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Spiders have earned an unfair reputation as deadly predators. Of the approximately 43,000 known species worldwide, only about 30 are regularly responsible for human deaths. The toxin was developed primarily to subdue smaller prey and rarely has an effect on humans. And even if the toxin causes serious side effects, poisons and drugs are almost always effective at treating it. However, it is estimated that every year four people die from spider bites in the United States alone. This article covers some interesting facts about the top 8 deadliest and most dangerous spiders in North America, as measured by the strength of their bite and the severity of their symptoms.
It is important to note that there is a difference between venomous and poisonous spiders. Venomous spiders can produce and deliver their own venom directly through their canines, while venomous spiders contain poisons in their tissues, which is dangerous for any creature that ingests it. This toxic substance is sometimes taken from the environment or their diet rather than produced directly. All of the spiders on this list generally deliver venom through their canine teeth.
#8: tarantulas
The big, intimidating tarantula, who preys on insects, small lizards, and even other spiders, thrive in habitats as diverse as arid and arid deserts, rugged mountains, and rainforests. But don’t let the size fool you. Although the bite can cause a very painful sting, the venom has surprisingly little toxicity to humans. It normally causes pain and swelling similar to a bee sting (although some people may have a more severe reaction). Unfortunately, its prey isn’t so lucky; their insides are gradually liquefied by the poison. The tarantula also has “urticating” hairs that can penetrate the skin, causing pain and irritation.
#7: Wolf Spider
The wolf spider gets its name from its highly developed predatory instincts. Once it spots a suitable prey, the wolf spider will chase and pounce on its prey like the carnivorous animal it is named after. There are about 125 species found in North America alone and reaches as far north as the Arctic. They can be found in the grass, stones, logs, leaves and even man-made buildings, building a silk-lined nest in the ground. One of the most interesting facts is that the young spiders piggyback on the mother’s back until they are old enough to survive on their own. The large egg sac attached to the female’s abdomen can also aid in identification.
Like many species in this article, the wolf spider is not particularly aggressive towards humans; it would much rather ignore people than interact with them. But it will sometimes bite people in self-defense. While the venom isn’t too dangerous (except for those with allergic reactions, who can experience nausea, dizziness, and an increased heart rate), the real damage actually comes from the large and powerful canines. They can cause a significant amount of swelling and redness at the site of the bite. Some people have likened it to the sensation of a bee sting.
You can read more about the wolf spider here.
#6: Six-eyed sand spider
The six-eyed sand spider (also known as Sicarius, meaning killer in Latin) is a large, gray-colored spider (1 or 2 inches long) that buries itself in the sand and waits for prey to pass by. Although most species are native to South America, there is a single species that can be found in sandy habitats of the savior, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. As the name suggests, the six eyes, rather than the usual eight, are the key to identification. Its closest living relative is the hermit spider (of which more will be said later). Although it rarely comes into contact with humans and bites very rarely, studies have shown that the venom can potentially cause severe bleeding and tissue damage. There is no antivenom for this species.
#5: American Yellow Sack Spider
The yellow sack spider is one of the most common types of spiders in Eurasia and Africa. There are over 200 documented species, but this is the only one that is completely native to North America, the Caribbean, and down through South America. The American yellow sack spider likes to build silk tubes into rocks, leaves, grasses, trees, or man-made structures. This species is about an inch long including the legs and has a light yellow or beige body with dark brown markings around the jaws and feet to aid identification. The front pair of legs is usually a lot longer than the other three.
Yellow sack spiders will sometimes bite humans in defense of their eggs. The dangerous poison (called a cytotoxin) has the ability to destroy cells or reduce their function. Local redness, swelling, itching and pain around the injection site are the most common symptoms. In rare cases, skin lesions can also form around the bite, resulting in tissue death, making it one of the most dangerous spiders. Symptoms usually go away in seven to 10 days without too many long-term complications, but in the meantime, it’s not a pleasant experience to go through.
Read more about the yellow bag spider here.
#4: Red Widow Spider
This species is closely related to the more famous black widow and can be identified by the orange-red coloring of the upper body and black lower abdomen with bright red spots and markings (which can take the shape of an hourglass, a triangle or something much more indistinct). The long and sinewy legs of the female can grow up to 2 inches while the male is less than an inch long. Their natural range is quite limited to the palmetto scrubland and sand dune habitats of central and southern Florida, so most people will never even encounter them, but there is some evidence that it is extending its range further north as well.
While not generally aggressive, the red widow has been known to bite humans in defense of its eggs or itself. Common symptoms include pain, cramps, nausea, and sweating. The only reason the red widow isn’t higher on the list is that its potent venom is only administered in small amounts, but it can potentially threaten children, the elderly, and those with heart problems, making it one of the most dangerous. spiders.
#3: Brown Widow Spider
The brown widow spider is one of the most dangerous spiders in North America. It actually first evolved in Africa and then spread to many other parts of the world, including southern ones California and the Gulf Coast states. It is identified by the brown body, long legs, and orange or red markings on the abdomen. Although the venom is twice as potent as the black widow, it injects only a small amount of venom at a time and is not particularly aggressive. This means that it is generally considered less dangerous. Most symptoms occur around the bite area. However, the potent neurotoxin can disrupt nerve endings and cause pain, sweating, vomiting and muscle stiffness.
#2: Black Widow Spiders
No list of dangerous spiders in North America would be complete without the iconic black widow. It’s actually divided into a few different types, including the northern black widow, western black widow, and southern black widow. The female members of this species, which can be identified by the black body and red hourglass markings on the abdomen, are about 1 or 2 inches long with legs outstretched, although the males measure considerably less. They also have particularly large venom glands compared to their body size. This highly potent neurotoxin can cause severe pain, abdominal cramps, nausea, sweating and a rapid heartbeat, making it one of the most dangerous spiders. Fortunately, black widows almost never bite people unless they feel threatened or provoked. They often deliver a dry bite rather than a venomous one. And even if they deliver venom, the bite is rarely fatal. But the sheer strength and amount of their venom makes them some of the deadliest spiders in the world.
You can read more about the black widow spider here.
#1: Brown Recluse Spider
Native to the central and eastern parts of the United States, the brown recluse spider is arguably the deadliest species in all of North America. It can be identified by its brown or gray body, violin-shaped markings, long legs, and three pairs of eyes (compared to most spiders with four pairs). One of the most interesting facts is that the brown recluse spider can amputate itself a limb to flee from a predator or prevent the venom from spreading to the rest of the body. However, it does not allow the limb to regrow and simply makes up for the loss with an uneven gait.
Although they are not very aggressive and most bites do not cause major symptoms, in a minority of cases the venom can lead to serious complications, including the possibility of skin necrosis, nausea, vomiting, fever, rash, and muscle and joint pain. In very rare cases, the brown recluse’s venom can lead to organ damage and ultimately death. The Chilean hermit spider, an accidental import from Chili, may be even more deadly.
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