In the modern world, the popularity of keeping exotic wildlife at home is growing at a frantic pace every year. In addition to cute Raccoons, tarantula spiders can be seen in domestic foxes, iguanas and other equally beautiful pets.
With their terrifying appearance, tarantulas strike fear into the largest percentage of people. However, there are also those who are crazy about these creatures. Despite the large number of recommendations and rules for keeping spiders, tarantulas are unpretentious in care and very independent.
Beginners can also purchase the safest breeds and become real owners of a home terrarium. However, sooner or later the question arises: “How aggressive can tarantulas be and what are the consequences of a tarantula spider bite?”
Lifespan
It is important for people who decide to keep this animal at home to know how long tarantula spiders live in captivity.
Females, regardless of conditions, can live up to 30 years. As for males, their life expectancy is much less. They usually stop molting after reaching reproductive age, in most cases they die in the same year or after mating.
When maintaining a home, it is important to choose an arthropod suitable nutrition system and optimal temperature. If fed infrequently, the spider will live longer
Cold causes the metabolism to slow down, so the birder's development will slow down.
Interesting Facts
The tarantula spider is a popular animal that attracts people with its large size and original appearance. There is a lot of interesting information about these amazing creatures:
- Spiders do not experience a sense of affection, so when kept at home, you should not think that the animal is attached to its owner and loves him.
- It is impossible to train a tarantula and also be completely sure of the absence of aggression on its part.
- Even the most calm and balanced individuals bite their own owners from time to time.
- Females are larger in size than males.
- Many females devour males after mating.
- Females live longer, up to 30 years, so they are more expensive.
- Females lay approximately 2,000 eggs, which are placed in a cocoon of spider webs and hatch after 1 to 3 months.
- The terrarium with the spider should always be closed with a tight lid. If there are children at home, it is necessary to use a lock, this will protect the child from an accident.
- Spiders are representatives of a separate class, so it is not entirely correct to classify them as insects.
- Tarantulas are the largest spiders in the world.
- Animals use an original method of protection from enemies - blinding by a stream of feces.
- Arthropods are capable of not eating food for more than 2 years.
- Some species are excellent swimmers and divers;
- To treat the fear of spiders (arachnophobia), experts recommend that patients keep tarantulas in their homes to overcome the disease on their own. According to statistics, the technique brings positive results.
Before purchasing a bird catcher, you need to think about the burden of responsibility that will lie on the owner of such a pet. The animal is a long-livers and needs care and proper care.
Tarantula spider
Folk remedies for bites
What to do if a spider bite happens far from civilization, when you can’t get to the nearest populated area even in a couple of days?
To relieve unpleasant symptoms and speed up wound healing, you can use traditional medicine methods:
- Rinse the affected area with a solution - 1 teaspoon of vinegar per glass of water.
- Dilute baking soda with water to a paste and apply to the inflamed area.
- Wipe with lemon juice.
- Apply shaving foam for 5 minutes and rinse with cold water.
- Apply aloe leaves.
After reading the presented review, many will wonder: is it possible to avoid a spider bite? To reduce the likelihood of an attack to a minimum, it is enough to follow some recommendations:
Do not try to catch or hit the arthropod. Keep your home clean, not bypassing the most hidden corners. Once in nature, check your shoes and clothes, and keep your sleeping bags and tents closed. When going out of town, stock up on repellent sprays and creams. In the summer, close doors tightly and equip windows with mosquito nets.
In most cases, everything is limited to a local reaction, which goes away within a few days. Although no one is safe from meeting a dangerous individual
In order to promptly and competently respond to the consequences of a bite, it is important to equip your home first aid kit with everything you need, and when going into nature, take an “alarm suitcase” with you.
Consequences, complications
The immediate cause of the negative reaction is poison. Most spiders, even poisonous ones, do not have enough toxin potency to kill a person. But complications after the injury remain. It’s good if a mild allergic reaction to a spider bite went away as complications, but people with a predisposition to allergies develop Quincke’s edema and anaphylactic shock, which results in death.
Also among the frequent complications that can be caused by a spider bite, we note necrotic processes in tissues. They appear when a sufficiently large dosage of poison is administered. Tissue necrosis threatens not only the loss of a limb (if the bite is in the arm or leg), but also sepsis - blood poisoning. Those who have been bitten also note that in some cases problems arise with the regeneration of the skin - the wounds heal very slowly, become covered with crusts, from under which cerebrospinal fluid oozes for a long time. Even after successful recovery, deep scars remain on the skin.
Recluse spider bite
The bite of a recluse spider is extremely dangerous for both humans and animals. Hermit spiders are distributed mainly in the American states, as well as in Australia, where they were brought from the United States with transport cargo. A distinctive visual mark of the hermit is a pattern on the back that resembles a violin. These spiders are small in size, so people often don’t even notice them in the house or outdoors. Spiders prefer to hide in old boxes under cabinets, in cracks in walls and floors.
It is dangerous because it is practically invisible and does not cause even the slightest sensation of pain. Symptoms of damage develop only on the second day, when the poison has already spread throughout the body. Severe itching, induration and visible swelling appear. Then the tumor ulcerates, the soft tissues begin to necrotize (die). The ulcer is difficult to treat; necrosis affects very deep layers of the skin. In addition to external manifestations, a recluse spider bite is accompanied by typical flu-like symptoms - fever, aching joints, runny nose, cough and general weakness. Some cases of severe intoxication can impair the functioning of the kidneys and heart and lead to death.
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What do Mexican tarantula spiders suffer from?
Tarantulas are generally hardy pets that rarely develop health problems. In fact, the biggest threat to their health is an accidental fall from a great height.
If a tarantula spider falls, what should you do?
Falls can cause serious internal injuries and are often fatal. This is why it is so important that your spider tank has a secure lid and that you are very careful around it.
Dehydration in a tarantula
Dehydration is also possible for your Mexican Redleg if its enclosure is not humid enough. These spiders usually obtain most of their fluids from prey and the environment rather than from drinking water.
If your spider appears slightly shriveled or lethargic, check the humidity level and mist the tank if it is too low.
How does the Mexican tarantula molt?
In addition, like other tarantulas, the Mexican red-footed tarantula will go through a molt—shedding off its old skin.
This is a stressful process that can take several weeks.
Your spider will likely lose its appetite before molting, and during the process it may roll onto its back with its legs curled up. Do not feed the spider while it is molting, as live prey may injure it while its new exoskeleton hardens.
Also, do not touch the spider during this time. Wait until your spider is behaving normally again before returning to its normal routine. Adult tarantulas typically moult annually.
However, Mexican redlegs are known to skip molts, which is not usually a cause for concern.
How to care for a tarantula?
The cobalt spider is adapted to live in the tropical forest, in burrows. For him, certain conditions are created that are close to natural. In this case, males will live up to 4 years, females up to 15 years.
Animals are placed in terrariums, one individual in each: cannibalism is developed among individuals. The male is placed with the female only for mating. Then it is removed.
The terrarium is filled with sandy coconut substrate and loamy soil. It is moistened to make it easier for the spider to dig a hole. In hot weather, the soil is irrigated daily with water. The optimal temperature is 28 0C, humidity 80%.
When in nature, spiders hide from the heat in burrows. During tropical downpours, they leave their homes and settle in the dense branches of bushes. Individuals do not like water, but despite this feature, they tolerate immersion well.
Tarantulas breathe with their lungs. They are able to hold their breath for several hours. Experts have found that during prolonged immersion, animals fall into a special state.
Cobalt tarantulas are fed with large species of cockroaches and mice. Food is served exclusively with tweezers. Otherwise, the spider may perceive the appearance of a hand as an encroachment on its territory. He will definitely attack. It is especially dangerous to drive it into a corner, cutting off the path to the hole. Food is supplied 2 times a week for larvae and 1 time a week for mature animals.
If individuals refuse food, their color darkens, which means that they are preparing to shed their exoskeleton. The young molt 2-3 times a year. Adult spiders shed their shell once a year. After molting, they develop an appetite after 3-4 weeks.
If the spider shows signs of imminent molting, then the terrarium is cleaned. Remains of food and feces are removed from it. Add clean soil to it. It is necessary to avoid rotting of the feed in the box, in which mold develops profusely.
Individuals always prepare a place for molting. They choose a wide stone and arrange a covering of cobwebs on it. To make it more convenient for them to free themselves from the exoskeleton, they lie down with their limbs up. The process can last several days.
After the shell is shed, the tarantula shakes off the remaining liquid from its limbs. He shakes his paws on one side first. Then from the other edge. Outwardly, it appears that the animal is having convulsions, but this is normal.
The cobalt tarantula is listed in the Red Book. They are purchased only from special farms. In India, there are government environmental programs. They are aimed at creating natural parks in which these species of arthropods live.
They are caught for their unique color, but they are difficult to find in the forest. They are almost invisible against the background of the green vegetation of the jungle.
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Limit or completely eliminate manual contact.
When purchasing a tarantula, you should remember that this is not an animal that can be picked up. An animal in your arms experiences great stress, which may cause it to refuse to eat or even die. And if the species is also aggressive with toxic poison, then remember the advice from the first point. Plus, there is a possibility that the spider may mistake the pulsation of blood through your vessels for prey. Do not risk your life and health by handling a spider while you are intoxicated. There are other ways to show off and show off your awesomeness. But if you still need to pick up the spider, do it carefully, without sudden movements or screams, while helping yourself with a brush.
Terrarium 30*30*30 cm (25 liters) (spider)
Why is a spider bite dangerous?
All spiders are poisonous to one degree or another, but their danger to humans is determined by two factors: the properties of the toxic substance and the power of the bite. Venom glands are located on the mouth appendages, and the main purpose of the toxic substance is to paralyze and then digest the victim.
Non-hazardous to humans include very small individuals that are unable to bite through human skin. Their poison is only suitable for paralyzing midges caught in the web. However, allergy sufferers should not relax, because even the most harmless house spider can cause a severe allergic reaction, swelling of the larynx, and suffocation.
The bite of a poisonous spider, especially a large one, even a physically healthy person, can lead to tragic consequences. Easily biting through the victim's skin and generously releasing poison, the silent killer attacks the vital systems of the body. In addition to allergic rashes, the victim experiences a general deterioration in health; cardiac arrest and suffocation may occur.
House spider bite
There are several varieties of house spiders: gray, brown, black and others, which is determined by their color. The most common representative is the black house spider. Its favorite habitats are indoor parts, as well as outdoor areas with good lighting and dry conditions. This could be wooden window frames under the roof, cracks in wooden logs, etc. Spiders of this species are quite small and weave webs in small corners, to which humans rarely have anything to do. Therefore, human bites from a house spider are rare.
If such a situation arises, then there is nothing wrong with it. House spider bites are absolutely safe for humans. There is no danger, even for a small child. Typically, symptoms are limited to local manifestations in the form of pain and burning after direct contact of the spider with the skin, a pinpoint bite with redness of the surrounding skin. It is extremely rare to experience a slight increase in body temperature and general malaise. To relieve symptoms, it is enough to apply cold and treat the bite area with an antiseptic. In extreme cases, there is a need to use hormonal ointments and antihistamines.
Cross spider bite
The most harmless representative of the arachnid family. He is incapable of causing harm. Poisonous fangs serve as protection from the attacks of others, and with their help they obtain food for themselves. The appearance of the cross spider is quite harmless. On its back there is a pattern of a cross characteristic of the individual. The color of the spider, depending on its habitat, can be gray or green.
A cross spider can attack a person only by accident. Their fangs are unable to bite through hard skin. But softer tissues, such as lips, are quite likely. This can happen during outings into nature, into the forest to pick mushrooms or other trips. Crosses are characterized by rapid, intensive growth; by the end of summer they can grow to quite large sizes.
Description and features
Let's look at what an unusual tarantula spider looks like. It is distinguished by long limbs covered with shaggy hairs and a rich color, the intensity of which increases after each molt. Most often the animals are gray or brown in color, but there are individuals of black and bright blue.
The body structure of the tarantula spider is represented by a cephalothorax and abdomen, connected by a small bridge. The chitin exoskeleton prevents mechanical damage and reduces moisture loss, which is especially important in arid regions. The cephalothorax is covered with a solid carapace, on the front of which there are 4 pairs of eyes.
The organs of the reproductive and digestive systems are located on the abdomen. Here you can see 2 – 6 pairs of spider appendages. Spiders have 12 limbs:
- 8 are paws;
- 2 – chelicerae, used for hunting, digging burrows, defense, and moving caught prey. They also contain poisonous glands;
- 2 – pedipalps, perform a tactile function.
Arthropods detect odors and sounds using sensitive hairs located on their paws.
The size of tarantulas varies depending on the species. Taking into account the legs, the animal’s body reaches 25–28 cm, with females noticeably larger than males. On average, the weight of spiders is 60–85 g; large species living in Venezuela and Brazil sometimes weigh up to 150 g or more. Thus, the mass of a male goliath tarantula is 170 g.
Way of life
The habitats are quite varied. Some species are inhabitants of the crowns of trees and bushes, while others lead a terrestrial lifestyle, where they dig holes in which they spend quite a lot of time.
The behavior pattern depends on age - young ones are more often in burrows, and mature ones prefer to spend more time on the ground surface or plants. The web is used to create a nest or hiding place, both on the ground and in the crown, so the presence of tube-like structures indicates the presence of animals that are best left alone and avoided.
Spiders are active only when they are hungry, or when there is a need for this, for example, protective measures or searching for a sexual partner. Without food, an individual can remain in ambush for a long time and behave aggressively. Well-fed ones are less active and spend all their time in their shelter.
Nutrition
Psalmopoeus irminia - woody species
All individuals are exclusively predators. The main diet consists of small arthropods and vertebrates. The name is due not so much to the attack on birds, but to the fact that spiders can sneak into nests and destroy small chicks and eggs there. They do not set trapping nets, but hunt prey by ambushing it.
Chilobrachys
Another representative of Asian tarantulas belongs to the genus Chylobrachis. Its habitat is China and India. Spiders are big and beautiful. The coloration of young animals often differs from the body pattern of adults.
Young tarantulas have a black stripe on their abdomen that runs along the body and horizontal stripes located at an angle.
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Chilobrachys fimbriatus - body size 7 cm, legs length 18 cm. It is difficult to observe the spider. Most of the time he is in the hole. Comes out of its hiding place when hungry. Color brown. There is a pattern on the back that is highlighted with light stripes. The abdomen is striped. The forelimbs are darker than the hind limbs.
Males reach maturity at 2 years of age. Females are ready for fertilization at 3 years of age. A cocoon can contain up to 250 eggs. Many people are interested in how many times to feed spiders. An adult Chylobrachis eats once every 10 days. Young individuals are given food every 5 days.
Chilobrachys huahini is a large spider, 20 cm in size. The color is brown or olive. Juveniles are lighter in color than adults. There is a pattern on the back, but it is difficult to notice. The paws are dark brown, the hair pads are almost black. Tarantulas are aggressive. It is not recommended to pick them up. They attack any encroachment on their territory.
Chilobrachys Vietnam blue - animals have mastered the territory of Vietnam and China. They are very beautiful.
The main color is light. The abdomen is gray in color, with pale blue hairs. The back is blue. The pattern is determined on it. It is made up of whitish lines.
Chilobrachys
The first phalanges are dark blue, the rest are blue. In the sun, the hairline has a silvery tint. The paw span is 29 cm. Spiders can build their shelters on the ground under snags and under stones. Some of them dig holes. Tarantulas are accustomed to a temperature of 29 0C and an air humidity of 90%.
The lifespan of a female is 15 years. Animals have an aggressive character. The poison is toxic. When attacking, they scratch hairs from the abdomen.
Types of tarantulas
The spider family includes many representatives, including 13 subfamilies with a large number of varieties. In total, scientists count about 143 species of tarantulas. All of them have characteristic features, but some varieties are distinguished by their original appearance, and therefore are worthy of a detailed description.
Goliath tarantula
This animal has become widely known due to its impressive size. Taking into account the legs, the body length reaches 28 cm. Until recently, the goliath was considered the largest spider on the planet. But at the very beginning of the 21st century, Heteropoda maxima was discovered - a species belonging to the same order, the body size is a couple of centimeters larger than that of the goliath.
The spider is brown in color, sometimes with light or red tints. Distributed in the swamps of South America. This is the largest representative of tarantulas, the weight of males reaches 170 g.
Black and white Brazilian tarantula spider
The animals are inferior in size to the goliath, body length is no more than 23 cm. Distinctive features are rapid growth and striking black and white color. The nature of the spider is aggressive and unpredictable. Often arthropods hide under the roots of trees or among stones, and from time to time they crawl out into the open.
Metallic (woody) tarantula
Distributed in the southern regions of India. Among its relatives, this representative does not stand out at all in size, since it grows only up to 21 cm. Its color is very interesting - the body and legs are bright blue with a metallic tint, as if decorated with fascinating patterns. The spider looks like some kind of fantastic creature that attracts attention with its extraordinary beauty.
Metallic tarantulas prefer to form small groups and settle among old rotten trees.
Brachypelma Smitha
Found in Mexico, South America and Australia. The size of spiders does not exceed 17 cm. The colors can be varied: dark brown or black with the addition of orange and red tones, sometimes there is a white or yellow border. The hair on the body turns light pink.
Smith's brachypelma are calm in nature and their venom is non-toxic. As they grow older, after molting, the color of the spiders changes.
Pink Chilean tarantula
This species of arthropod is considered one of the most attractive. It is not surprising that this is what arachnid lovers dream of having at home.
The size of the body together with the paws reaches 26 cm. The color contains various shades of brown: brown, chestnut, and in places there are pink hairs. A lot of light hairs grow on the paws and body.
The pink Chilean tarantula lives in the southwestern part of America, found in the Atacami Desert. When keeping at home, it is important to maintain a suitable temperature regime: during the day +25ºС, at night - at least +20ºС with an air humidity of 60%. Females can live 15–20 years. The nature of the animals is peaceful, calm, and friendly.
What to do if you are bitten by a spider?
If a bite caused by a karakurt or recluse spider is promptly examined and subjected to specific therapy, as a rule, rehabilitation is not required after that. However, due to severe general intoxication and weakening of the body, it would not be superfluous to strengthen the immune system and slightly support organs and systems with vitamin therapy. In addition, gastrointestinal symptoms and diarrhea sometimes occur. In this case, you should follow a gentle diet for two to three weeks, excluding protein foods. If an arachnid attack causes an allergic reaction, a course of antihistamine therapy should be administered after the spider bite. A neurotoxic poison, which can cause functional disorders of the central nervous system, is eliminated with the help of drug therapy; as an independent action, drinking plenty of fluids is indicated and bed rest is advisable. All actions aimed at eliminating the consequences must be adequate to the main symptoms.
If a child or adult is bitten by a spider, and no one is immune from this, timely first aid can protect not only the health, but sometimes even the life of the bitten person. Therefore, you should remember the proposed algorithm in order to know what to do if you are bitten by a spider:
- If the bite is characterized as not too dangerous, the injury site should be washed with running water, preferably with soap, to avoid possible infection of the wound.
- The bitten limb should be immobilized (immobilized) to reduce the possibility of spreading the venom.
- The leg or arm can be wrapped with an elastic bandage or material just above the bite site. In this way, the area where the poison spreads is localized. The bandage should not be too tight so as not to disrupt the general blood supply to the limb.
- A cold compress, preferably ice, should be applied to the puncture site.
- What to do if you are bitten by a spider, knowing that this is intoxication of the body? Of course, drinking plenty of fluids will help, which will speed up the elimination of toxins.
- For mild symptoms such as headache and slight fever, you can take paracetamol.
- If a mildly expressed allergic reaction occurs, you can take an over-the-counter antihistamine - Allergostop, Loratadine, Agistam.
What to do if spider bites cause concern? The answer is clear - emergency medical care or immediate medical attention. You should especially hurry in such cases:
- If a spider has bitten a child (under 16 years of age).
- Symptoms of the bite develop rapidly, and the condition worsens sharply.
If you know (or suspect) that the bite was caused by a karakurt or brown recluse spider. Treatment of these bites requires the administration of serum (antidote).
First aid to the victim
The only right step is to call an ambulance. However, while the doctor is traveling, you can try to alleviate the symptoms of intoxication as much as possible:
- Rinse the bite area with clean water and apply an antiseptic to remove dirt from the wound.
- Constantly observing how the symptoms appear is how you can assess how dangerous the bite is.
This is interesting: what does a spider in the house mean?
Observing the symptoms of a bite will help determine the degree of danger of the poison and the type of spider that bit the person.- If possible, take a photo of the spider or remember what it looked like so that it will be easier for the doctor to identify it and prescribe the necessary treatment.
- Apply ice or a cold compress to the wound to relieve pain.
- Reduce physical activity as much as possible to prevent the poison from spreading throughout the body.
- If the bite is on a limb, you can apply a loose elastic bandage or tourniquet above the wound.
- Drink more and do not scratch the bite site.
The doctor will do the rest of the work. You should not take medications or take other actions on your own. If possible, it is better to go to the hospital yourself before it is too late.
Spider name
The spider owes its name to Maria Sibylla Merian. This is a German artist who was interested in the world of insects. She was captivated by the incredible transformations that occurred with caterpillars and butterflies. She reflected all this in her paintings and engravings, and did embroidery on tablecloths.
Traveling through Suriname, in South America, she watched insects and saw how a large spider climbed into the nest of a hummingbird, which became its victim. She depicted this scene in her engraving. Scientists, recognizing the spider on the canvas, gave it the name tarantula or tarantula.
The tarantula is also called a tarantula. Experts attribute this name to translation difficulties. Tarantulas are representatives of another group of araneomorphic animals. A distinctive feature is hidden in the structure of the chelicerae. These are claw-shaped segments that are found in spiders in the front part of the cephalothorax. In the area of the oral cavity.
In the tarantula, which belongs to the mygalomorphic group, the chelicerae are directed forward and located parallel to each other. In araneomorphs, which include the tarantula, the chelicerae are directed towards each other.
Causes
The main pathogen is toxins secreted by the mouthparts (chelicerae) of spiders:
- neurotoxic poisons (Δ-atracotoxin of the most dangerous Australian spider Atrax robustus, α-latrotoxin of the black widow and karakurt) have a direct effect on the structures of the central nervous system of the attacked individual by such representatives of spiders as karakurt and black widows;
- necrotic poisons (containing the dermonecrotic substance sphingomyelinase) are produced by spiders of the sicariid family.
It is important to remember that spiders themselves do not attack people or large animals. In dangerous situations, they prefer to flee. Worse, if a person is caught in a web or a tenet cocoon designed to catch insects, then the spider may instinctively attack the victim. However, most often spiders bite people when they accidentally crush or step on them. It is important to know that the most dangerous representatives of spiders are the Australian species Atrax robustus, since they tend to climb into human dwellings - cool and damp, where they establish their homes and trapping nets for fairly large insects and animals.
Male and female Atrax robustus
Tarantula spider Brachypelma emilia
Species: Brachypelma emilia Subfamily: Theraphosinae Range: Mexico Type: terrestrial Size: 6 cm in body and 15-17 in paw span. Sexual maturity: males up to 3 years, females up to 5 years. Life expectancy: up to 25 years or more.
Red-legged tarantula spider
Depending on the locality, this Mexican tarantula can have varying degrees of color saturation - from pale cream to bright red. This species differs from other colored brachypelmas by a bright black triangle on the carapace. This look seems more elegant in color. The spider is calmer than Boehmey or Smithy, is not so noticeably nervous, but is quite active if you pick it up. Rarely combs hairs. An excellent choice for a novice spider breeder. But the species is not yet so popular in our country, mainly due to its recent shortage.
How to set up a terrarium for a tarantula spider
Don't forget about the water container
When arranging a terrarium for your tarantula spider, be sure to take into account what species it is - terrestrial or arboreal. For terrestrial tarantulas, horizontal type terrariums with a large area are suitable, but arboreal tarantulas will like vertical terrariums. But, regardless of the type of tarantula you have, make sure that the lid is always closed in order to prevent the spider from escaping.
All other conditions for equipping the terrarium are absolutely standard. This also applies to the choice of substrate, lighting, humidity, temperature, and decorative elements. The main thing is that your tarantula spider is comfortable and comfortable, then he will not get sick and will live a long life to your delight.
Black widow bite
The habitat of this individual is the territory of the United States. Female black widows are poisonous and of impressive size. The body length is more than one and a half centimeters, and the paw span exceeds 5 centimeters. On the back there is a pattern characteristic of this individual, reminiscent of an hourglass. Color red.
The males of this species are much smaller in size and can be identified by the white spot on their back. No bites from males were recorded. Based on this, we can conclude that they are absolutely harmless to humans. They do not have an organ that produces poison that does not allow them to cause harm. Female black widows are hunters and protect the offspring they lay. If they feel the slightest danger, they immediately attack the enemy. They paralyze the victim with poison. After a black widow bite, you only feel a slight prick, like a needle.
Any signs of a bite appear much later, when the poison has already been transported throughout the body. Moreover, everyone can have their own individual manifestations from a bite. Most often this is sweating and pus in the damaged area. Children and the elderly suffer most from black widow attacks. In any case, you should immediately consult a doctor for help, as there is an antidote. After administering a special medicine, which must be administered within a few hours, the poison is neutralized.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bh-1CZtiUTE
Kara-Kurt bite
The bites of these individuals are deadly to all living organisms. Typically, these venomous spiders attack defensively when they are directly affected and feel threatened. Their individuals pose the greatest danger compared to all other arachnids. The venom of females is deadly, but males are practically safe, their venom is less concentrated. After Kara-Kurta bites, soft tissues die and generally lead to severe discomfort. After being bitten by this spider, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Treatment
What to do if you are bitten by a spider? If the victim indicates pain in the head or discomfort in the limbs, he is given any painkiller. The greatest activity is observed in a number of medications.
- Analgesics, antispasmodics - Baralgin, Maksigan, Analgin, Spazmalgon.
- Non-steroidal drugs that relieve inflammation - Nurofen, Nimesulide.
- Products containing paracetamol - Efferalgan, Panadol.
If the drugs presented are not available, the patient is given Acetylsalicylic acid.
Take an antihistamine:
- Zodak;
- Suprastin;
- Cetrin;
- Loratadine.
Loratadine
Due to a sharp rise in blood pressure, it is recommended to take an antihypertensive drug to normalize well-being.
- Enap.
- Captopril.
- Indapamide.
In the hospital, a detoxification course is carried out using internal solutions. This will quickly eliminate the toxin, preventing serious complications.
Karakurt
Karakurt (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) is a poisonous spider that lives in Moldova, Crimea, and Central Asia. Females that have a pair of tubular poisonous glands located on the upper jaw are dangerous to humans. The poisonous segment (chelicerum) ends in a movable sharp claw with an opening for the duct of the poisonous gland. The female has a spherical, dense black abdomen with reddish spots. The length of the karakurt is about 10 mm.
Symptoms of poisoning with karakurt poison
After a bite, a small, quickly disappearing spot is formed. After 10-20 minutes, severe pain develops at the site of the lesion, which spreads to the abdomen, lower back, and chest. Severe mental agitation, headache, dizziness, suffocation, nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, cyanosis, tachycardia, arrhythmia are observed. Severe drooling may begin. Possible respiratory arrest.
Black widow bite
The black widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) of the genus Latrodectus lives in the United States. The females of this species are very large: the paw span reaches 5 cm, and the body length is 1.5 cm. There is a red hourglass pattern on the black back.
Males are smaller, with a white mark on the back, the small size of the venomous apparatus and mild aggressiveness make them practically harmless to humans. When disturbed, they fall to the ground, fold their paws and pretend to be dead. Female black widows are venomous from the moment they are born. If they are guarding laid eggs or feel threatened, they prefer to attack. Spiders use their venom to paralyze prey, from which they then suck the hemolymph.
The period of post-copulatory passivity of the female allows the male to escape from his partner if she is not very hungry. If the female is hungry, then after mating she eats the “wife”, which is why she is called a “widow”.
Karakurt toxin is a protein with a molecular weight of 130,000. Under its action, ion channels are formed in the presynaptic membranes of nerve cells through which Ca 2++ ions enter the cell. Under the influence of the toxin, exocytosis of synaptic vesicles is facilitated and the release of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, and acetylcholine is enhanced.
Changes in intracellular homeostasis and an increase in the content of biologically active substances in the blood affect the functional state of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. In case of poisoning with karakurt poison, clinical manifestations develop within 30 minutes. The victim usually feels the sting and describes it as a "puncture". In the area of the spider bite, severe pain is noted, erythema and increased local sweating gradually increase.
Severity
When bitten by a black widow, there are three degrees of severity of the disease.
- I degree; moderate pain at the site of the bite, no general clinical manifestations of intoxication, all laboratory parameters are normal.
- II degree: muscle pain in the bitten limb. Pain spreading to the abdomen when a leg is bitten or to the chest when an arm is bitten. Profuse sweating at the site of the bite. Vital signs are normal.
- III degree: generalized muscle pain in the back, chest, abdomen. Strong mental agitation. Headache, dizziness, suffocation, nausea, vomiting, weakness, shortness of breath, cyanosis, arterial hypertension, tachycardia, arrhythmia. General profuse sweating. Severe drooling. Possible respiratory arrest. Blood tests show increased levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), leukocytosis, and proteinuria. In the absence of treatment, the maximum severity of symptoms lasts for 12 hours, the duration of intoxication is 48-72 hours.
in the photo on the left - the bite at the beginning, on the right - on the 3rd day.
Muscle spasms and tension in the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall sometimes become the reason for the erroneous diagnosis of peritonitis and the performance of unnecessary laparoscopy.
Tarantula bite
Tarantulas - stunningly beautiful spiders - are among the largest spiders in the world, and they are quite dangerous. More than 1,500 species of tarantulas live throughout the world.
Doctors in primary care departments more often encounter patients who keep beautiful animals in terrariums at home.
Tarantulas belong to the orthognathic suborder of the Therapsophidae family. These are large (their body is 2.5-7.5 cm) arachnids that move slowly. Females in captivity can live up to 35 years, while the lifespan of males is usually 5-7 years. They have poor eyesight and sense prey through vibration. The largest species, the Latin American tarantula Theraphosa Blondie, can have fangs of 2.5 cm and long legs up to 30 cm.
Most tarantulas sold in pet stores belong to the species Aphonopelma, Psalmopoeus, Cyclosternum Brachypelma, Lasiodora, etc.
Although tarantulas often cause panic and disturbance on site, these hairy, long-legged spiders are generally non-aggressive and rarely bite.
If forced to defend itself, the tarantula is very good at jumping, hissing, sinking its teeth, or spraying sharp, spiky hairs from its abdomen onto its enemy (shown in the images below). They can affect the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. The density of stinging hairs on the abdomen is approximately 10,000 per mm2.
- The tarantula can bite, but first it hisses angrily and takes a characteristic fighting stance;
- human injuries are limited mainly to eye and skin damage, sometimes with respiratory symptoms;
- tarantula spider venom is rarely toxic to humans;
- the bite may be painful, but is not considered dangerous. No more dangerous than a bee sting. The most common reaction in the human body is an allergic response to histamine;
- Australian tarantula bites can be dangerous, even fatal
Toxic hairs can penetrate multiple layers of skin or eye tissue and cause mechanical irritation. The size of the itchy blisters that form depends on the type of hair. Some hairs can penetrate up to 2 mm deep into the tissue, causing inflammation and a local reaction. Although not common, inhaling the hairs can cause allergic rhinitis.
Bites
Unprovoked bites are rare, and tarantulas are generally docile pets; patients usually report that they have injured their pet.
Most patients bitten by a tarantula complain of moderate, sting-like pain. Some tarantula bites can cause severe pain, swelling, local reaction and numbness, and joint pain that lasts for days or weeks.
Leather
Symptoms at the site of hair penetration include irritation, itching, severe swelling, and erythema.
Rarely, prolonged exposure to hairs may cause anaphylaxis.
Eyes
Eye contact with tarantula hairs may result in red, itchy or gritty eyes.
Patients do not always associate these symptoms with their games with the tarantula.
First aid
- give an antihistamine;
- rinse the wound on the skin or eyes with running water;
- tape the eye so that the patient does not rub it and rub the hairs even deeper;
- if the patient loses consciousness, then he must be laid down, raise his legs higher and urgently call an ambulance;
Treatments in the medical office include;
- pain relief, antihistamines, corticosteroids;
- treatment of anaphylaxis;
- tetanus vaccination;
- ophthalmologist treats eyes
Here are just 3 cases: tarantula spider bites from life.
Bite
Photo of a tarantula spider of the genus Heteroscodra
The toxic substances that a tarantula can inject when bitten are not fatal.
Typically, a person feels:
- pain;
- psychological experiences;
- redness and hyperemia;
- muscle cramps.
Heteroscodra, Phlogius and other species have potent convulsive toxins and may develop more severe symptoms:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- significant swelling;
- muscle cramps, the duration of which can last a month or more;
- heat.
All individuals are poisonous. When talking about safe animals, it means that the substances do not have the necessary toxicity that causes irritation.
People who kept spiders of this species in their houses noted that their pets died from them. From this we can conclude that tarantulas pose a certain danger to small children, weakened individuals and those with allergies.
Note. Tarantula spiders do not always inject venom when they bite. This is called a "dry bite". In this case, pain is experienced only from the puncture of the skin, and there are no symptoms of poisoning.
How to Avoid a Bite
In the natural environment, human contact with large spiders occurs very rarely. Animals usually show aggression when kept at home.
Therefore, the first piece of advice for preventing bites is that you should not enter the terrarium if the tarantula is in a defensive position or is showing aggression. When cleaning the home, the animal should be temporarily placed in another container.
With aggressive animals and those with highly toxic substances, for example, the species Pterinochilus murinus, human manipulation must be extremely careful, but even when the animal is peaceful and safe (Brachypelma albopilosum), it should not be handled. Individuals distributed throughout the North American continent, as a rule, do not inject poison into human skin.
For this reason, they are often used for breeding and keeping. Even if a pet is considered harmless, it can still bite, so it must be handled with the utmost care.
What to do
These symptoms appear quite rarely. WHO does not give instructions on specific treatment because there is no risk of death.
However, this does not mean that there is no need to take any measures at all, since even if the poison was not injected, an infection may get into the wound, and this is fraught with additional complications. The steps taken are described in more detail in the video in this article, and a brief algorithm is outlined in the table below.
Table. First aid for a tarantula spider bite:
| Action | A comment |
| If you make sudden movements, you may get one or more bites. Stress increases the production of steroid hormones, and accelerated blood circulation will increase the spread of the toxin. If the animal is a pet, you need to carefully shake it off your hand. |
| This must be done in the absence of an antiseptic. |
| Hydrogen peroxide is good for this purpose, or, in extreme cases, a bite or lemon juice. This procedure is necessary to prevent the spread of infection. |
| In most cases, this is not necessary, but if severe swelling develops and negative symptoms appear, then you should take any antiallergic drug, for example, suprastin or tavegil. |
Note. If the condition of the bitten person worsens or a small child is injured, you should immediately consult a doctor to provide qualified assistance.
To relieve pain, the bite site can be cooled in any way. Ice or frozen foods are best for this purpose. You should not drink alcohol, as this may increase the toxic effect.
Consequences of a bite
Poisonous spider chelicerae
How the poison will affect a person depends on two factors:
- type of spider (dangerous or not);
- individual characteristics of a person (age, level of immunity, health status, etc.).
For example, bites from spiders of the genus Brachypelma, as a rule, are easily tolerated by humans and after a few hours there are no signs left except a puncture on the skin.
However, there are quite toxic species (Haplopelma, Ornithoctonus, Stromatopelma, Citharischius, etc.), the poison of which causes severe pain and inflammation:
- significant swelling of the limb;
- temporary paralysis of muscles in the area of the bite;
- respiratory dysfunction and other serious disorders.
These clinical manifestations may bother a person for several days and recur subsequently.
Arrangement of the terrarium
A terrarium is a kind of “splinter of nature” in which your spider will live. Proper arrangement is the key to the health and well-being of the spider. Speaking about arranging a terrarium, you can write a separate article, so we will list the most important things.
The terrarium should contain several levels for living and hunting. This can be organized by placing a couple of driftwood or branches inside. The “ground” is usually laid out with a neutral coating, in the form of pine sawdust or a special substrate. The thickness of such a substrate should be at least 5 cm. Due to the fact that some spiders cannot tolerate bright light and are nocturnal, it is necessary to create several shaded areas using pieces of thick paper or twigs with leaves. It is also worth leaving small pieces of bark, they will serve as a “shelter” for the spider: under them they build peculiar burrows.
Juveniles, depending on the species, are best kept in a container with minimal equipment in the form of a bedding of shelter substrate and a few small branches for hunting. Large snags to form “high” hunting points for spiders under one year of age should not be placed at all, since young spiders can be injured by falling from them.
Substrate
To keep a tarantula at home, soil (substrate) must be present in the terrarium in order to bring the conditions of its keeping closer to its natural habitat. Naturally occurring substrate can be used as bedding for the spider. The simplest and most common option is a mixture of soil, peat and sand. You can also try other naturally occurring materials: gravel, pebbles or vermiculite.
The substrate in the terrarium should be completely replaced every six months.
Temperature
The temperature inside the terrarium should be kept between 23-28 degrees. At low temperatures, the tarantula may experience problems with the digestive system, putrefactive processes may begin in it, which will lead to the death of the animal. At temperatures below 15 degrees the spider will hibernate.
Humidity
Humidity should be between 75-80 percent. It is worth raising it higher only during molting, so that the spider’s body does not suffer from dehydration. If the humidity is below 75%, the spider will hibernate, and if exposed to a dry climate for a long time, it will die.
A water heater is an excellent solution for maintaining both temperature and humidity within normal limits. It will allow you not to waste extra time spraying the terrarium space with water.
Lighting
Lighting plays an important role in the life of spiders, as does climate. Indoor lighting will be enough for small spiders. Adults can install low-voltage lamps up to 25 watts. In large terrariums where there are plants and large shady areas, fluorescent lamps can be installed.
You should not place the terrarium or container in sunlight, because the spider can simply be boiled alive.
Features of a scorpion bite
The scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus) is a poisonous spider widespread in the world. In Russia it lives in southern latitudes. A structural feature of the scorpion, unlike other arthropods, is the presence of pedipalps with claws; at the end of the abdomen there is a curved sharp sting where the duct of the poisonous glands opens. The most dangerous is the black scorpion, its size is 50-100 mm.
Scorpion venom binds to sodium channels in cell membranes, causing neurons to re-activate. This is accompanied by a prolongation of the neuronal action potential at the synapses of the autonomic nervous system, which leads to an increase in the blood levels of catecholamines, renin and aldosterone.
Symptoms of poisoning from a scorpion sting
The bite causes severe pain, which quickly spreads along the nerve trunks. The victim screams in pain, severe weakness develops, cramps of individual muscle groups occur, blood pressure rises, and the body becomes covered in cold, sticky sweat. A urticarial rash appears in the bite area. In severe cases, motor agitation develops, arterial hypertension turns into hypotension, tachyarrhythmia, ventricular extrasystoles, vomiting, profuse sweating, priapism, and salivation occur.
Increasing visual impairment, ptosis, involuntary contractions of the tongue muscles are noted, and speech becomes slurred. Within 2-3 hours after the introduction of the toxin into the body, breathing is impaired and pulmonary edema develops. Death occurs due to the phenomena of increasing acute cardiovascular and respiratory failure.
When assessing the degree of toxicity of arthropod venom, the following was noted:
- tarantula venom is less toxic than that of karakurt and scorpion;
- The poison of karakurt and scorpion (belongs to toxalbumin) is more toxic than snakes (~ 15 times). However, fatal poisonings are much less common. This is due to the smaller amount of poison.
allergic reaction to a scorpion sting
