What is Poisonous to Spiders?
WouterDespite their reputation as dangerous predators, only a small number of spiders are poisonous. They only bite when they feel threatened. Those that are venomous release their toxins when they inhale them. Some of them can cause skin lesions and allergic reactions.
One of the most dangerous arachnids is the funnel-web spider. Its venom can kill humans in minutes. The venom is made up of large amounts of peptides that delay voltage-dependent sodium channels. The venom of this spider causes a syndrome known as “funnel-web spider syndrome”.
The most common venomous spiders in the United States are the black widow, brown recluse, violin spider, and the six-eyed sand spider. These spiders live in a variety of habitats, including plants, woodpiles, and burrows. They are most common in areas where there is little human contact.
Black widow spiders are found in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. They are characterized by a distinctive hourglass-shaped mark on their abdomen. Male spiders are smaller than females. They also have longer legs. The females have a shiny black body with a red hourglass design on the underside of their abdomen. In addition to their body markings, some species of black widow have two small triangles instead of a full hourglass.
Yellow sac spiders are found in Mexico and South America. Their venom is considered a cytotoxin, meaning that it damages cells. The venom is also known to produce necrotizing lesions. Symptoms include pain and swelling. In some cases, the venom can cause nausea and vomiting.
