Quote: “Just to post a warning to those who come into contact with a Black Widow. About 7 years ago I was bitten by Black Widow that was no bigger than a dime right on my left wrist while draining my automotive shop air tank moisture valves. When I saw what it was and only because I felt a little sting and pulled my arm back and smacked it off my wrist and it hit the ground upside down. For a second I thought, damn I’m in big trouble, then cooler heads prevailed and I figured do to the size that a tiny amount of venom wouldn’t do much, You know the MOCHO manly attitude of it can’t hurt me. Well let me tell you something, after an hour had passed people noticed my color and slurred speech as if I was drunk at 7 in the morning started to take hold. Then another 10 minutes I was doubled over with what I would call the worst stomach cramps that I have ever or thought could have. I went to take a customers car back to them 2 streets down and all I remember is I walked in and went to give the person the keys and then collapsed. I was rushed to the hospital by my friend and persons car I was working on which thank GOD was only about a mile away. Upon arrival, someone had called ahead and to this day I don’t know who and told them to be ready I was on the way. I don’t know what happened when I got there because I was in and out of consciousness and had more tubes put in me than I can remember. I was given 3 or 4 dosages of the anti-venom and stayed an entire week in there until I recovered enough to be sent home. Anyhow the moral of the story is that I played a deadly game with an animal that could have killed me and it almost succeeded because of my stupidity and so called he-man nature. In reality I was brought to my knees and will NEVER take a stupid chance like that again. The MORAL of the story is no matter how small or how bulletproof you think you are YOU/I/ANYONE are no match for one of GOD’s more venomous creatures and don’t let the size of the animal fool you as it did me. The bottom line is we don’t fair to well when bitten and injected with this type of poison and it can and will KILL people if they don’t seek help in time. Plainly put “Don’t be a fool and get your butt to a hospital ASAP!!!!!!!!” Unquote. Unedited.

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Sydney Funnel Web (Photo Credited To Wikipedia Commons User en:User:Tirin

5. Camel Spider The camel spider makes this list largely due to legend. Soldiers returning from Iraq have talked about finding spiders that are the size of a housecat. The truth is, the camel spider is not a spider at all. They are large, and they are scary looking. Most people think of them as spiders, so they make the list based on that alone.

4. Goliath Bird Eating Tarantula This spider is the biggest in the world. Goliath bird eaters can grow to the size of dinner plates, and they are known for that size. The truth is, the spider is scary to watch and look at. They are true miracles of the spider world.

3. Brown Recluse The brown recluse is famous and scary for one reason – their bite. When a brown recluse bites, their venom is necrotic. That is, the venom will begin to cause the skin and tissue to die in and around the wound. Horrific spider bites, amputations, and other dangerous outcomes for brown recluse bites have led to their inclusion on this list.

2. Black WidowThe black widow is the very definition of what a scary spider looks like. The signature hourglass on their abdomens is one of the iconic symbols of the spider world. This spider actually has a few different versions in the family, which include the southern and northern black widows, the brown widow, and the red widow. They all are creepy to most people but are actually quite shy and avoid biting when possible.

1. Sydney Funnel Web Spider Now this is one spider that has a very nasty disposition and the package to do some real damage. A Sydney funnel web spider can kill a healthy man without proper medical intervention, but what really scares people is the attitude of this spider. They are highly aggressive and will readily attack and bite you if you come near. The venom is among the most dangerous in the insect and spider world, and they have large fangs to deliver it with. The Sydney funnel web spider is my choice as the scariest spider in the world. How about you?

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The Brown Widow

The brown widow is actually very similar to the black widow as far as size. They have a bulbous abdomen, and they are about the same size as a black widow. They are generally slightly smaller than a full grown black widow, but this can vary because of age and so on.

Where the black widow is black and shiny, the brown widow can be many different colors. The usual color is brown, but they can be grey, black, or any color in between. Another huge difference in the two is the hourglass marking on their bellies. The brown widow sports an orange or yellow marking, and the black widow sports a red one.

The brown widow has a bite that is similar in toxicity to the black widow. It is not universally agreed upon as to the severity of a brown widow bite, but they are generally less dangerous than a black widow. Most believe this is due to the amount of venom injected in a brown widow bite, rather than the toxicity of the venom.

The brown widow is also rather timid. They will not even attack when you are near their egg sac, unlike their black widow cousins. The brown widow is not interested in biting humans, and will only do so if they are trapped against your skin or messed with. Speaking of egg sacs, the brown widow has a very distinctive one. Their egg sacs are spiky looking and they are the only spiders to have this unique egg sac. This is a great way to ensure you are dealing with a brown widow.

This spider is found throughout the Southeast and Northeast, and is spreading across the United States. Already you can find them in South Carolina, Texas, and other states that originally did not have them. This is largely due to the habit of brown widows to hitch a ride on vehicles. This inadvertant relocation method has been very effective over the years.

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Black Widow Pictures

Black Widow Pictures

Not many people go out taking black widow pictures, but for those that do it is important to be safe about it.  Black widow pictures are some of the most unique and powerful spider pictures on the planet.  The black widow pictures found on this page are all pictures that were available on the net as public domain, etc.  When you take black widow pictures in real life, it is a little bit like shooting pictures of any other dangerous wildlife.

Show respect, and provide proper distance.  This means having a great zoom lens when shooting black widow pictures is vital.

Black Widow Pictures

The first thing you should do when you locate a black widow to shoot a picture of is to make sure you have at least five feet of distance between you and the spider.  Black widows are not overly aggressive unless they are guarding egg sacs or feel threatened.  By giving the black widow at least five feet, you will help it to remain calm and likely go about it’s normal business.  You may even be able to catch a black widow spider feeding.  That makes for wonderful black widow pictures I assure you.

Another important safety note when shooting black widow pictures is to make certain you use the zoom.  To really get the

Black Widow Pictures

detail on the spider, while still keeping yourself safe from a black widow spider bite, it is integral that you use the zoom rather than moving your hands in close.  Black widow spiders are very fast in short bursts, and they can certainly give you a nasty spider bite if you get your hands too close.

There are a number of black widow pictures that can be found on the net for free, as they are the most popular spider to take photos of in America.  The tarantula runs a close second, but the black widow pictures just seem a bit more special.  They have such a lengendary reputation that even the brief sight of a

Black Widow Pictures

black widow picture can bring out feelings.  That is the point of wildlife photography is it not?

Remember, be careful, keep your distance, and use a great zoom lens.  This will guarantee you many wonderful black widow pictures and stay safe from spider bite while you take them.

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Pictures of Brown Recluse Spider Bites

What you should do when a brown recluse spider bites you:

1.  Do go to the emergency room or doctor.  Brown recluse spider bites are serious because the venom is necrotic.  That is, it eats away at and kills tissue under the skin.  These bites can lead to serious complications up to and including amputation.  Worst case scenarios may even include death.

2.  Do apply ice to a brown recluse spider bite.  This will help with swelling and pain, and should be done on the way to the doctor.

3.  Do wash the bite site with soap and cool water.  This will help the brown recluse spider bite site resist infection.

4.  Do elevate the limb above the heart.  Venom travels through the blood stream, and you want to keep the bite site above your heart.

5. Do take acetamenophene for any pain you experience from the brown recluse spider bite.

6.  Do remain calm after being bitten by a brown recluse spider.  The venom travels faster if you are excited or active.

What you should not do if bitten by a brown recluse spider:

1.  Do not risk retrieving the spider unless you can safely do so.  You do not want to risk another bite.  Try to identify the brown recluse.  You can read about brown recluse spider identification here.

2.  Do not ever add heat to the bite site.  Heat will cause the tissue to break down quicker with a brown recluse spider bite.

3.  Do not suck, cut, or attempt to remove the venom from a brown recluse spider bite.  This can cause further damage as well as an added risk of spreading the venom.

4.  Do not medicate the brown recluse bite site with creams, or medicines of any kind.  Some of these can cause major problems with a brown recluse spider bite.

When you arrive at the doctors, you may receive any number of treatments for your brown recluse spider bite.  These can include tetanus shots, allergy meds, pain medications, and even antibiotics.  These depend on the site, as well as your reaction to the brown recluse spider bite.

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Eight Legged Freaks – Giant spiders that take over the world is not a new concept. It has been done before. The thing about Eight Legged Freaks, however, is that they got species specific here. Trapdoor spiders, tarantulas, black widows, and even the popular jumping spider all made the cinematic cut. Granted they were all extra large and extra juiced up – still they scared people half to death. The first time you see the trap door spider flash from under the ground and drag someone under you will jump. I assure you.

Arachnaphobia – This movie was actually one that surprised me. The movie was much better than I figured it would be. Made quite a few years back, this movie does a great job of giving you the willies. The spiders are largely realistic, and there are a number of scenes where they crawl where they should not. Note the shower scene where the spider explores a girls cleavage. Not a very comfortable scene at all but deliciously spooky!

And then there are the movies that just use the real tarantula largely. Two of the best among these are the old classics Tarantulas – Deadly Cargo and Kingdom of the Spiders. These old flicks depended on the real deal to get there scares across. Tarantulas are genuinely creepy and perfect for a spider movie. They are largely docile spiders that will not usually bite unless they are threatened. This means that you can realistically use them in movies without much risk. Put a tarantula crawling up someone’s leg or arm and you have a great start to a spider movie.

I do believe that spider movies are far from worn out. The genre is need of a brand new movie, and I hope that someone puts one out soon. They are just too fun to leave on the cutting room floor. What was your favorite spider movie of all time?

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Black Widow

One fine day this past spring my wife sent me outside to finally gather and dispose of the trash that had been sitting for about a week or two.  Okay, so maybe it had been about a month, but a week or two sounds better.  Whatever the case, I let the trash go to long, and was now faced with gathering it up and getting it gone.  I headed out there and dove right in.

Now, seeing as how I am a bit of an expert on black widows, one would think I would have the sense to put on some gloves.  Why?  Well, black widows love trash.  Check.  Black widows love damp areas.  Check.  Black widows love dark areas.  Check.  Black widows go anywhere that insects might be.  Check.  I could go on.  The trash bags that had been sitting outside had been there quite a while, and they were the perfect homes for the black widow spider.  Yet I dove in with no gloves and even bare arms.  (legs too now that I think of it)

The black widow bite potential never crossed my mind as I was focused on trying to keep the bags from falling apart as I picked them up.  About six bags into my clean up, I reached down and grabbed a bag……As soon as i raised the bag off the ground, I looked just beyond my fingers and there she sat.  A big, fat, plump black widow.  She froze right away, and just looked at me.  We came face to fangs, if you will.

My initial reaction was to shiver because the dang spider was right there.  My hand could not have missed picking her up by more than a centimeter.  If I had reached just a hair farther, I would have picked her up in my bare hand.  A spider bite would have ensued.  As I stood there looking at her, I caught movement in my other hand.  Crawling from the top of the bag I was holding (with my other bare hand) was yet another plump black widow!!

I dropped the bag, and immediately backed away from the trash.  Amazingly I had come within a centimeter from two black widows and neither had bitten me.  Both black widows had plenty of opportunity and neither actually did.

I went and put on several layers to continue my work.  When I returned both spiders were gone. I dove into the rest of the trash with great care.  By the time I got through it, I encountered four more black widow spiders.  One of them actually crawled on my glove.

Yes, I crapped my pants but still did not get a venomous black widow spider bite.

The moral of the story?  Sometimes you can try to get bit, and not get bitten.  Then other times you can be minding your business and not even risking yourself and get bitten.  Black widows are not the aggressive spiders that they are put out to be.  I gave them plenty of chances that day for sure.

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Cuban Tarantula

Uticating hair is not something that you ever want to get in  your eyes or nasal cavity.  Tarantulas are known for having uticating hairs that they will flick into their enemies face.  These hairs are highly irritating, and certainly more than effective.  Many people worry about the tarantulas venom, and the uticating hairs are actually the bigger threat.  Uticating hairs are a much more likely reaction from a tarantula than a bite.

Tarantula hairs have a long and storied history.  Oddly, these hairs were used in products ranging from itching powders to national defense.  These hairs were used as a weapon against soldiers by smuggling them into the enemies laundry and rations.

Uticating hairs irritate the nasal membranes and cause massive problems.  They have been said to be so strong that they can cause temporary blindness if they get in your eyes.  These hairs are flung from the tarantula with incredible accuracy.

Not all tarantulas have this defensive weapon, but the majority do.  For this reason, one should always wash their hands very well after handling a tarantula.  Also, an irritated tarantula will certainly throw uticating hairs at a human.  Keep this in mind if you ever decide to play around with one.  Not only can they give a nasty bite, but they just might shoot you with these itchy, irritating hairs.

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Ironically, the truth about the Sydney funnel web spider is plenty scary enough.  This spider has the ability to kill a healthy human being without proper treatment of a bite, and it is not hesitant to deliver a deep bite.  The Sydney funnel web spider is highly aggressive when threatened or encountered, though not to the levels they are purported to reach.   Here are some of the hilarious Sydney funnel web spider myths and stories I have heard in my studies:

Sydney funnel web spider Myths and Stories:

- One website that I came across said that the Sydney funnel web spider he encountered literally chased him for half a mile….. Really.

- Another myth was that the Sydney funnel web spider was milked and filled up two cups full of venom.  This is not even funny it is so stupid.

- A fairly respected website I came across said that the Sydney funnel web spider can grow as big as a dinner plate.  Again, that is a massive exaggeration.

- The Sydney funnel web spider does not kill people in five minutes.  As a matter of fact, their have been no recorded human deaths since the advent of antivenin.  The venom is seriously dangerous without the antivenin, however.  Not five minutes deadly, but deadly all the same.

- Sydney funnel web spiders do not “set up house” inside of homes.  Males wander at night, and sometimes become trapped inside.   They do not wish to stay there, and will get out given the chance.  They do not stay on purpose.

- The Sydney funnel web spider does not jump up on top of people to bite them.  This again, is an exaggeration probably stemming from the fact that they rear up on their hind legs and stab with their fangs when they bite.  They do not leap across the room to chase you down.

Picture credited to Wikipedia User en:User:Tirin, www.takver.com

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Black Widow

Hopefully you are never unlucky enough to be bitten by a black widow spider, but just in case you do, it might be a good idea to know what to do.  The first thing in any venomous spider bite is to remain calm.  The black widow spider injects venom into your system that will spread much faster if you are panicked. Relax and know that you will be okay.

The first thing you should do is apply ice to the bite site. Wrap the ice in something such as a shirt, washcloth, or other covering and then apply.  Leave the ice on for about 9 minutes at a time, and then take it off for approximately the same amount of time.

The next step should actually be done while doing the above.  Transport the victim to the hospital or nearest medical facility.   Your job is done once the victim has reached the hospital.

When the spider bite victim reaches the hospital the doctor may take any number of steps.  These include muscle relaxants and careful blood pressure monitoring.  Certainly pain medicine will be administered if needed, and sometimes a medicine called antivenin is used.

Antivenin for black widow spider bites is called “lactodectrus mactans” and it is reserved for only the worst of the black widow spider bites.  The black widow antivenin is sometimes a problem with certain patients, so they are careful about who they administer it to.

The black widow spider is not always quick to release venom.  Sometimes the bites are “dry” or venom is not injected.  The black widow needs that venom to secure food and prey in the wild.  They do not want to waste it on a huge human that they can not eat.

Children, the elderly, and those in poor health are the most at risk group with black widow spider bites.  If you fall in this category and are bitten, you need to get to the hospital right away.  The vast majority of people that are bitten by black widow spiders recover fully and live to tell the tale.

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