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.

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

All that’s left to say is that we now know which spider species must have inspired Harry Potter’s giant human-eating Aragog.

While filming a TV documentary inside an old Victorian gunpowder store in Northern Ireland, scientists made an intriguing ...

Scientists in Australia have discovered a ‘giant’ species of Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the world ... for a total of 13 deaths although no human fatalities have occurred since the ...

open image in gallery New ‘Big Boy’ funnel-web spider species Atrax christenseni ... Mater Newcastle Hospital said. “Although no human fatalities have occurred since the development of ...

Last week, a record-breaking Newcastle funnel-web spider ... no human deaths from funnel-web bites since the 1980s when an antivenom was developed. The creature has been nicknamed ‘Big Boy ...

"This particular spider ... human fatalities have occurred since the development of antivenom in the 1980s, according to the Australian Museum. The same antivenom is effective in treating bites ...

Their venom contains a toxin that attacks the human nervous system, so bites need immediate medical attention — otherwise, a victim can die within 15 minutes. The Sydney funnel-web spider was ...