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Funnel-web spider called Hercules breaks record as biggest ever recorded
After being discovered in a home in Australia. an enormous male funnel-web spider has been relocated to a reptile park where his venom will be used to save lives.
If youve got Arachnophobia then you might want to stop reading now as the funnel web spider is an animal straight out of your nightmares. As one of the deadliest arachnids in the world, and with a particular hobby for creating eerie burrows, the funnel web is but one of the species that gives Australia its famed reputation.
The funnel-web was found in a home
As reported in the Associated Press, this particular specimen was found in a home on the Central Coast, around 50 miles north of Sydney. He was taken to a local hospital for an unknown reason and was later retrieved by the Australian Reptile Park.
At his new home, which is home to over 2,000 animals and critters, experts realised that the new spider on the block was actually the biggest male ever captured. Naturally, he was named Hercules after the iconic ancient Greek hero.
Hercules measured a whopping 3.1 inches (7.9cm) from foot to foot, moving him up to the top spot. The record was previously held by a male funnel-web called Colossus, who was discovered in 2018.
Hercules will now contribute to the parks flourishing anti-venom program, which sees specimens milked of their venom. Said venom is then used to make life-saving anti-venom that is used across the country.
The park said its a momentous occasion
While the Australian Reptile Park is used to receiving noteworthy creatures from across Australia, they said Hercules is a truly game-changing find.
Emma Teni, a spider keeper at the facility, told AP: Were 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. Whilst female funnel-web spiders are venomous, males have proven to be more lethal.
All reported bites associated with the species come from males, and thats largely because their venom is five times more deadly due to a specific toxin that females do not possess.
With having a male funnel-web this size in our collection, his venom output could be enormous, proving incredibly valuable for the parks venom program, Emma added.
Because of such venom programs, Australia has not had a reported death since related to a funnel-web since 1981.
