In a recent discovery on the Central Coast, approximately 80 km north of Sydney, the largest male funnel web spider ever recorded, named “Hercules,” has made headlines.
About Hercules spider:
- It is the largest male funnel web spider ever recorded.
- Characteristics
- The spider’s impressive size, measuring 3.1 inches from foot to foot.
- It is equipped with fangs capable of penetrating human nails, Hercules stands as the world’s most venomous arachnid.
- It represents the first male of such magnitude.
- Male funnel web spiders are known to be more lethal than their female counterparts.
- Range:
- These are commonly found in forested regions and gardens spanning from Sydney, Australia, the coastal city of Newcastle in the north and the Blue Mountains to the west.
- Habitat: The warm and humid climate along Australia’s east coast provides an ideal breeding ground for funnel web spiders.
What is a funnel-web spider?
- These are one of the most dangerous arachnids in the world.
- There are 36 described species of Australian funnel-web spiders and they are currently placed in three genera: Hadronic, Atrax and Illawarra.
- The spider has venom, which is filled with 40 different toxic proteins.
- Its raw venom, is the best way to make life-saving antivenom.Â