Australians Being Asked To Capture Venomous Spiders

Posted: September 3, 2012

Funnel Web Spider Request In Australia

The Australian Reptile Park wants residents near Sydney, Australia to hunt down and catch the world’s most deadly spider known as the funnel-web. Once caught officials will milk the spiders to create anti-venom that is used to treat spider bites.

Catching the funnel web spider is no simple taste, a single bite from the spiders can lead to death in as little as one hour.

Park worker Julie Mendezona is urging anyone who catches a spider to bring it in for milking. Mendezona tells ABC Australia:

“Usually we are the ones saying to people, ‘if you see a dangerous animal, leave it alone and then it will leave you alone, and you won’t have any run-ins’.”

Mendezona adds:

“But, it is really important that we turn to the community to actually obtain our funnel-webs. It’s the most productive way for us to get these animals.”

For the most part Australians are taking the request in stride. Wayne Moran proclaimed via his Facebook page:

“Reminds me of my childhood growing up in Sydney in the 70s. Funnel-webs were common in our backyard. Mum would often catch them and then deliver them to (I think) the local hospital. I was terrified of them. I vaguely remember the catching stopping as they no longer needed them to produce the anti-venom.”

While Lauren Kuhn said of the request:

My mother found a nest years ago and reported it in the early 80′s. They came and got them. I know this helped research but a think professionals should be catching them not the average Joe.

Could you actively and with no experience hunt down a spider that could kill you?