A common myth is believed by most people i.e. Spiders are insects. This is not true spiders are not insects. They belong to a different class of animals which is called Arachnids. They have eight legs but no antenna presents like insects. Their body is divided into two parts; the front part is called the cephalothorax while the other part is the abdomen.
Spiders belong to a group of animals called Arachnids. Other creatures like Scorpions, ticks, and mites also belong to the same group.
- Species- More than 45,000 species of spiders are known all across the globe.
- Size- Spiders vary in size they can be as small as .011 inches or can be as massive as a foot long depending upon the type of its species.
- Anatomy-Spider has two body parts, no wings, no antenna, four pairs of legs, and eight eyes.
- Specialty- The thing that makes spiders special is their ability to produce silk. They spin silk in the form of webs. Each spider can produce 7 different forms of silk.
Let’s discuss whether spiders are poisonous or not and what is the physiology behind producing poison.
Contents
Why are spiders poisonous?
First of all, there are two terms you should differentiate between.
- Venomous- It is defined as any organism that bites to inject its toxic substance into the body of the target.
- Poisonous- An organism is poisonous when it releases all of its toxic substances in the body of whoever eats them.
All of the spiders are venomous, do not confuse between these two terms. Whenever the spider feels threatened by any external organism or substance it intends to bite. Mostly in the cases where it undergoes habitat loss, fire and pesticides also alarm them. They try to counter-attack in order to save themselves.
The common spiders are not to be worried about. Even if they do bite it is not harmful to the human body. In most cases, you can feel a localized pain which is similar to the wasp sting. Sometimes a bite from the spider can cause skin irritation and redness which can be painful for a short period of time. They do not cause any other health issues nor are they fatal. So, this will answer our question Are Spiders Poisonous? Let’s move to some more details.
Dangerous species of spider:
There are two species of spiders that are able to cause harm to the human body. They both are classified below:
Black widow spider
It contains venom that is called a neurotoxin. Once injected into the human body after the spider bite it can cause dizziness, extreme headache, shortness of breath, and other systematic problems. The chance of death is 2%. Any person having a weaker immune system or pre-existing symptoms can die because of the neurotoxin. Neurotoxin basically acts on the nervous system of the human body.
Brown recluse spider
If a brown recluse spider bites, you will not feel any pain. If you haven’t seen the spider itself you will not even know about it. The bite is painless but after some time the area where the spider bit starts to get inflamed and tender. Mild to severe redness can be seen. It can also cause a burning sensation and skin irritation. In most cases, they heal on their own in 3 to 5 days. If a large amount of venom is injected by the spider. It can develop necrotic tissue in the affected area.
How does a spider produce its poison?
Almost all spiders use the same method of killing and producing venom.
The jaw is the major weapon- Spider has a pair of joint jaws in front of its mouth. It is called chelicerae. Each of the pairs has two parts.
Basal segment- It is the bulk of the jaw.
Fang- It is sharp and housed inside the basal segment.
The Fang acts like a needle. The spiders swing the fang into the body of the prey. It has a small hole on the tip and deep inside a hollow duck is present. Duct is directly connected with the venom gland. When the spider uses its fang to pierce the prey, venom is squeezed out in the prey’s body. The amount of neurotoxin is enough to paralyze the prey providing the spider with the chance to feast on it. These preys are usually flies or small insects.
How to protect yourself from spider poison?
Are Spiders Poisonous? Spiders contain venom, which can be harmful to human beings sometimes. Pesticides are used commonly outdoors, especially in those areas where dangerous species of spiders are present, to seek refuge from the spiders.
You should not put a pile of clutter in one place. Such places become homes to the spiders. Every week clean your house thoroughly; look for spider webs under the furniture and in each corner.
Start using plastic boxes instead of cardboard boxes. Spiders mostly get attracted to cardboard boxes. Reduce the empty spaces in your house. Spray insecticides and pesticides in your storage rooms to reduce the chances of spiders making webs. Clear all the dirt around your house, keep cutting the tall grass on regular basis. Cover yourself properly while going out, wear long-sleeved shirts.
What to do if a poisonous spider bites you?
If a poisonous spider bites you, you should immediately wash the infected area with water; mild soap can also be used. You should apply for an antibiotic appointment immediately to avoid swelling and redness. If you feel Irritation on the skin, apply a cold pack to reduce the infection. In case of pain, take a pain reliever in wait for some time. If the symptoms get severe you should immediately visit a doctor for the inspection of the bite.
Final thoughts
Are Spiders Poisonous? They are not poisonous in fact they are venomous. Most of its species are not harmful to human health. Some of the dangerous species can cause temporary effects that heal on their own. In some of the rarest cases, the symptoms get worse for which medical consultation is recommended.
