The Sydney funnel-web spider, the most deadliest spider in the world  – with venom that can kill a human in just 15 minutes.

An unusual activity, in which the club became involved, was assisting in the area of research for an antidote for funnel-web spider venom. Club members participated in the location and catching of funnel-web spider specimens and were also able to help with the receipt and provision of funds to continue this research.

After a total of 13 recorded fatalities and years of research, an antivenom for the Sydney funnel web was finally developed in 1981. “And we haven’t had a fatality since”

The Funnel Web is one of Australia’s deadliest animals, with a venom that is packed with at least 40 different toxic proteins. A bite from a Funnel Web causes massive electrical over-load in the body’s nervous system. Finally, fatalities occur from either heart attack or a pulmonary oedema, where the capillaries around the lungs begin to leak fluid and the patient effectively drowns. Due to advances in anti-venom, there has been no death from a Funnel Web bite in Australia since 1980. Australia is home to some of the most deadly and poisonous animals on earth.

Funnel web spider web in grass.