ultimateimp – At the Australian Reptile Park, Emma Teni milks up to 80 Sydney funnel-web spiders daily in a room dedicated to venom collection. Holding a small pipette connected to a suction hose, she carefully extracts venom from the spider’s fangs. These spiders, known as some of the most dangerous in the world, are responsible for fast-acting bites that can kill within minutes.
The venom, however, is used to produce life-saving antivenom. Since the government-supported programme began in 1981, no one has died from a Sydney funnel-web spider bite. To meet demand, the park relies on the public to catch and safely deliver these spiders to drop-off points like vet clinics. Despite the spider’s terrifying reputation, Emma urges people not to kill them but to hand them over safely.
Male spiders, six to seven times more toxic than females, are milked every two weeks. Just one vial of antivenom requires venom from 200 spiders.
A Growing Public Role: Citizens Join the Fight Against Venomous Threats
Australians play a crucial role in maintaining the antivenom supply chain. People who find funnel-web spiders in their homes or gardens are encouraged to bring them to designated collection points. Donated spiders often arrive in makeshift containers, like Vegemite jars.
One such contributor, Charlie Simpson, a young gardener, caught two Sydney funnel-web spiders shortly after moving into his new home. Recognizing the importance of antivenom, he wore gloves and delivered the spiders to a local vet. Emma Teni later collected the spiders for milking.
Although Emma advises against intentionally seeking out these spiders, she praises people like Charlie for their courage and responsibility. The spiders they hand over could save someone’s life. The Australian Reptile Park uses females in a breeding program to support future antivenom production, while the more toxic males are prioritized for venom extraction.
Snake Venom Collection: A Dangerous but Essential Task
Alongside spiders, the Australian Reptile Park also collects venom from the country’s most dangerous snakes. Billy Collett, the park’s operations manager, milks snakes like the King Brown and Eastern Brown using a steady hand and a shot glass covered in cling film. The venom drips from the fangs into the glass, each drop potentially lethal.
Despite their reputation, Collett explains that snakes rarely bite unless provoked. He emphasizes that many snake bites occur when people try to kill or move the animals. The venom collected at the park is freeze-dried and stored before being sent to CSL Seqirus, a Melbourne-based lab that converts it into antivenom.
The lab stores vials labeled with names like Death Adder, Tiger Snake, and Taipan. Each venom type is used to create specific treatments depending on regional snake populations across Australia.
From Animal to Antidote: The Long Journey of Antivenom Production
Turning venom into antivenom requires time and precision. CSL Seqirus injects small doses of snake venom into horses, which then develop antibodies over time. These horses are ideal because of their large size and strong immune systems. For spider venom, CSL Seqirus uses rabbits, as they are immune to funnel-web toxins.
Building immunity in these animals can take months. Once scientists draw their blood, they extract the antibody-rich plasma and isolate the healing proteins. They then bottle these antibodies into vials, which remain effective for up to three years.
Each year, CSL Seqirus produces about 7,000 vials of antivenom, covering a range of creatures including spiders, snakes, box jellyfish, and stonefish. The company distributes these vials across Australia and to countries like Papua New Guinea, where snakebites are more common. Australia’s remote communities, navy ships, and air ambulances carry these vials to ensure rapid treatment.
Why Australia Is the Safest Place to Be Bitten by a Deadly Animal
Despite its reputation for dangerous wildlife, Australia is one of the safest countries when it comes to surviving venomous bites. Thanks to its world-leading antivenom programme, the country records very few deaths from venomous animals. In fact, between one and four people die from snake bites in Australia each year, compared to over 140,000 globally.
Dr. Jules Bayliss of CSL Seqirus explains that the team carefully manages distribution. They send vials to areas with the highest risk based on known animal habitats. The Royal Flying Doctors deliver supplies to remote areas, and ships receive stockpiles of sea snake antivenom. The programme also extends to Papua New Guinea, where it saves thousands of lives through regional health support.
