Eastern tarantula (Phlogius crassipes), spider venom research. This species of tarantula is native to Australia. It was collected from the wild by spider venom researcher David Wilson. This female is milked for its venom about once a month. The venom is being studied as a possible source of novel anti-cancer drugs. Tarantulas have to be induced to bite and release their venom. A small electric current is passed over the chelicerae or fang base of the spider and the venom is collected in a tube. Photographed at the Australian Institute for Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.