Current Events > Venomous 'Big Boy' Spider Discovered in Australia

(+) Yeah! (+)

Australian scientists have discovered a new species of the deadly funnel-web spider that is bigger and more venomous than its relatives, nicknaming it "Big Boy."

In research released Monday, scientists from the Australian Museum, Flinders University and Germany's Leibniz Institute discovered there are three species of Sydney funnel-web spiders instead of one. Scientists have named the 3.54-inch-long species Atrax christenseni, with a nickname of "Big Boy." Common Sydney funnel-web spiders, in comparison, can grow up to nearly 2 inches.

"Our research uncovered hidden diversity among funnel-web spiders," lead researcher Stephanie Loria said in a statement. "The Newcastle funnel-web, Atrax christenseni 'Big Boy' is a totally new species."

The dark, glossy and large spiders are considered among the most dangerously venomous spiders for humans. 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 adult, and 13 deaths have been attributed to the common Sydney funnel-web spider between 1927 and the early 1980s. There have been no deaths since the antivenom was introduced in the 1980s.

In 2024, a Sydney funnel-web spider found in Australia set a record as the largest spider at the Australian Reptile Park. It measured 3.1 inches from foot to foot, surpassing the park's previous record-holder from 2018.

Australia

Flinders University

Can they undiscover it?

I was so scared of funnel webs as a kid. I remember we were learning about venomous creatures in school and they said they were pretty common in the Sydney area.

Something in my child mind thought we may find them here and with how funnel webs can hide themselves, it scared me even more....despite living a decent distance away from Sydney and any area in NSW where they might be found.

Now it's pretty common to find red backs just chilling in the dark places in my backyard and that doesn't trigger me....it should though.

The way you're talking so nonchalant about such dangerous creatures...you Aussies are made of some pretty tough stuff.

I was so scared of funnel webs as a kid. I remember we were learning about venomous creatures in school and they said they were pretty common in the Sydney area.

Something in my child mind thought we may find them here and with how funnel webs can hide themselves, it scared me even more....despite living a decent distance away from Sydney and any area in NSW where they might be found.

Now it's pretty common to find red backs just chilling in the dark places in my backyard and that doesn't trigger me....it should though.

Dangerous is contextual. A spider is likely to run away from you so they arent that dangerous so long as you apply common sense when you spot one (basically avoid it)

id say theres more dangerous animals in America. America has bears and murder hornets

Like you said, dangerous is contextual. A Bear usually doesn't invade people's neighborhoods, there are ways to keep them from wanting to attack you, and animal control is very quick to action. As for murder hornets, we've been successful at genociding most of them. But those spiders in Australia? Don't they live in your homes?

I guess but they stick to themselves and if I see more than say 3 in a day Ill just bug bomb my house and theyll be gone for like half a year

I mean wildlife in general is fairly safe since we live in houses. But if you were say, in the great outdoors, Id be more scared of a bear attack. Arent some territorial? Even territorial spiders wont charge you, theyll defend their hidey holes or whatever which dont tend to be on paths

Dangerous is contextual. A spider is likely to run away from you so they arent that dangerous so long as you apply common sense when you spot one (basically avoid it)

id say theres more dangerous animals in America. America has bears and murder hornets

The way you're talking so nonchalant about such dangerous creatures...you Aussies are made of some pretty tough stuff.

Its just a part of our life here, I guess. Honestly don't think about it 99% of the time.

I live in the "bush capital", so we have a mix between regular city life and "rural" areas.

There's been times I've gone for a bike ride and I'll see a brown snake (another one of the most venomous creatures) sun baking on the bike path. And as you get close to it, they'll quickly slither away.

Most things are harmless unless you provoke them. And they're pretty rare.

You're more at risk of a kangaroo jumping out onto the road and hitting that with your car than you are to get bitten or run across one of these super deadly creatures. Roos are a menace to our roads.

But if you go real country, this can happen....

https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/australias-mysterious-spider-rain-explained/news-story/c51d72e4a231731bb42e5f5a1010a7d5

Raining spiders!!!!! Enjoy your sleep! One place this happens is only about 1.5 - 2 hours away from me.

Welp. That's one more place I'll never visit.

To be fair, with the exception of certain spiders, the majority of people in Australia would not come across most of our deadly wildlife, other than seeing them in a zoo/wildlife park.

To be fair, with the exception of certain spiders, the majority of people in Australia would not come across most of our deadly wildlife, other than seeing them in a zoo/wildlife park.

Why does Australia have so many deadly creatures? Quit it already

stupid little spider

I've never been threatened or harmed by a stupid little spider

if you go real country, this can happen....

https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/australias-mysterious-spider-rain-explained/news-story/c51d72e4a231731bb42e5f5a1010a7d5

Raining spiders!!!!! Enjoy your sleep! One place this happens is only about 1.5 - 2 hours away from me.

bigger and more venomous than its relatives

Well if that isn't an apt description of Australian critters.

Can they undiscover it?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/d/da419670.jpg

Double death. Big and hairy like regular tarantulas but shiny like black widows. WTF Australia.

Props to the Aussies though. You guys have like 90% of the animals that can kill you but are still happy go lucky. We need some of that here in the US. Not the deadly creatures. The positive attitude.