We’ve all heard it from our overseas friends: “We’d love to visit, but what about the snakes and spiders?” Now, we’ve given them more to fret over, a new species of Sydney funnel web spider that’s bigger, possibly deadlier, and already infamous.

Dubbed “the big boy,” this arachnid is a hefty reminder of Australia’s creepy-crawly reputation.

Scientists recently discovered this “monster” spider lurking near Newcastle, confirming it as a new species after years of research. With a body twice the size of a typical male funnel web and fangs strong enough to pierce fingernails, it’s not exactly a cuddle bug.

But before panic sets in, there’s good news. The existing antivenom works for this spider too, even if it delivers a more potent bite. Prevention remains key, check your shoes, avoid sticking your hands into dark crevices, and keep your home and garden tidy.

If bitten, the advice is simple: stay calm, apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, and get to a hospital for antivenom treatment.

So while “the big boy” might send shivers down spines worldwide, let’s embrace it as yet another wild tale to share with our visiting friends, if they ever work up the nerve to book their tickets.