular webs. Another 8.5% of predation incidents were carried out by large orb-weaver spiders, which are also known to catch and eat bats and birds.

These larger spiders do not build webs, but hunt prey actively on the ground or in trees. Members of the tarantula family were responsible for another 10% of snake kills. While many people feared the spiders, Mr Collett said they could be safely caught.Related: See photos of the spiders feasting on snakes Mr Collett encouraged people to catch the spiders if they saw them crawling around. Females have less venom and spend almost all of their lives in their burrows. The park has about 500 male spiders in its anti-venom program, which they milk once a week for venom. 'It's a win for us because we need as many as we possibly can to produce enough venom for the anti-venom program here in Australia,' Mr Collett said. He suspected recent weather had driven them out of their burrows. 'Our peak period is normally spring and summer, which is when the males are cruising around chasing girls,' Mr Collett told ABC Radio Sydney. The park's operations manager Billy Collett said the donations suggested the spiders were unusually active despite the cold weather.

Twelve funnel-webs - five males, five females, and two juveniles - caught by members of the public were recently dropped off in jars at Hawkesbury City Council in Sydney's north.

Spiders and Snakes by Wanda Walker