HERCULES SPIDER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: In a recent discovery on the Central Coast, approximately 80 km north of Sydney, the largest male funnel web spider ever recorded, named "Hercules," has made headlines.

Hercules spider

• Geographical Range: Found in forested regions and gardens, Hercules and its counterparts inhabit areas spanning from Sydney, Australia, to the coastal city of Newcastle in the north, and the Blue Mountains to the west.

• Habitat: The warm and humid climate along Australia's east coast provides an ideal breeding ground for funnel web spiders like Hercules.
• Characteristics

oSize: Hercules, the largest male funnel web spider ever recorded, boasts an impressive size measuring 3.1 inches from foot to foot.

oVenomous Fangs: Equipped with fangs capable of penetrating human nails, Hercules stands as the world's most venomous arachnid.

oMagnitude Milestone: Hercules represents the first male funnel web spider recorded with such significant magnitude.

oLethality of Males: Male funnel web spiders, exemplified by Hercules, are known to be more lethal than their female counterparts.