Huge funnel web spider found in Newcastle and taken to Australian Reptile Park

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Biggest ever funnel web spider turned in to a hospital in Newcastle, NSW
The spider, nicknamed 'big boy', measures an incredible 7.5 centimetres
A bushwalker found the arachnid with venom dripping from its killer fangs
Australian Reptile Park will milk 'big boy' as part of its anti-venom program

Published: 19:21 EST, 24 January 2016 | Updated: 20:31 EST, 24 January 2016

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A massive funnel web spider named 'big boy' has been found and turned in to a hospital.

The huge spider, which measured 7.5 centimetres across, was dropped off by a terrified local at the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, New South Wales.

The horrifying creature had venom dripping off its deadly fangs when bushwalker stumbled across it.

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A massive funnel web spider named 'big boy' has been found and turned in to a hospital near Newcastle

After it was dropped off at the hospital, 'big boy' was picked up as part of the Australian Reptile Park's venom milking program and will now be used to make anti-venom to the arachnids killer bite.

Australian Reptile Park head curator Liz Vella said summer is the busiest time of the year for spider finds.

'January and February are the peak times when male funnel-web spiders are out trying to find females to mate and given that only males can be milked we really encourage local communities to hand them into the Australian Reptile Park or to participating hospital drop off centres within this peak season,' Ms Vella said.

'Funnel-web spiders only live for 12 months so we're constantly needing to re-stock our males. They're often found in sheltered, shady spots, which are always cool, humid and often damp.

The huge spider was dropped off at the John Hunter Hospital as part of the Australian Reptile Park's anti-venom program

NSW DROP-OFF POINTS FOR SPIDER ANTI-VENOM PROGRAM

Sydney

Westmead Hospital

Hornsby Hospital

Brookevale Greencross Vets

Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital

Hawkesbury City Council

Central Coast

Australian Reptile Park

Gosford Hospital

Wyong Hospital

Wyoming Veterinary Hospital

Newcastle

John Hunter Hospital

'They are a feisty species of spider and can be expected to stand their ground and defend themselves. For that reason we encourage adults to educate children that should they locate a spider of any kind that parental assistance be provided in the capture.'

Funnel web spiders are large and bulky in shape, usually growing to about three centimetres.

They build 'dens' in dark spaces or below rocks and logs in the wild that they use to set up 'trip-wires' to alert themselves when potential prey is near. Funnel webs are considered to be the world's deadliest spider.