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.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Here are the best black widow videos I could find on YouTube, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Now get to wiggling!

Hope you enjoyed these!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

To limit the side effects of black widow antivenin, the patient should consider the following:

• If they have had reactions to black widow antivenin before, they should tell the doctor.
• If they have any serious allergies, they should tell the doctor.
• If they are pregnant, then the doctor should know right away.
• If they are using any other types of medicines, the doctor needs to know.
• If they are breastfeeding, they should tell the doctor.

Assuming that these things are considered, and that the patient shows no other problems with black widow antivenin consideration, then black widow antivenin may be given as a rule.

Some more benign symptoms of black widow antivenin include:

• Fever
• Joint Pain
• Aching Muscles
• Enlarged Lymph Nodes
• Rashes

More serious symptoms of black widow antivenin include:

• Trouble Breathing or Swallowing
• Itching in the Hands or Feet
• Ears Becoming Red
• Swelling Anywhere above the Neck
• Sudden Weakness

The vast majority of black widow spider bites are relatively benign in nature. It is very very rare that someone dies from a black widow spider bite. Occasionally a small child or a elderly person may succumb to the Black widow spider bite venom. This is rare as well. In spite of the relatively small chances of death, the suffering of the black widow bite victim is usually rather common. For this reason, the black widow spider antivenin is widely used and accepted. Not only can it save a spider bite victim’s life, but it can reduce their suffering as well.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Black Widow Spider

I first told you all about my black widow encounter earlier this year, so I know the little buggers are around my home on the outside. I still had yet to see another one since that fateful day – until this afternoon that is. This time, the spider was in my house. (okay it was on my back porch but that is close enough)

After months of begging me to clean out our enclosed back porch, my wife finally hit the jackpot with me today. I got off my tail and went back there and started moving all the junk around. I noticed a spider or two here and there, but none of them were dangerous at all.

Eventually, I made my way to the cedar chest that was back in the corner. I opened it and immediately saw the random web of a black widow, complete with egg sac. Carefully, I looked around and searched for mama. I saw no spider anywhere, and concluded it was an abandoned web, or dead spider sac. I then went about the task of digging the books out of the cedar chest and cleaning it out.

I was pulling out books and stacking them on the floor behind me. One by one, I was taking them out and stacking them. Out of nowhere, I noticed a flash of movement. Running across the next book I was going to pick up was a huge black widow. She was headed toward my finger and I yanked back just in the nick of time. (okay so I moved it in plenty of time but that is boring, right?)

Come to find out, she was none too happy about my intrusion of her home, and particularly about getting near her egg sac. Black widow spiders are dangerously aggressive sometimes when you get near their young or egg sac. Some don’t seem to care. This gal cared. In a big way.

Unfortunately, I had to dispose of this fine arachnid in spite of my hesitancy to do so. The thought of that egg sac bursting in a room just off mine and my wife’s bedroom was the clincher. I love spiders but even I have my limits.

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to Snakes and Spiders.com!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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?

If you enjoyed this post, get free updates by email or RSS. Subscribe here to Snakes and Spiders.com!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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?

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The black widow spider is one of two dangerous spiders found in the United States and is the most commonly encountered. Getting bitten by a black widow spider is not something that you ever want to encounter as it is very painful and in children the elderly, quite dangerous. If you take  the following precautions, you should never have to experience this nasty little bite.

Remember that the black widow by nature is a shy, and reclusive spider. It is not out to bite humans as this is actually a waste of its venom. The black widow would much rather save this venom for its prey.

The black widow spider loves to hang around in dark, damp areas far away from human intrusion. If you have to dig around in those types of areas, be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin. If you are going to dig around in the wood pile, make sure that you check it first with caution to keep from surprising the black widow. Any time you are going to be in an area that has not been disturbed for a while, you should take caution to check it out before doing so.

Ironically, most people are bitten by black widow spiders while trying to remove them. This comes from the fact that they either do not realize that it is a black widow, or they foolishly think that it is a run of the house spider. While shy, the black widow is very fast and flexible. It can easily whip around and bite an unsuspecting hand if you miss with that newspaper, so do not be flippant if you go to kill one. The safest way to remove a black widow spider is to put on thick gloves, and use a long weapon such as a shovel or broom. This will keep the exposed parts of your skin away from the spider, while still getting rid of them.

When you store you’re clothing for the seasons, be sure to use air tight containers as the black widow spider and the brown recluse love to take up residence in the safety of clothing. When you do take the clothes out of storage, shake them rigorously before putting them on to shake out any unwanted intrusions. Also, make sure you check your shoes before sliding them on each morning. This is another favorite among black widow spiders. It only takes a moment, and it could save you some heartache.

Finally, if you go outside, do not go barefoot. This is dangerous for several reasons and the black widow is just one of them. You also risk the danger of scorpions, snakes, and man made dangers such as glass.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.