Giant 9.2 cm Funnel-Web Spider 'Hemsworth' Aids Antivenom Efforts

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The Australian Reptile Park just received its biggest funnel-web spider ever. The spider, nicknamed "Hemsworth," joins the park's lifesaving antivenom program.

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Hemsworth's arrival marks more than just a size record, surpassing predecessors Hercules (7.9cm) and Colossus (7.8cm). This giant spider will help protect hundreds of Australian families in the years ahead.

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Making this lifesaving medicine takes time and lots of spiders. "We need to milk a spider up to 200 times to make just one bottle of antivenom," says Teni.

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Most male funnel-web spiders are tiny by comparison, usually between 1 to 5 centimeters wide which makes Hemsworth notably larger than the typical specimens.

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Each year, 30 to 40 Australians get bitten by these spiders. Without treatment, their bite can be deadly within 20 minutes. Their fangs are so strong they can pierce through a fingernail as noted by the Australian Museum.

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The park's antivenom program helps keep everyone safe, saving up to 300 people.

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These spiders often show up in suburban gardens and wooded areas around Sydney, Newcastle, and the Blue Mountains.

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For safety, "All you need is a smooth jar and a long-handled spoon," Teni explains. "Put the jar in front of the spider and gently guide it inside. Then secure the lid and bring it to one of our drop-off locations."

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