Dark Earth Tiger Tarantula? The 73 New Answer

Tarantulas are a popular pet spider with more than 800 species varying in color, size, and characteristics. They often tend to have docile personalities and are slow moving. The best beginner tarantulas are ground dwellers or burrowers. With proper care, many of these animals can live around 10 years or more in captivity. Here are 10 species of tarantulas that can make fascinating pets.

Tip Tarantulas can bite and their bites are poisonous. However, in most species, toxicity is similar to that of a bee sting. However, like a bee sting, some people can experience serious allergic reactions to a tarantula bite.

reproduction and development

After their mature molt, males develop a “finger” on the underside of the first set of forelimbs that is used to hook and lock the females’ fangs and to stabilize themselves during mating. After mating, the males die within a few months.

The female must have recently molted in order to reproduce, or acquired sperm will be lost during molting. After mating, the female forms a web in which she lays 50 to 200 eggs, which are fertilized as they leave her body. The female then wraps the eggs into a ball, and unlike other tarantula species, the female carries the egg sac with her. Almost the size of a tennis ball, egg sacs contain about 70 spiders.

In order to grow, they must go through several moults. Molting is the process by which the tarantula sheds its old exoskeleton and emerges in a new, larger one. Spiderlings can be expected to molt five or six times in their first year. They take about two to three years to reach maturity.

In a world where even the smallest of spiders can evoke a fearful squeak, Theraphosa Blond takes scare tactics to a whole new level.

This South American tarantula holds the record for the world’s largest spider. Other spiders may have longer legs, but T. blondi’s large body means their total weight can reach 6 ounces (170 grams).

Commonly known as the Goliath Birdeater due to an 18th-century engraving showing another member of the tarantula family eating a hummingbird—giving the entire Theraphosa genus the nickname “birdeater”—the gargantuan spider isn’t quite as menacing , as it may seem .

Despite its nickname, T. blondi rarely devours birds, notes the Encyclopedia of Life. According to George Washington University spider expert Gustavo Hormiga, T. blondi primarily eats arthropods.

“They are generally predators, and if they encounter other vertebrates like a small mouse or lizard, they may eat them, too,” says Hormiga.

But don’t expect this goliath to use a giant web to snare its prey – T. blondi hunts for its meals the old-fashioned way, using its large fangs to bite and kill. (Watch the video: “How to Survive a Giant Tarantula Encounter.”)

Like most spiders, T. blondi produces venom, although Hormiga notes that it is not particularly venomous to humans. The bites have been described as feeling like wasp stings, but they almost never require medical attention.

Beware of the hair

Although T. blondi does not weave a web, it does produce and use silk. The spider lives in burrows under the forest floor, which it lines with silk to give the structure more stability. Should a mammal attempt to dig up the burrow for a tasty spider snack, T. blondi has a weapon more useful than venom: urticating hairs on its abdomen. (The technical term is bristles, since only mammals have hair, but scientists also use the more popular term in conversation.)

“These have the shape of little harpoons when you look at them under a microscope,” Hormiga says, giving the hairs the ability to embed themselves into the skin.

“These spiders very quickly rub their fourth pair of legs against their abdomen to loosen the hairs, which then fly up in the air. These are very itchy.” (Related: “Tarents shoot silk off their feet, Spider-Man style.”)

The gnawing hairs don’t have to be airborne to do their damage, though—researchers and pet spider owners must handle the goliath birdeaters with gloves. For large animals like humans, the hairs are merely irritating and itchy, but for smaller mammals like mice, they can be deadly.

T. blondi females lay between 50 and 150 eggs in a huge sac that can be over 30 millimeters in diameter. They cover the pouch with urticating hairs to keep predators away.

It takes about two to three years for these juveniles to mature; They spend much of their time living in their burrow with their mother until they are old enough to fend for themselves. Although females can live up to 20 years, males have a life span of only 3 to 6 years and often die shortly after reaching sexual maturity and mating.

Taste like shrimp?

Many of the natives of northeastern South America consider T. blondi a tasty snack. They first singe the gnawing hairs, and then wrap the spider in banana leaves to fry. Tarantula expert Rick West, who once sat down with the native Piaroa peoples of the Amazon in Venezuela for a meal of these spiders, says T. blondi can be surprisingly tasty and moist. (See also “UN Urges You to Eat Bugs; 8 Popular Bugs to Try.”)

“The white muscle meat tastes like smoked shrimp, while the sticky belly contents are hard-boiled in a rolled sheet and taste gritty and bitter,” says West. “The two centimeter long fangs are used as toothpicks after eating to remove the T. blondi exocuticle between the teeth.”

It’s not often that your dinner comes with built-in toothpicks. However, despite its shrimp-like flavor, you probably won’t see the goliath birdeater on a restaurant menu anytime soon.

The world’s largest known spider is a male Goliath tarantula (Theraphosa blondi) collected in April 1965 by members of the Pablo San Martin Expedition in Rio Cavro, Venezuela. She had a record leg span of 28 cm (11 in) – enough to set a plate. This species occurs in the coastal rainforests of Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana, but isolated specimens have also been reported from Venezuela and Brazil.

A two-year-old spider of the same species, bred by Robert Bustard and raised by Brian Burnett of Alyth, Perthshire, also had a leg span of 28 cm (11 in) and weighed 170 g (6 oz) in February 1998.

Body length: 280mm Weight: 50g Lifespan: 10 years Discovery: 1804.

A colossal spider

(Photo credit: Piotr Naskrecki)

Imagine a spider the size of a child’s forearm and the weight of a puppy. That’s how big the South American Goliath Birdeater – arguably the world’s largest spider – can get. Entomologist and photographer Piotr Naskrecki encountered one on a night walk in Guyana’s rainforest and initially thought it was a small, hairy mammal. Here’s a quick look at the fearsome eight-legged beast – arachnophobes take note! [Read full story about encountering the Goliath spiders]

spider in hand

(Photo credit: Piotr Naskrecki)

The South American goliath birdeater (Theraphosa blondi) is the world’s largest spider, according to Guinness World Records. Its legs can grow up to 30 inches long and it can weigh up to 6 ounces. (170 grams).

defense mechanism

(Photo credit: Piotr Naskrecki)

The spider has three lines of defense. By rubbing its legs against its stomach, it produces a cloud of tiny, spiky hairs that get into the eyes and mucous membranes, causing extreme pain and itching for days. It has two-inch fangs strong enough to pierce a mouse’s skull. And it can make a hissing sound by rubbing its hairs together, which sounds like pulling the velcro apart.

“bird eater”

(Photo credit: Piotr Naskrecki)

Despite its name, the goliath birdeater does not typically eat birds (although it is definitely capable of it). Instead, it eats anything it can find on the ground — usually earthworms, frogs, or other small invertebrates that inject venom into its prey with its long fangs. The spider doesn’t pose much of a threat to humans, although a bite would be “like driving a nail through your hand,” Naskrecki said.

Guyana specimen

(Photo credit: Piotr Naskrecki)

Naskrecki encountered this specimen, a female, on a trip to Guyana and captured it to take home. It is now kept in a museum. Naskrecki has only seen three bird eaters in total in his career.

deter predators

(Image credit: AppStock | Shutterstock.com)

The goliath birdeater has many ways to deter potential predators, including a behavior called stridulation, in which it rubs the bristles on its first two legs and pedipalps together to make a hissing sound. The spider can also strike a creepy pose by arching its first two pairs of legs backwards and “folding back its fangs,” so it’s in perfect bite mode, according to the Natural History Museum. As if that weren’t enough, the Goliath can flick spiky hairs from its abdomen at potential enemies – the hairs can irritate the skin of such enemies.

Grow up

(Image credit: Audrey Snider-Bell | Shutterstock.com)

The spiders take about two to three years to mature. And as a type of tarantula, the goliath birdeater molts into adulthood; which allows the crawlies to regenerate damaged or lost limbs, according to the Natural History Museum.

Close

(Image credit: B&T Media Group Inc. | Shutterstock.com)

Here is a close-up view of a goliath birdeater tarantula. The beast can grow as long as a child’s forearm and weigh over 6 ounces. (170 grams), according to Naskrecki.

huntsman spider

(Photo credit: Marie Knight/University of Florida.)

Some sources say that the giant huntsman spider is larger than the goliath birdeater due to its sweeping leg span. The hunter’s legs, instead of bending vertically to the body, have twisted joints that allow the legs to spread forward and sideways, much like a crab, according to the Australian Museum.

Although tarantulas may look scary, people familiar with the large, hairy spiders know that they are mostly harmless pets. However, some species have a vicious bite, a new medical case report shows.

According to the case report, a 45-year-old man went to an emergency room in Switzerland and complained of severe muscle spasms and chest pain. These symptoms can occur with a number of medical conditions, said Dr. Joan Fuchs, resident and specialist in poisonous and poisonous animals at the Swiss Toxicological Information Center, who reported on the man’s case in Toxicon magazine in November.

In this case, however, the diagnosis was easy: the man told doctors that one of his nine pet spiders had bitten his finger the night before while he was feeding it.

“Tarantulas only bite when strongly provoked or when they are fed and mistake a finger for their prey, as in our case,” Fuchs told Live Science.

The spider was a member of the species Poecilotheria regalis, also known as the Indian ornamental tree spider or royal parachute spider. For spider lovers, P. regalis makes a beautiful pet, with a leg span of up to 16 centimeters and striking blue, white, yellow, and tan markings.

Although the man’s bite was initially painless, with only mild redness and swelling, two hours later hot flashes and sweating began, and 15 hours after the bite, severe muscle spasms sent him to the emergency room.

Poisonous Species

Fuchs and her colleagues wanted to know if pet spiders are responsible for similar cases. They found that the Swiss Toxicological Information Center had received ten calls about Poecilotheria bites since 1995. They also found eight cases of Poecilotheria bites in medical journals and 18 anecdotal reports in blogs run by arachnid enthusiasts. [Photos: World’s Creepiest Spiders]

An analysis of these cases revealed that 17 of the spider bite victims were men, two were women, and seven did not specify their gender. Thirteen of the bites affected people’s fingers, seven the hand or arm. One person reported being bitten on the cheek. Another person was bitten on the thigh. A third reported being bitten on the shoulder.

In half the cases, the bites were characterized by redness and swelling, and 73 percent of those bitten reported moderate pain. Fifty-eight percent had muscle spasms like the man in the ER. Reports of itching, stiff joints, sweating and chest tightness were everywhere.

Bite frequency is fairly low, Fuchs said, although likely underreported. The fact that only 58 percent of the victims experienced muscle spasms suggests the rest of the bites were “dry” bites, where the spider didn’t inject venom.

Poecilotheria spiders deliver more venom than other large tarantulas, which could be why the symptoms are more severe than most other tarantula bites, Fuchs said.

keeping pet spiders

The Swiss was treated with the muscle-relaxing and sedative drugs lorazepam and midazolam for his symptoms. He left the hospital after five hours, but his muscle spasms lasted for three weeks. In other cases found by Fuchs and her colleagues, symptoms lasted an average of seven days, but some symptoms lasted up to a month.

The spider was unharmed in the encounter – although researchers reported that it “died unexpectedly two months after the incident”.

Spider bites from pets are rare, Fuchs said.

“I don’t think there’s really anything to worry about, but awareness is still important,” she said.

Doctors should be aware that some bites can cause long-lasting convulsions and that some people keep truly dangerous species like the venomous Sydney funnel-web spider as pets, Fuchs said. Tarantula owners should know their spider’s Latin name, as it’s important for letting doctors know when a bite occurs.

And not all tarantulas bite, Fuchs warned. American species “tend to bombard you with their urticating hairs,” she said. These hairs are found on the spiders abdomen; When threatened, they rub their legs against their bellies to release a cloud of tiny hairs that irritate the skin and cause asthma-like symptoms.

Repeated contact with the hair can trigger allergies, Fuchs said, but even one contact can be very uncomfortable. In 2009, doctors reported in the Lancet magazine a case of a 29-year-old man with urticating hairs from his pet tarantula stuck in his eye.

Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter and Google+. Follow us on @livescience, Facebook & Google+. Original article on LiveScience.

Spiders are fascinating creatures to watch, but before you buy one for yourself, do your homework so you can properly determine if owning a spider is right for you as well as the other members of your household. These fascinating creatures are special, and while they are not overly demanding of their care, they should be given the same devoted care you would any pet.

advantages

Many owners get pets on the spur of the moment, and once the novelty wears off, they get tired of caring for them. This often happens with spiders. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a spider for a pet:

Spiders are calm and clean.

Spiders can live quite comfortably in a small terrarium that takes up very little space.

Pet spiders are fascinating to watch.

Spiders are inexpensive to care for.

A spider requires little to no socialization, so it won’t be lonely if you only own one.

Possible disadvantages

Despite their convenience and simplicity, the following must be considered before owning a spider:

Almost all spiders are poisonous to some degree. Before choosing a spider for a pet, you need to consider that some spiders have stronger venom than others. There are people who are allergic to spider venom (even at very low potencies) just as some people would be allergic to a bee sting.

Tarantulas have more than one protection mode. In addition to their mildly venomous venom, they can flick their belly hairs if they feel threatened.

Many spiders are natural escape artists and need a well-sealed environment to keep themselves and your home safe.

Most spiders don’t live very long, even under ideal conditions. Tarantulas may be the only exception to this rule; sometimes live over 20 years with proper care.

Most spiders don’t like handling it. Dropping a tarantula can cause its abdomen to rupture, usually resulting in death.

Spiders don’t respond well to other pets.

Some states prohibit the purchase or possession of spiders.

Want to learn how to save at the vet? click here

Choosing the right pet

If you’re starting out with a spider, it’s best to choose a species that isn’t fragile or harmful. The best spider for beginners would be a tarantula like the Chilean rose, Mexican redleg, or Costa Rican zebra. These species are not very venomous and are quite docile compared to some other tarantulas (their venom is comparable to bee venom). Keep in mind that if you have children, many insect pets fall into the look-but-don’t-touch category, mainly because they may be too delicate to constantly handle outside of their primary caregiver.

things to remember

Check with local, state, and state government organizations for legality. Not all places allow spiders to be kept, whether venomous or not, so it’s a good idea to do some research before you buy.

Find out about the treatment (housing, environment, diet) required for the pet you are considering. While many pet spiders are inexpensive to own, providing the appropriate environment can be difficult for some species, particularly the larger exotic tarantulas. In most cases, you want to simulate their natural environment as closely as possible. Find out what is required for food and consider whether you will be able to provide the right diet.

Check the life expectancy of the species you choose. Many spiders have relatively short lifespans, but some tarantulas can live 20 to 30 years (and females are considerably hardier than males).

Learn the proper way to deal with your spider. While this is an obvious necessity for venomous animals, it is equally important for non-venomous arachnids. Improper handling can cause life-threatening or fatal wounds.

Find out exactly which species are poisonous from a reputable source; understand that even a mildly venomous tarantula can cause great pain. In addition, tarantulas have special fine hairs on their abdomens that they eject when threatened; These could be incredibly irritating and dangerous if they get in your eyes. If you do get a tarantula, make sure you find out not only how best to avoid bites, but also how to deal with bites should they occur. You should also figure out what to do if you’re exposed to the spider’s pesky belly hairs.

Common Name: Tarantulas Scientific Name: Theraphosidae Diet: Carnivore Average Lifespan in the Wild: Up to 30 years Size: 4.75 inches long; Leg Span: up to 11 inches Weight: 1 to 3 ounces Size relative to a teacup:

Tarantulas give some people goosebumps because of their large, hairy bodies and legs. But these spiders are harmless to humans (save for a painful bite) and their mild venom is weaker than that of a typical bee. These spiders have become popular pets among arachnid enthusiasts.

molting

Tarantulas regularly shed their outer skeletons in a process called moulting. In doing so, they also replace internal organs such as female genitals and stomach lining and even regrow lost appendages.

habitat

There are hundreds of tarantula species found in most tropical, subtropical, and arid regions of the world. They vary in color and behavior according to their specific environment. In general, however, tarantulas are soil-dwelling burrowers.

hunt

Tarantulas move slowly and deliberately, but are accomplished nocturnal predators. Insects are their main prey but they will also target larger game including frogs, toads and mice. As the name suggests, the South American tarantula can even prey on small birds.

A tarantula does not use a web to tie up prey, although it can spin a tripwire to signal an alarm if something approaches its burrow. These spiders grab with their limbs, inject paralyzing venom, and finish off their unfortunate victims with their fangs. They also secrete digestive enzymes to liquefy their victims’ bodies so they can suck them up through their straw-like mouth openings. After a large meal, the tarantula may not need to eat for a month.

Natural Threats

Tarantulas have few natural predators, but parasitic pepsi wasps are a formidable exception. Such a wasp paralyzes a tarantula with its sting and lays its eggs on the spider’s body. When the eggs hatch, wasp larvae feed on the surviving tarantula.

reproduction

The tarantula’s mating ritual begins when the male spins a web and deposits sperm on its surface. It will copulate using its pedipalps (short, leg-like appendages near the mouth) and then scurry away when it can – females sometimes eat their mates.

Females seal both eggs and sperm in a cocoon and guard it for six to nine weeks, when about 500 to 1,000 tarantulas hatch.

0:56

A number of spiders can cause medically important spider bites. Almost all spiders produce venom, but few are classified as “poisonous” and can cause significant harm to humans.[1] Two medicinally important genera of spiders are distributed worldwide – Latrodectus and Loxosceles. Others have a limited distribution.

Medical reports have been criticized for insufficient evidence. For the past century, both white-tailed and wolf spiders have been considered medicinally important, only to be revoked.[2] Only eight genera (Phoneutria, Atrax, Latrodectus, Loxosceles, Sicarius, Hexophthalma, Hadronyche, and Missulena) are considered medically significant. [citation needed] Bites from these spiders range in severity, with only a minority exhibiting severe symptoms. Deaths from verified spider bites are extremely rare (e.g. one in Australia in 37 years).[3]

Brazilian wandering spiders[edit]

The Brazilian wandering spider (a Ctenid spider) is a large brown spider similar in appearance to North American wolf spiders, although slightly larger. It has a highly toxic venom and is considered one of the most dangerous spiders in the world (along with the Australian funnel-web spiders).[4] Based on one of the few pharmacological studies conducted in the 1970s, the venom toxicity of Phoneutria was more virulent than both Atrax and Latrodectus.

As their name suggests, Brazilian wandering spiders are active ground hunters. If the spider has reason to be alarmed, it will bite to protect itself, but unless startled or provoked, most bites are non-venomous. Venom bites occur when the spider is pressed against something and hurts. In this case, the high levels of serotonin contained in the venom, as well as at least powerful chelicera, contribute to a very painful bite.

Children are more sensitive to the venom of wandering spiders. The spiders often make threatening gestures, such as raising their legs or jumping sideways on the ground, which can amuse a child enough to reach for the spider.[5] In humans, bites from this spider can also lead to persistent painful penile erections (priapism).[6] Scientists are trying to develop an erectile dysfunction treatment that can be combined with other drugs from the peptide that causes this reaction.[7]

Australian funnel-web spiders[ edit ]

Australia’s funnel-web spiders (families Hexathelidae, Atracidae, Macrothelidae, and Porrhothelidae), such as the Sydney funnel-web spider Atrax robustus (a mygalomorph spider not to be confused with the araneomorph funnel-weaver or grass spider), are considered to be among the most venomous in the world. They react vigorously to threats and reportedly try to bite more often than run away. A. robustus, a large black spider, is found within about 100 km of Sydney. Its venom contains a compound known as δ-atracotoxin, which is highly toxic to primates. About 10% of bites lead to serious symptoms with a total of 3-4 severe poisonings per year.[8][9][10]

Hadronyche and Atrax) venomous Australian funnel-web spiders Range of the two genera (and) venomous Australian funnel-web spiders

A. robustus is one of three designated species of the genus Atrax.[11][12] The related genus Hadronyche is represented by about 40 other dangerous species in eastern Australia, including Queensland and Tasmania. The males in this case have slightly stronger venom than the females and they also migrate, making them more likely to be found in the summer. Bites by males of two major species, the Sydney funnel-net and the northern tree funnel-net, have resulted in fatalities.[13] In one particular case, a person was bitten on the heel through their leather shoes after provoking the spider, indicating the great strength of the spider’s chelicerae.

Another genus in the family Hexathelidae has been reported to cause severe symptoms in humans. Severe bites but no fatalities have been attributed to members of the genus Macrothele in Taiwan.[14] In other mammals, such as rodents, the effects of funnel-web spider venom are much less severe.

Funnel-web spiders are related to other mygalomorphs such as tarantulas and trapdoor spiders. Resembling funnel webs in size and general appearance, these spiders also have huge chitinous fangs that can deliver painful bites, but their venom is usually extremely mild or harmless to humans.

Tangle web spiders [ edit ]

One genus of web spiders has venom that is known to be medicinally significant. This genus, the widow spiders of the genus Latrodectus, has caused fatalities in humans. The other genus, Steatoda, the false widow spiders, has yet to be proven to possess a venom of medicinal importance.

widow spiders[edit]

The widow spiders (genus Latrodectus), such as the black widow, redback spider, and katipō, are spiders that carry a neurotoxic venom[15] that can cause a range of symptoms known as latrodectus.

Widow spiders are large, shiny house spiders with relatively skinny legs and deep, spherical abdomens. Adult females have a dark and shiny abdomen with one or more red spots either above and/or below. The dots can be in the shape of an hourglass or two triangles, point-to-point. They rarely leave their webs, but can run quickly over short distances when they have to. Male widows and immature females can have a variety of stripes and spots on a browner, less spherical abdomen. The males are generally too small to be dangerous. Widows tend not to be aggressive. Some species, particularly those in North America, do not have a patch on their back, with the hourglass only becoming visible when the spider is hanging upside down, and thus can be confused with their less dangerous cousins, which is particularly the case in males is.

The Australian redback and North American widow species live close to humans and bites are common, numbering in the thousands each year. The venom causes very painful effects, including muscle spasms, “tetanus-like” contractions, nausea and vomiting, and severe general pain. A severe bite often requires a brief hospital stay to control the pain. Children may be less sensitive to severe effects of redback venom.[16] Nevertheless, children, as well as the elderly and sick, are advised to consult a doctor. Deaths were reported in up to 10% of cases in the early 20th century, but no deaths have been reported in the United States for decades, and only 0.5% of those bitten have had serious medical complications.[17] In 2016, a young Australian died ten days after being bitten; Follow-up care may have been flawed as he was discharged from hospital only to die a few days later. The previous record of a redback death in Australia dates from 1955.[18]

Fake Black Widows[ edit ]

The false black widow spiders (also known as false katipo, false button spider, closet spider, and in Australia, brown house spider) are spiders in the genus Steatoda. They are similar to widow spiders in size and physical shape as they are members of the same family. While the bite of steatoda spiders is never as serious as that of true widow spiders, several general symptoms have often been reported to appear outside the site of the bite, indicating the effects of venom. The bite of Steatoda grossa can cause nausea, widespread but short-lived pain, muscle spasms, and malaise; The medical community now refers to the symptoms of steatoda bites as steatodism. Other spiders in this genus with potentially symptomatic venom are two mainly European species, S. paykulliana and S. nobilis, and one species found mainly in New Zealand and South Africa, S. capensis.

The use of widow spider antivenom has been shown to be effective in treating steatodism.[19] The genera Steatoda and Latrodectus are biologically close relatives; both belong to the same family Theridiidae. There are over 100 species in this genus Steatoda, but only a few species have been associated with symptomatic bites, and many purported reports have not been confirmed as actual bites (actual bite event not seen, etc.) nor can they be directly assigned to specific species (no specimen collected and examined by an arachnologist, etc.).

Members of this genus are characterized by the “D” shape of the cephalothorax, and the way the relatively straight line so formed is reflected by the blunt anterior surface of the abdomen. Other genera in this family generally have more oval or even more rounded cephalothoraxes, giving the appearance of two body parts connected by a small connector.

Sicariidae Spiders[edit]

The Sicariidae family includes three genera that can cause potentially cytotoxic bites. One genus, Loxosceles, includes the recluse spiders (below). The other genera, Sicarius and Hexophthalma, are found only in the southern hemisphere, examples being Hexophthalma hahni and Sicarius ornatus.

Hermit spiders[edit]

Brown recluse. Note the darker brown “violin head” on the cephalothorax (centre of image).

Hermit spiders (Loxosceles spp.), like the brown recluse spider, also known as “fiddle spiders”, “fiddlers” or “fiddlebacks” due to the dark fiddle-shaped marking on the cephalothorax, are reclusive spiders that wander around in dark areas and under things. Large populations can infest a home with no reported bites.[20] Due to small fangs, bites happen when they get caught on the skin through clothing, bed sheets, etc. Most encounters with this spider occur while moving boxes or rummaging in closets or under beds. The range of the brown recluse L. reclusa in the US is restricted to the central and southern states. A number of related recluse spiders (some non-native introductions) are found in the western deserts. Reports of recluse bites far outnumber the spiders found in much of the US[21][22][23] For example, many brown recluse bites have been reported in the US West Coast states (Washington, Oregon, and Northern California), where Populations of brown recluse spiders have not been found.[24]

Most recluse spider bites are minor with a small area of ​​redness. However, a small number of bites result in severe dermonecrotic lesions and sometimes severe systemic reactions known as hemolytic anemia. Brown recluse bites have been suspected in several deaths.

A minority of bites form a necrotizing ulcer that destroys soft tissue and can take months and, in very rare cases, years to heal and leave deep scars. The damaged tissue turns black and eventually peels off. Bites often occur when dressing, as spiders are trapped in the sleeve or pant leg. Bites usually become painful and itchy within 2 to 8 hours, pain and other local effects worsen 12 to 36 hours after the bite, with necrosis developing over the next few days.[25] Swelling is common around the face.

Serious systemic effects known as visceral loxoscelism can occur before this point as the venom spreads throughout the body. Moderate symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, skin rashes, and muscle and joint pain. More severe symptoms, including hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation, rarely occur.[26] Debilitated patients, the elderly and children may be more susceptible to systemic loxoscelism.[27] Hemolysis can require a transfusion and lead to kidney failure. Deaths from suspected brown recluse poisoning have been reported.[28]

The Chilean hermit, a species native to South America, is known to cause systemic visceral loxoscxelism in 15% of reported cases and 3–4% of fatalities.[29]

Six-eyed sand spiders[ edit ]

The six-eyed sand spiders of southern Africa of the genus Hexophthalma and Sicarius from South America inject a cytotoxic venom containing sphingomyelinase D,[30] for which there is currently no antivenin. Fortunately, this specimen rarely interacts with humans and is rarely known to bite. This spider buries itself in the sand to ambush prey that wanders nearby. Sand particles cling to the cuticles on its abdomen, acting as a natural camouflage when uncovered.

Mouse spiders[edit]

The mouse spiders of the genus Missulena are a species of primitive digging spider found mainly in Australia and Chile in South America. Several species in this genus are known to possess a venom containing compounds similar to δ-atracotoxin, the substance in funnel-web venom that can be deadly. However, most victims of the bite experience only local pain and bleeding, a few more have limited neurotoxic symptoms (tingling, tachycardia, more widespread pain), and several bites from this spider have been recorded causing severe symptoms that required medical treatment.[31] There are no records of human deaths from mouse spider bites. When severe intoxication occurs, the funnel web antidote has been shown to be effective.[32]

Tarantulas[edit]

The tarantulas of the family Theraphosidae are fearsome looking spiders and a film and TV favorite. The fangs emit a weak poison while crushing the insect. The Sydney funnel-web spider is a relative with a much more potent neurotoxic venom. Trapdoor spiders, many of which resemble tarantulas but are shinier and less hairy, also have large fangs that deliver painful bites but have a very mild venom.

Brachypelma sp.), a New World species Mexican red-knee tarantula (sp.), a New World species

New World tarantulas[ edit ]

New World tarantulas—native to the Americas—have bites that generally pose little threat to humans (other than causing localized pain). The main defense of these spiders is through urticating hairs, which can cause irritative symptoms in humans.

Haplopelma lividum), an Old World species Cobalt blue tarantula (), an Old World species

Old world tarantulas[edit]

Old World tarantulas, particularly those native to Asia, do not have urticating hairs and can bite as a defense mechanism. They are far less docile than New World tarantulas and are more likely to bite if provoked.

Hobbyists report bites from Poecilotheria species occasionally resulting in hospitalizations. Symptoms include localized pain and swelling, fatigue, moderate to severe muscle spasms, shortness of breath, and fever, sometimes delayed days after the initial bite.[33][34][35][36] Medical records are missing. Pterinochilus murinus, Lampropelma nigerrimum, and members of the genera Stromatopelma, Heteroscodra, and Selenocosmia are other Old World tarantulas known for their particularly potent venom, which tends to cause severe muscle spasms.[37]

Venom of the Australian tarantula Selenocosmia spp. and Phlogiellus spp. is particularly toxic to dogs, with bites causing a high mortality rate in dogs.[38]

myths [edit]

There are several species of spiders (and related arachnids) that have had a false historical reputation for being harmful to humans.

Hobo spiders[ edit ]

Male hobo spider – note the large pedipalps

The hobo spider, Eratigena agrestis, can move away from its web, especially in the fall, and come into contact with humans. The Centers for Disease Control [39] blamed the hobo spider in three reports of necrotic “bites” in the Pacific Northwest United States between 1988 and 1996. Studies by arachnologist Darwin Vest reported that the venom of this spider caused significant necrotic effects in the laboratory Animals.[40][41] Many agricultural authorities have issued advice that this species is potentially harmful, and medical personnel in the western United States and Canada have been advised to consider hobo spider bites in patients with necrotic wounds.

However, in Europe, where the spider originated, the species is considered a harmless outdoor relative of the giant house spider (Eratigena atrica), and no other spider in the genus Eratigena is considered harmful to humans. Attempts to replicate Vest’s study, which reported necrotic effects of the venom, have failed, casting doubt on this spider’s “dangerous” status. In addition, Vest’s methods have been questioned; He was accused of wrongly attributing symptoms to hobo spider bites when the spider was not positively identified. [citation needed] The only fatality [39] attributed to the spider by medical authorities has also been questioned, and there are no documented cases where an otherwise healthy individual has developed a necrotic lesion from a positively identified hobo spider bite .

Lycosa tarantula[ edit ]

Lycosa tarantula, a species of wolf spider found near Taranto, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro (and the origin of the name tarantula, which today refers to an entirely different species of spider), was once responsible for a condition known as tarantism did. A bitten young woman would be forced to dance wildly in the central square – the tarantella. Cultural interpretations report sexuality as an important aspect of the “spider bite”. Originally viewed as mass hysteria, some scholars point to a culturally accepted means of exhibitionism. The history of medicine believes the confusion came from workers in the fields who would suffer bites and observed large, showy, hairy spiders in the area. This spider, L. tarantula, has been blamed for the pain and suffering (and occasional death) associated with tarantism. It is known that the bite of L. tarantula, although sometimes painful, does not have serious medical consequences for humans. It is also suspected that the real culprit was another spider, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, the European widow spider that causes latrodectism. Similar mass hysteria surrounds alleged brown recluse bites. Lycosa raptoria from South America has been reported to cause a painful bite, followed by intense tissue swelling and in some cases either mild systemic effects or a necrotic lesion. Subsequent investigations eliminated suspicion of the species.[42]

White-tailed spiders[edit]

White-tailed spiders (Lampona spp.), native to Australia and an invasive pest in New Zealand, have been blamed for a necrotic bite that produces symptoms similar to those of a brown recluse. The white-tailed spider (Lampona) has been associated with necrotic lesions for decades, but has been exonerated.[2] A study of 130 white-tailed spider bites found no necrotic ulcers or confirmed infections; just a red spot, local swelling and itching. Very occasionally, nausea, vomiting, malaise, or headaches may occur.[43]

Yellow sac spider[ edit ]

The yellow sac spider, Cheiracanthium sp., has been reported to induce necrotic skin lesions.[44] The few reports have been cited several times. Recent analyzes of numerous verified bites show no skin lesions but some localized pain and redness.[45][46] They are also very common in households and like to roam, suggesting a higher likelihood of the bites.

Harvester[ edit ]

Opiliones (Harvester)

The arachnid arachnids known as opiliones (also known as “harvesters” or “daddy long-legs”) are a species often handled by humans. They are the subject of an urban legend that not only claims that harvestmen are venomous, but are actually more venomous than any other spider, despite being unable to bite humans due to their lack of penetration. This is wrong on several counts. None of the known species have venom glands or fanged chelicerae, instead having smaller, pincer-like chelicerae that normally cannot penetrate human skin. Additionally, incidents of Opiliones biting humans are rare, and no reported bites from these species have had any lasting effects.

The term “daddy-long-legs” can also refer to the similar-looking basement spider. This species (a true spider) can bite humans, but its venom is not known to cause any effects beyond mild discomfort at the site of the bite.

Camel spiders[edit]

The arachnids of the order Solifugae, also known as wind scorpions, camel spiders or sun spiders, are neither spiders nor scorpions. In the Middle East, some American soldiers stationed there believe that Solifugae feed on living human flesh. Urban myth[48] claims that the creature injects some numbing toxin into its sleeping victim’s exposed skin, then feeds voraciously, causing the victim to wake with a gash. Solifugae, however, produce no such anesthetic and will not attack prey larger than themselves unless threatened.

In addition, Solifugae are known to have no venom (except for one species in India which one study [49] found may have venom). However, due to the size of their jaws, Solifugae bites can cause significant wounds that should be treated appropriately to avoid infection.[50]