Current:Home > BackGigantic spider found in Australia, dubbed "Hercules," is a record-setter-LoTradeCoin
Gigantic spider found in Australia, dubbed "Hercules," is a record-setter
View Date:2024-12-23 20:02:00
Sydney — With fangs that could pierce a human fingernail, the largest male specimen of the world's most poisonous arachnid has found a new home at the Australian Reptile Park where it will help save lives after a member of the public discovered it by chance.
The deadly Sydney funnel-web spider, dubbed "Hercules," was found on the Central Coast, about 50 miles north of Sydney, and was initially given to a local hospital, the Australian Reptile Park said in a statement Thursday.
Spider experts from the nearby park retrieved it and soon realized it was the largest male specimen ever received from the public in Australia.
The spider measured 3.1 inches (7.9 centimeters) from foot to foot, surpassing the park's previous record-holder from 2018, the male funnel-web named "Colossus."
Sydney funnel-web spiders usually range in length from one to five centimeters, with females being generally larger than their male counterparts but not as deadly. They are predominantly found in forested areas and suburban gardens from Sydney, Australia's most populous city, to the coastal city of Newcastle in the north and the Blue Mountains to the west.
"Hercules" will contribute to the reptile park's antivenom program. Safely captured spiders handed in by the public undergo "milking" to extract venom, essential for producing life-saving antivenom.
"We're used to having pretty big funnel-web spiders donated to the park. However, receiving a male funnel-web this big is like hitting the jackpot," said Emma Teni, a spider keeper at Australian Reptile Park. "Whilst female funnel-web spiders are venomous, males have proven to be more lethal.
"With having a male funnel-web this size in our collection, his venom output could be enormous, proving incredibly valuable for the park's venom program."
Since the inception of the program in 1981, there haven't been any fatalities in Australia from any funnel-web spider bites.
Recent rainy, humid weather along Australia's east coast has provided ideal conditions for funnel-web spiders to thrive.
- In:
- Spider
- Australia
veryGood! (495)
Related
- Businesses at struggling corner where George Floyd was killed sue Minneapolis
- Video shows person of interest in explosion outside Alabama attorney general’s office
- Staggering action sequences can't help 'Dune: Part Two' sustain a sense of awe
- Caitlin Clark changed the women's college game. Will she do the same for the WNBA?
- Hurricane forecasters on alert: November storm could head for Florida
- Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei Shares Gilbert Syndrome Diagnosis Causing His “Yellow Eyes”
- Jack Teixeira, alleged Pentagon leaker, to plead guilty
- Florida girl still missing after mother's boyfriend arrested for disturbing images
- Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
- Three former Department of Education employees charged with defrauding Arizona voucher program
Ranking
- It's about to be Red Cup Day at Starbucks. When is it and how to get the free coffee swag?
- Teen charged with killing 2 people after shooting in small Alaska community of Point Hope
- Georgia sets execution date for man who killed ex-girlfriend 30 years ago
- A U.S. couple is feared dead after their boat was allegedly hijacked by escaped prisoners in the Caribbean. Here's what to know.
- Investigation into Chinese hacking reveals ‘broad and significant’ spying effort, FBI says
- Virginia man sentenced to 43 years after pleading guilty to killing teen who had just graduated
- Proof Machine Gun Kelly Is Changing His Stage Name After Over a Decade
- Kings of Leon talk upcoming tour and album, 'Sex on Fire' rise to fame: 'We got shots'
Recommendation
-
Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump
-
Harris will tout apprenticeships in a swing state visit to Wisconsin
-
Victor Manuel Rocha, ex-U.S. ambassador, admits to spying for Cuba for decades
-
Prince William condemns antisemitism at London synagogue: 'We can't let that keep going'
-
Here's Your First Look at The White Lotus Season 3 With Blackpink’s Lisa and More Stars
-
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani announces he is married
-
Delaware judge cites ‘evil’ and ‘extreme cruelty’ in sentencing couple for torturing their sons
-
Former 'Vanderpump Rules' stars Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright announce separation