There are over 43,000 species of spiders wandering in the world. However, among them, only a few species are said to be deadly. About 30 species or less. Some of them have caused human deaths. The spider’s venom works depending mostly on the size of the spider. Some spider’s venom works only in small creatures while others produce allergic reactions to humans. Deaths caused by spiders are rare as the poison is treatable.
It is hard to figure out which species to avoid and worry about and which ones are not harmful. This article discusses 6 of the most dangerous spiders based on their features to help you recognize them.
Brazilian Wandering spider
Its color and size characterize the spider. It is large, brown, and almost resembles the North American Wolf spiders. However, it is larger, and its venom is more toxic than the North America Wolf Spider. It can be termed as the spider species with the most active venom and as the most dangerous spider in the world. They are active hunters and good in traveling. They love crawling as they look for warm and comfortable places during the night. Their hideouts include in flowers and fruits that people cultivate and consume. If bothered, the spider will bite as a way of protecting itself. However, if it is not aggravated, it gives a dry bite without venom. It only produces toxin if it is hurt. The serotonin contained in the poison can cause muscle shock.
There have been several deaths caused by Brazilian Wandering spider’s bite, especially to children. Children have a weak immune system, and once the venom gets in their bodies, it can cause death within minutes if antivenom is not administered immediately.
The Brown Widow Spider
The spider carries neurotoxic venom which comes with many symptoms referred to as Latrodectism. The brown widow spider, just like most of the spiders has a poor vision hence having difficulties moving when not in their web. The spiders have spindly legs and globular abdomens. Its abdomen has red spots which take the form of an hourglass or some dots in a row. The males are tinier than the females, and their abdomen is browner than females. Their venom is less harmful compared to females but will bite when threatened or disturbed in their web.
The brown widow spider, besides being life-threatening produces a harrowing effect on a bite and also causes muscle shock. In some cases, the muscle spasm could lead to cerebral paralysis which is temporary but could lead some damages to the central nervous system. Children, the elderly and the sick are at the highest risk of getting severe effects. The bite requires immediate medical checkup, and if critical, it needs a short stay in the hospital.
The six-eyed sand spider
The spider is medium sized with its body measuring 2 inches and legs up to 4 inches. The six-eyed sand spiders are mostly found in deserts, and other sandy areas such as South Africa and the close relatives found in both South America and Africa. It is also referred to as the Six-Eyed Crab Spider due to its flattened stance. They rarely bite humans, but there have been cases of rabbit bites which cause death within five to twelve hours.
There have only been two suspected cases of human bites where one individual lost an arm while the other died. Studies have shown that the six-eyed sand spider’s venom is strong with a potent hemolytic effect that causes blood vessel leakage and tissue destruction.
The red widow spider
It is also known as the red-legged widow. It is distinguished from other widow spiders due to its reddish cephalothoraxes, legs and reddish-brown abdomen. Most of the red widow spiders have red spots on the outside abdomen, and at times it is surrounded by a white or yellow outline. Some of them have red marks on the abdomen which are mostly hourglass, or triangle shaped. They feed on insects and are not aggressive towards humans. However, they bite when disturbed as a way of self-defense or to protect their eggs. Their bites are similar to those of black widow with similar symptoms which include nausea, pain, and cramping. Deaths are rare since they only inject a small amount of venom. Children, the elderly and the sick are at the highest risk of red widow spider bites.
Funnel-web spiders
These spiders, also known as the family Dipluridae, are named after their funnel-shaped webs. The spiders sit in the funnel as they wait for their prey and once an insect comes, the spider reaches it through the mouth of the funnel. They come in different families, the most feared ones being the Atrax robustus and A. formidabilis in eastern and southern Australia due to their toxic venomous bites. There have been several deaths caused by the bites of these dangerous spiders since the 1920s. There has been a useful antidote to dissolve the toxin from victims as soon after the bite.
The Chilean recluse spider
The Chilean is a harmful and venous spider, closely related to the Brown Recluse Spider. It is also known as the corner spider. It is said to be the most dangerous type of spider among the Recluse spiders, and its bite is known for causing severe reactions and at times causes death.
The Chilean is not aggressive unless provoked. It bites when pressed or hurt as a way of self-defense. Its venom contains the dermonecrotic agent, a rare toxin found in few pathogenic bacteria. Some bites cause dangerous dermonecrotic lesions or systematic conditions like renal failure.
These are just six of the deadliest spiders that you should be cautious about. However, there are more of them, and you can never be sure if a spider is harmful or not and the only way to be safe is taking preventative measures to avoid spider infestation and get rid of them.
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