An unusual poisonous spider of almost 8 centimeters is found in Australia

2024-01-05 10:03:46

Updated Friday, January 5, 2024 – 09:03

The specimen has been donated to an animal park that will use it to make antidotes.

Hercules, the almost 8 centimeter ‘Atrax robustus’ found in Australia.AP

A poisonous spider of unusually large size, almost 8 centimeters, was found by neighbors on the southeastern coast of Australia and it was donated to an animal park that would use it to make poison antidotes.

Those responsible for the Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales stated on Facebook that it is the male spider ‘Atrax robust’ largest they have received so far, which is why they have named it Herculessince this species usually measures between 1 and 5 centimeters.

“Males are normally much smaller than females, but Hercules is as big as the largest female funnel web spider (common name ‘Atrax robustus’) we have ever had,” the park said in a message on the website. social network.

The spider expert Emma Tenia park worker, indicated in a video that Hercules, who measures 7.9 centimeters, is “huge” and that the amount of poison he has, which can be fatal for humans, will be useful for manufacturing antidotes.

“It has one of the biggest fangs I have ever seen,” said the expert.

Antrax robustus, whose habitat is found in southeastern Australia, are known as funnel web spiders for the way they form their webs and their skin has a shiny appearance due to the lack of hair, according to the website. from the Australian Museum.

The venom of the males can be fatal.but there is an antidote, while younger or female specimens are less dangerous.

“It is not true that all tunnel web bites are fatal. The venom of tunnel web spiders Sydney young and females it is much less toxic. “It is also not true that they jump or chase people in houses,” says the Australian Museum, which points out that they usually live in humid areas.