Der Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales fordert die Einwohner Sydneys auf, Trichternetzspinnen und ihre Eier sorgfältig einzusammeln, damit daraus lebensrettende Gegengifte hergestellt werden können

If you saw a funnel-web spider sitting on her egg sac, your first instinct might be to run away. But the Australian Reptile Park in New South Wales is urging residents of nearby Sydney to carefully collect both the spider and her eggs in a secure container so they can be [used to make life-saving antivenom](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/15/science/funnel-web-spiders-catch-australia-intl-scli/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit).

Funnel-webs, whose most dangerous species lives in and around Sydney, are known for their deadly, fast-acting venom. Before the antivenom was introduced in 1981, 13 people died as a result of funnel-web bites. Since its introduction, there have been no fatalities.

The Australian Reptile Park issues this [callout](https://www.reptilepark.com.au/urgent-call-for-funnel-web-spider-donations/) to the public every November when the spiders’ breeding season begins and stresses its importance in helping to save lives. The zoo is the sole supplier of funnel-web spider antivenom, which it produces by milking the spiders collected.