Heatwave conditions across New South Wales have been stirring some scary creatures - with an increase in funnel-web spider activity that has led to two people being bitten by the spiders in recent weeks.
The Australian Reptile Park said the recent warm humid conditions have encouraged the spiders to be active.
But while conditions may be perfect for the highly venomous creepy-crawly, authorities say supplies of life-saving funnel-web antivenom are running low.
Captive spiders are milked of their venom as part of the antivenom manufacturing process at the Central Coast's Australian Reptile Park, which is the only wildlife sanctuary in the nation that milks the spiders.
But keepers say not enough spiders are being handed in by the public, meaning stocks are alarmingly low.