2024-01-06 21:30:00
3 inches in length and a bite capable of piercing a human fingernail. Largest-ever specimen of world’s most venomous spider found in Australia, agency says Associated Press.
“Hercules”, a 7.9 cm long male member of the funnel-web spider species, was found on Australia’s central coast, regarding 80 km north of Sydney, and returned to a wildlife park.
Usually, representatives of this species, considered the most venomous spider in the world, measure 1 to 5 cm. Females are generally larger than males, who are more venomous.
According to the animal park, the only one in the world to have developed a venom collection program to develop a serum, the bite of a male can kill an adult man in just 90 minutes.
Fangs that can pierce a nail
Equipped with fangs capable of piercing a human nail, the funnel web spider, however, is more often scary than bad. No deaths from bites from this species have been recorded in Australia since the park’s anti-venom production program began in 1981.
The discovery of Hercules nonetheless remains a boon for the park. “We are used to receiving donations of fairly large funnel web spiders at the park, but receiving a male this large is like hitting the jackpot,” said Emma Teni, spider keeper at the Australian Reptile Park. .
“Its venom production might be enormous and incredibly valuable to the park’s anti-venom program,” she added.
Present in the suburbs of Sydney
Funnel-web spiders fortunately only exist in Australia, from wooded areas and suburban gardens from Sydney, Australia’s most populous city, to the coastal city of Newcastle in the north and in the Blue Mountains to the west.
Last April, a 19-year-old Australian boy was saved by the anti-venom developed at the park following being bitten in his bed by a specimen. Once he recovered, the park gave him a tour of the Australian Reptile Park’s spider department facilities.
As for this brave “Hercules”, following kindly providing a little of his venom, he should be released into the wild.
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