Why a zoo is asking for the public's help capturing deadly spiders
An animal park down under is asking the public to help catch deadly arachnids!
Australian Reptile Park has put out the call for citizens to help capture funnel-web spiders. These creatures have a poisonous venom that can be milked and used to make a spider bite antidote.
Anti-venom stockpiles are getting low, prompting the zoo to ask for more assistance. Since the development of the anti-venom, there have been no recorded deaths from funnel-web spiders.
People are warned to use a tall glass jar with holes in the lid to hold the spiders, as the funnel-web's fangs are so sharp they can spear right through a typical plastic take-out container.
It somewhat goes without saying, but don't touch them with your bare hands as they're "very aggressive, so they rear up."
Can you believe capturing venomous spiders is a volunteer position? Once apprehended, people can drop captured spiders off at hospitals or the zoo itself.
You won't be finding funnel-web spiders in the typical suburban backyard, as they are native to the eastern coast of Australia. Another place you're likely to find them is in nightmares, because these things are pretty scary!
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