Sydney funnel-web spiders (Atrax robustus) are some of the most venomous spiders in the world. If untreated, a single bite can kill a small child within 15 minutes and an adult within three days.

The current antivenom is already effective against a wide variety of funnel-web spider bites, including the newly discovered "Big Boy." Only male Sydney funnel-web spiders have venom that can kill an ...

"If you are bitten by a funnel-web spider, call an ambulance and go straight to hospital," researcher Geoff Isbister said.

The Sydney funnel-web spider has extremely dangerous venom, but according to a new study this spider is actually three different species — one of which, the "Newcastle big boy," is much larger.

“This spider was just so big in comparison to ... Before the antivenom was introduced in 1981, 13 people died as a result of funnel-web bites. Since its introduction, there have been no ...

Male Sydney funnel web spider bites are more dangerous than females, due to the increased potency of their venom. However, these spiders are generally not aggressive unless threatened, so bites ...

However, for now, scientists believe they can continue to use the same antivenom to treat bites from all three species of funnel-web spiders. Prof Isbister said: “[Bites from] the two new ...

The initial bite is painful, and symptoms set in quickly ... Named “Hercules,” he was the largest Sydney funnel-web spider ever recorded. Actually, it turns out he isn’t.