This is Hercules. It is the largest specimen ever found of the world’s most venomous spider. The fangs of the Sydney funnel-web spider could pierce your fingernail. Measuring 3.1 inches across, Hercules was spotted on the Central Coast 50 miles from Sydney, Australia.
Don’t worry about him making a home in your bed though; Hercules now resides at the Australian Reptile Park.
“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 who looks after the arachnids there. “Whilst female funnel-web spiders are venomous, males have proven to be more lethal.
From the AP:
“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.
“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,” [Teni said.]
